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Public access to pleadings, orders and documents filed in suits brought by the Department of Family and Protective Services under Chapters 261, 262 and 264 of the Texas Family Code is restricted; the District Clerks of the six counties may release them only to DFPS, the parties, their attorneys, the attorney ad litem and the guardian ad litem unless the Court specifically permits access for good cause shown.
Applies to DFPS suits under Texas Family Code chapters 261, 262 and 264 in the 24th, 135th and 267th District Courts in Jackson County (and, by the same instrument, the other five counties and the 377th). Procedural information only; not legal advice.
IN THE DISTRICT COURTS OF CALHOUN, DEWITT, GOLIAD, JACKSON, REFUGIO, VICTORIA COUNTY, TEXAS, 24TH, 135TH, 267TH, 377TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT — STANDING ORDER REGARDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO DFPS COURT RECORDS. On the 24th day of May, 2024, the Court considered the following and issues findings and orders related to pleadings, orders, and documents filed in a suit brought by the Department of Family and Protective Services, (hereinafter referred to as "DFPS") pursuant to Chapters 261, 262, and 264 of the Texas Family Code. The Court finds that the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) generally requires that states preserve the confidentiality of all child abuse and neglect reports and records to protect the rights of the child and the child's parents or guardians. 42 U.S.C.A. 5106a(b)(2)(B)(viii). The Court finds that CAPTA provides for the use of discretion regarding public access to court proceedings involving child and abuse cases, provided that the State, "at a minimum, ensure(s) the safety and well-being of the child, parent, and families." 42 U.S.C.A. 5106a(b)(2). The Court finds that the plain language of Texas Family Code 261.201 deems DFPS records of alleged and abuse or neglect to be confidential and not subject to public release absent a court order following an in-camera inspection and a finding of necessity. The Court finds that these pleadings, orders, and documents contain sensitive information regarding children who have been or may have been abused or neglected by parties responsible for their care. The Court finds that these pleadings, orders, and documents contain sensitive information regarding family members, specifically regarding the parents of the children who may be alleged perpetrators of abuse or neglect. The Court finds that because of the sensitive information contained within these pleadings, orders, and documents, it is necessary to restrict public access to these pleadings, orders, and documents. The Court finds that restricting public access to these pleadings, orders, and documents would protect the privacy rights of both children and other family members, including the parents of the children. The Court further finds that it has authority to control access to its own records. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that public access to pleadings, orders, and documents filed in a suit brought by DFPS pursuant to Chapters 261, 262, and 264 of the Texas Family Code are to be restricted and shall be maintained by the District Clerk of Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Jackson, Refugio, Victoria Counties as such. The Clerk of the Court shall not allow public access to these pleadings, orders, and documents other than to DFPS, the parties, their attorneys, the attorney ad litem and the guardian ad litem unless specifically permitted and ordered by this Court, for good cause shown. SIGNED this 24th day of May, 2024. [signature] LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE. Filed June 3, 2024, Anna Kabela, District Clerk, Calhoun County, Texas.
IN THE DISTRICT COURTS OF CALHOUN, DEWITT, GOLIAD, JACKSON, REFUGIO, VICTORIA COUNTY, TEXAS, 24TH, 135TH, 267TH, 377TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT — STANDING ORDER REGARDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO DFPS COURT RECORDS. On the 24th day of May, 2024, the Court considered the following and issues findings and orders related to pleadings, orders, and documents filed in a suit brought by the Department of Family and Pro
Reviewer note: Jackson County edition composed 2026-09-08 from the Calhoun County TOPICs registration receipt (the shared-instrument doctrine: the instrument is a joint order of the 24th, 135th, 267th and 377th District Courts for all six counties they serve; Calhoun registered it, Jackson did not). Text identical to the Calhoun edition. Original composition note: Composed 2026-09-07 from the TOPICs custody scan (image-only PDF, two pages, read in full through the vision lane). Signed by the Local Administrative Judge by signature only (no printed name), so no judge join. Bound to Calhoun County as a county edition of the shared instrument.
A standing order of the 97th Judicial District Court sealing the files in cases in which Child Protective Services or the Department of Family and Protective Services appears as petitioner, in the counties comprising the 97th Judicial District.
Dallas County Standing Order Regarding Children, Pets, Property and Conduct of the Parties (Family District Courts General Orders, current edition F2026/05, revised Jan. 31, 2026 — a re-adoption of the same operative text by the current bench: Hon. Kim Brown (254th), Vonda Bailey (255th), Sandre Streete (256th), Ashley Wysocki (301st), Sandra Jackson (302nd), LaDeitra Adkins (303rd), and Andrea D. Plumlee (330th)), as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/11/2023). The order "applies in every divorce suit and every suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed in Dallas County" automatically, without request: child-disruption prohibitions, pet protection, party-conduct restraints, divorce-case property/records/insurance freezes with specific authorizations, mandatory petition attachment, and its TRO-to-temporary-injunction lifecycle.