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The local rules of administration of the Washington County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 court, covering the precinct court's practice and decorum, filing and setting procedures, and case-management timelines, with adoption/amendment by the justice of the peace and publication through the Office of Court Administration; the Washington County JP courts may promulgate interim orders affecting local practice by majority vote for emergencies, pilot programs, or other reasonable needs.
Texas > Washington County > Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4.
[Seal: County of Washington, The State of Texas, The Birthplace of Texas] WASHINGTON COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT FOUR LOCAL RULES OF ADMINISTRATION Table of Contents RULE 1 – General 1.1 – Objective 1.2 – Scope 1.3 – Jurisdiction 1.4 – Organization 1.5 – Calendar 1.6 – Bench Exchange 1.7 – Transfer of Cases Within Washington County 1.7.1 – Criminal Cases 1.7.2 – Eviction Cases 1.7.3 – Civil Cases 1.8 – Review 1.9 – Recording or Broadcasting of Court Proceedings RULE 2 – Rules of Decorum 2.1 – General Rules of Conduct 2.2 – Dress Code 2.3 – Electronic Devices RULE 3 – Civil Cases 3.1 – Filing of Civil Cases 3.2 – Setting Cases 3.3 – Demand for Jury 3.4 – Provision and Cost of Copies 3.5 – Provision of Self-Addressed, Postage-Paid Envelopes 3.6 – Postponing Trial / Continuances 3.7 – Conflicting Engagements of Attorneys 3.8 – Assignment and Transfer of Cases 3.9 – Dismissal for Want of Prosecution 3.9.1 – Case Selection 3.9.2 – Procedures for Retaining Cases and Objecting to Motions to Retain 3.10 – Drafts of Orders and Judgments RULE 4 – Criminal Cases 4.1 – Filing of Criminal Cases 4.2 – Transfer of Pending Criminal Cases 4.3 – Order of Transfer 4.4 – Court Appearance 4.5 – Plea of Guilty or Nolo Contendere (No Contest) 4.6 – Plea of Not Guilty 4.7 – Setting of Cases 4.8 – Court Appointed Attorneys 4.9 – Withdrawal or Substitution of Counsel 4.10 – Jury Selection 4.11 – Conflicting Engagements of Attorneys RULE 5 – Adoption, Amendment, Notice 5.1 – Procedure for Adoption and Amendment of Local Rules 5.2 – Notice and Publication of Rules 5.3 – Interim Orders Affecting Local Practice RULE 1 GENERAL 1.1 Objective Whereas, Section 27.061, Texas Government Code, requires that the Justices of the Peace in each county adopt local rules of administration; and Section 15.0821 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code requires the transfer of pending civil cases from one precinct to a different precinct; and Article 4.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure requires the Justices of the Peace in every county to adopt local rules of administration regarding the transfer of a pending misdemeanor case from one precinct to a different precinct, the Precinct Four Justice of the Peace of Washington County does hereby adopt the following local rules of administration to provide for the administration, assignment, docketing, transfer, and hearing of cases. These rules are promulgated to provide a uniform system for the fair, impartial, and prompt disposition of matters before the Precinct Four Justice Court of Washington County in accordance with the Texas statutes. Any interpretation of the following rules should be consistent with this objective. 1.2 Scope These rules govern cases and hearings within the Precinct Four Justice Court of Washington County, Texas. 1.3 Jurisdiction The Precinct Four Justice Court of Washington County hears all cases over which they have statutory or constitutional powers. Those civil cases within statutory limits, criminal cases where the punishment is fine only, administrative hearings, inquests, peace bond hearings, and any other hearings or cases over which a justice court has statutory or administrative authority. 1.4 Organization There are four Justice Courts in Washington County. Each court presides over a specific geographical area of Washington County. Precinct 1 serves the Independence and Old Washington areas as well as the northeastern portion of the county, Precinct 2 serves the City of Chappell Hill and the southeastern portion of the county, Precinct 3 serves the Gay Hill and Rehburg areas as well as the northwestern portion of the county, Precinct 4 serves the city of Burton and the west and southwestern portions of the county. Each court is a separate entity with their own clerks and individual dockets. 1.5 Calendar Each Justice Court will keep a docket of scheduled hearings and trials. Dockets shall be made available to the public. Each Judge is responsible for informing other Judges of their absences for vacation, extended illness, training, or other reason and ensure that, when required, another judge preforms the duties of the absent judge through a bench exchange. 1.6 Bench Exchange Any judge of a Justice Court in Washington County may act as the judge of any other Justice Court in Washington County. This may occur for a recusal of the original judge, temporary absence of the original judge, or other reason deemed necessary by the original judge. 1.7 Transfer of Cases Within Washington County 1.7.1 Criminal Cases In a criminal case where the venue has been challenged by the defendant and the presiding judge has granted a change of venue to the proper court or the defendant and the state have a written agreement to change the venue to the court, the case shall be transferred to the Justice Court with proper venue. 1.7.2 Eviction Cases Eviction cases must be heard in the precinct in which the property is located. In the instance that the presiding judge cannot hear an eviction case in their precinct a bench exchange (Rule 1.6) shall apply. 1.7.3 Civil Cases Civil cases shall be heard in the precinct in which they are filed, unless a transfer has been ordered under Rule 3.12 of these rules. In a case where the judge cannot hear the case, the presiding judge may either transfer the case to another justice court in Washington County, or request another judge hear the case by bench exchange under Rule 1.6 of these rules. 1.8 Review These rules shall be reviewed every four years upon election to office of the Justices of the Peace of Washington County. 1.9 Recording or Broadcasting of Court Proceedings Unless written permission is obtained from the presiding Justice of the Peace, recording or broadcasting of court proceedings is prohibited. RULE 2 RULES OF DECORUM 2.1 General Rules of Conduct All officers of the court, except for the Judge and jurors, and all other participants shall promptly enter the courtroom before the scheduled time for each court session. When the bailiff calls the Court to order, complete order should be observed. During court proceedings all participants shall refer to all other participants respectfully and impersonally, proper titles and surnames shall be used rather than first names, nicknames, or other names. During court proceedings all participants should show common decency and respect to the court and other participants by remaining quiet and not disrupt proceedings. 2.2 Dress Code Proper attire shall be worn to all court proceedings. All officers of the Court are expected to dress appropriately and professionally. Court participants should dress appropriately, this includes: (1) No bare midriffs or tank tops (2) No hats (3) Shorts should not be worn (4) Shoes must be worn (5) No sunglasses Attorneys shall be responsible for informing their clients and witnesses of the formalities of the courts, including appropriate dress code 2.3 Electronic Devices Handheld electronic devices should not be used during court proceedings, other than those required for use during a hearing. Including but not limited to laptop computers, tablets, cellular phones, and smart watches. Videography, photography, and audio recording are prohibited without permission from the presiding Judge during all court proceedings. This includes handheld electronic devices such as tablets, cellular phones, and smart devices. Persons found violating this policy may be held in contempt of court. RULE 3 CIVIL CASES 3.1 Filing of Civil Cases All civil cases filed in Washington County Precinct Four Justice Court shall be filed in accordance with Part V of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (TRCP), Rules of Practice in Justice Courts. It is the responsibility of the party filing a case to ensure the case is filed in the proper court. 3.2 Setting Cases All justice court cases are to be brought to trial or final disposition as promptly as practicable. Each Justice Court shall be responsible for the setting of hearings and trials in each court and for the notices thereof. 3.3 Demand for Jury A party requesting a civil jury trial shall file a written request to the court no later than 14 days before the date a case is set for trial. If the demand is not timely, then the right to a jury trial is waived, unless the late filing is excused by the presiding judge for good cause. Jury fees are to be paid at the time the request is submitted to the court. Once either party requests a jury trial, that request cannot be withdrawn without written approval of both parties. Jury fees are nonrefundable. 3.4 Provision and Cost of Copies In accordance with Part V of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (TCRP), parties in Justice Court suits are responsible for providing an adequate number of copies of petitions and accompanying documents filed with the court for all parties being served. A Court may assess fees to the party who fails to comply with TCRP, in order to provide necessary copies of documents to parties, up to $1.00 for a titled documents first page and $0.25 for each additional page of the document. 3.5 Provision of Self-Addressed, Postage-Paid Envelopes A party desiring to have file-stamped copies of any document returned to them by mail, shall include with the original document to be filed a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope for the court’s return. 3.6 Postponing Trial / Continuances When practicable, prior to filing a motion for continuance, the party seeking a continuance in a justice civil case should attempt to confer with the opposing party or parties in an effort to secure an agreement to the delay. Requests for continuance must be submitted to the court in writing at least three business days preceding the date of the trial or hearing, unless it may be shown that the grounds for the request arose thereafter. The notice and pleading requirement of law must be followed. Motions for continuance may be granted or denied with or without a hearing by the court. 3.7 Conflicting Engagements of Attorneys An attorney who is, or is scheduled, to be in trial in another court, will, in writing and as soon as the conflict becomes apparent, inform the Justice Court of the case number and the court in which the conflicting case is being tried. When informed that an attorney is in trial, the Court will verify the assignment. The case will be reset upon confirmation. If the attorney is not actually in trial as represented by the attorney or agent, the case may be tried without further notice. An attorney who requests a reset under this rule is responsible for ensuring the motion was granted by the presiding judge. An attorney assigned to trial in two separate courts in Washington County for the same date must inform both courts of the conflict, in writing, as soon as the conflict becomes apparent. The Justices of the Peace will confer on which case has priority, with consideration given to the following: (1) Jury Trials (2) Criminal Cases (3) Cases given preference by statute (4) Cases with the earliest filing date 3.8 Assignment and Transfer of Cases Notwithstanding other provisions of law regarding venue, a civil case in justice court, shall be heard by the court in which the case was filed, unless presented with a proper motion by a party in accordance with Part V of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, at which time the motion will be set for a hearing, if required by the court. If the motion is granted, the Justice of the Peace will: Transfer the case to another Justice Court in Washington County, or another County and Precinct having proper venue and jurisdiction; or If the presiding judge is disqualified from hearing the case, transfer the case to another Justice of the Peace in Washington County by bench exchange. An order transferring the case shall identify the court to which the case is being transferred and a copy of the order shall be delivered to each party or their attorney of record. If the motion is denied, the case will be heard in the court in which the plaintiff initially filed the suit. 3.9 Dismissal for Want of Prosecution by the Court 3.9.1 Case Selection The following cases are eligible for dismissal for want of prosecution sua sponte by the Court in which the case is filed: (1) Cases on file for more than 120 days in which no answer has been filed; (2) Cases that have been on file for more than 12 months that are not set for trial and have had no filings or settings within the prior 180 days; (3) Any other case designated by the court that has not had sufficient activity to remain on the docket. 3.9.2 Procedures for Retaining Cases and Objecting to Motions to Retain Motions to retain shall be filed with the Court at least 10 business days prior to the date specified for the dismissal for want of prosecution. Any party who files a motion to retain shall state in writing the factual and legal basis why the case should not be dismissed for want of prosecution. Parties objecting to a motion to retain shall provide the Court and the opposing party in writing the basis for any objection to the motion to retain within 3 days of service of a motion to retain. If either party wishes to provide oral arguments, they must request so in their motion or objection. The Court may rule on the motion with or without a hearing. 3.10 Drafts of Orders and Judgments As far as practicable, every draft of an order or judgment to be signed by a judge should be approved as to form by attorneys for all parties prior to being presented to the judge. A draft of an order or judgement shall its own page and not typed on the same page as a pleading, motion, certificate of service, or any part thereof. Each draft shall have a proper heading including the cause number, the style of the case, and the court in which the case is pending. The court may decide to use the presented orders and judgments or prepare their own. RULE 4 CRIMINAL CASES 4.1 Filing of Criminal Cases Justice Court cases shall generally be filed: In the precinct where the offense is alleged to have occurred; or In the precinct in which the defendant resides 4.2 Transfer of Pending Criminal Cases Unless otherwise provided by a more specific Local Rule, the transfer of a criminal case from one Washington County Justice of the Peace to another Washington County Justice of the Peace in which the offense was committed or in which the defendant resides, may be made by the Justice of the Peace Court in which the case is pending. 4.3 Order of Transfer In the instance that a case is transferred under Rule 4.2, of these rules, an order transferring the case shall identify the court to which the case is being transferred and a copy of the order shall be delivered to each party and/or their attorney of record. 4.4 Court Appearance Unless otherwise directed by the court, defendants shall appear at the Justice Court in which the case is filed, according to the date and time specified on their citation or summons. Subsequent appearances will be scheduled by the court in which the case is pending. 4.5 Plea of Guilty or Nolo Contendere (No Contest) Defendants, or their attorney of record, may enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere at any time, with or without a plea agreement. Guilty and nolo contendere pleas may be made in person, at the bench, by mail, or other correspondence designated as acceptable by the presiding judge. In accordance with Article 27.14(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure when a defendant makes a payment in full that payment constitutes a plea of nolo contendere by the defendant, even without a written plea. 4.6 Plea of Not Guilty Defendants, or their attorney of record, may enter a plea of not guilty at any time. Upon entering a plea of not guilty the defendant may be set to either a pretrial docket or a trial docket. An appearance bond (personal bond only) may be required by the presiding judge at the time such plea is entered. A defendant who refuses to enter a plea shall be deemed to have entered a plea of not guilty and set to a pretrial docket or trial docket. 4.7 Setting of Cases Each Justice Court in Washington County maintains its own criminal docket, which are available from each respective court. Attorneys or defendants may request a reset of an appearance no later than 24 hours before the setting, unless the circumstances justify the request for reset occur thereafter as determined by the presiding judge. Each Justice Court may stipulate its own rules as to the number of resets allowed on specific types of cases. 4.8 Court Appointed Attorneys Indigent defendants are not entitled to a court appointed attorney, as a matter of law, when charged with an offense punishable by fine only. 4.9 Withdrawal or Substitution of Counsel An attorney becomes an attorney of record in a misdemeanor case by listing his or her name on pleadings, by correspondence with the court indicating such, or by setting or resetting the case. He or she remains the attorney of record until relieved by written order of the court. If an attorney is to be substituted as an attorney for the party, the court must receive written notification of the substitution prior to continuing with the case. The notification shall include the original attorney’s information, the substitute attorney’s information, and the defendant’s information for whom the substitution is occurring. 4.10 Jury Selection The Precinct Four Justice Court of Washington County utilize the same jury selection as the Washington County Court at Law and the 21st and 335th District Court. When this process does not yield an appropriate number of jurors to build a pool, the presiding judge may order the Constable in the precinct to hand deliver jury summons to Washington County residents chosen at random in public places in Washington County. 4.11 Conflicting Engagements of Attorneys An attorney who is, or is scheduled, to be in trial in another court, will, in writing and as soon as the conflict becomes apparent, inform the Justice Court of the case number and the court in which the conflicting case is being tried. When informed that an attorney is in trial, the Court will verify the assignment. The case will be reset upon confirmation. If the attorney is not actually in trial as represented by the attorney or agent, the case may be tried without further notice. An attorney who requests a reset under this rule is responsible for ensuring the motion was granted by the presiding judge. An attorney be assigned to trial in two separate courts in Washington County for the same date must inform both courts of the conflict, in writing, as soon as the conflict becomes apparent. The Justices of the Peace will confer on which case has priority, with consideration given to the following: (1) Jury Trials (2) Cases given preference by statute (3) Cases with the earliest filing date RULE 5 ADOPTION, AMENDMENT, NOTICE 5.1 Procedure for Adoption and Amendment of Local Rules The Local Rules of Administration of Washington County Precinct Four Justice of the Peace Court may be adopted or amended by the Judge of the Justice Court. 5.2 Notice and Publication of Rules Once the local rules of administration or any amendments have been approved by the judges of the Washington County Justice of the Peace courts, the rules or amendments shall be published and made available to the Bar and the public through the Office of Court Administration website. 5.3 Interim Orders Affecting Local Practice The judges of the Washington County Justice of the Peace Courts may from time to time promulgate by majority vote interim orders affecting local practice for the purpose of emergency action, testing of pilot programs, or other actions the judges deem reasonable and necessary.
Reviewer note: Text-layer registration read; Rule 5 adoption/amendment provisions quoted verbatim (the precinct's practice/decorum/setting rules precede it). Composed benchpath-ajr2-quad. Applicability 2026-09-09 (fix program 2026-09-09, Phase 5, audit M7): specific -> universal — the row binds every court in its state/circuit/county scope and names no court, judge or division. [RECOMPOSED 2026-09-21 (corpus-0920 P7, digital-layer lane): the full text of the registered file (sha256 3c12a6cf4dd7..., 12 pages) replaces the earlier 644-character abstract. Method: pypdfium2 text layer reflowed page-aware, cross-checked word-by-word against PyMuPDF (0 substantive difference(s), 12 page-furniture), owner-corpus candidate sentences 100% (38/38) matched, 0 running header/footer line(s) removed, no U+FFFD/U+FFFE/form-feed debris. NOT yet checked page by page against the render, so confidence is medium with an open re-verification task; flip to high when a reviewer has read every page against the PDF. benchpath-tx-corpus0920-p7-2026-09-21] [BY-EYE CHECK 2026-09-21 (corpus-0920 P11): every page of the registered file (sha256 3c12a6cf4dd7..., 12 page(s)) read against the rendered PDF; file-stamp, caption and signature-block defects of the text layer corrected from the render; confidence lifted to high. benchpath-tx-corpus0920-p11-2026-09-21]