Judge Andrea Thompson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Communication
Clerk
Phone
Clerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
This summary is intended to be an aid for the Court and should be limited to one page.
- Page limit
- Up to 1 page
- Trial summary
Document Format Requirements9 rules
B. Any scanned exhibit files must NOT be larger than 100 mb per file.
Audio and video exhibits must be playable by QuickTime, VLC Media Player, or Windows Media Player, using one of the listed accepted formats.
Court's wording
3. Consistent with the JCIT ruling that media can be accepted if it is playable by one of the three major media players: QuickTime, VLC Media Player, or Windows Media Player. Audio/Video formats accepted - .avi, .wmv, .wav, .mpg, .mid, .asf, .mpeg, .mp1, .mp2, .mp3, .mp4, .m4v, .mpg, .ogg, .oga, .ogv, .webm
D. Audio/Video files cannot be larger than 5G. If so, they must be split on the necessary amount of discs.
The documents must be in .pdf format.
- File type
Proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) emailed in editable Word format to the court coordinator.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed jury charges
All exhibits pre-marked for identification (for the purpose of stipulating to the authenticity and admissibility of exhibits).
A. All exhibits must be marked at the bottom right corner when possible.
The Court prefers descriptive marking, for example “H-1” for husband’s exhibits or “M-1” for mother’s exhibits, as appropriate.
C. Scanned photographs – grayscale is encouraged but color is accepted if necessary.
Document Filing Requirements15 rules
If you want to go forward on a motion/hearing without the other side present, you must tender proof of notice to the court either by filing your proof of notice or by offering it as an exhibit for the court reporter.
- Document
- Motion or hearing
Must include
- •Proof of notice
If you are asking the Court to divide property, you must provide a proposed property division which lists all assets and debts.
- Document
- Proposed property division
Must include
- •Lists all assets and debts
A Jury Trial Discovery Control Plan and Scheduling Order (available on the court website) must be completed and signed when the trial is set.
If you are asking the Court to order spousal support or divide expenses, you must provide a financial information statement listing income and expenses.
- Document
- Financial information statement
Must include
- •Listing income and expenses
Temporary Orders may be signed by the Court without the necessity of a hearing under the following circumstances: (1) The order is accompanied by a letter that notifies the opposing counsel/party of their right to object to the order within ten days of the date that the letter was mailed;
A motion to withdraw may be granted without a hearing if it includes a client consent certificate or a certificate from another lawyer confirming retention to represent the client.
Court's wording
A motion to withdraw may be granted without a hearing under the following circumstances: (1) the motion is accompanied by a certificate by the client attesting to the client’s consent to the withdrawal or a certificate by another lawyer attesting that the lawyer has been retained to represent the client in the case;
1. Produce a complete exhibit list at your formal pre-trial conference and exchange with opposing counsel prior to pre-trial.
Please have these ready and turned over to the court reporter at the beginning of trial.
4. If playing depositions by video, a hard copy of the deposition transcript that includes only those excerpts played and a copy of the DVD that will be played for the jury must be presented to the court reporter to be marked as an exhibit (for record purposes only).
Please put only the few items of genuine concern in the TRO so that the court can tell what relief you’re actually requesting.
Completed witness lists and exhibit lists.
Proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) emailed in editable Word format to the court coordinator.
A concise trial summary: State each separate cause of action including each element of each cause of action and/or defense; and, if appropriate, a precise legal standard for measure of damages.
If you fail to follow this requirement the court reporter will not maintain these documents in the record.
The subject of the email should be the full cause number and “ – Plaintiff Exhibits” (or cause number “ – Defendant Exhibits”).
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
To set a civil trial, e-file the court's Scheduling Order with the trial date and mediation details completed.
Please e-file the court’s form Scheduling Order (available on the court website) with the trial date and mediation details filled in.
Page 1 | Settings - Civil
A notice of hearing with the hearing date completed must be e-filed.
Please e-file a notice of hearing with the date filled in.
Page 1 | Settings - Civil
Attorneys must e-file requests for ex parte relief electronically and need not appear in person at the courthouse.
Attorneys shall e-file requests for ex parte relief electronically without coming to the courthouse in person.
Page 2 | Ex Parte Relief - TROs, etc.
E-file proposed orders the week of the hearing (minimum 24 hours before hearing).
E-file proposed orders the week of the hearing (minimum 24 hours before hearing).
Page 4 | E-File Proposed Orders
A request for a presentence investigation report must be written and electronically filed with the court at least 30 days before the dispositive setting or the request is waived.
All requests for a PSI must be made in writing and e-filed with the Court no less than 30 days before a dispositive setting, or is deemed waived.
Page 5 | Request for PSI
If an agreed trial date cannot be obtained after several attempts, e-file a proposed scheduling order and a letter describing the efforts made.
If, after several attempts, you are not able to get an agreed date, please e-file a proposed scheduling order with a letter describing your efforts.
Page 1 | Settings - Civil
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Potentially dispositive civil or family motions must be filed and heard at least 30 days before trial.
All potentially dispositive civil/family motions (summary judgment, plea to the jurisdiction, plea in abatement, etc.) must be filed AND HEARD at least 30 days before trial.
Page 2 | Settings - Civil
A PSI request must be e-filed no less than 30 days before the dispositive setting; failure to do timely waives the request.
All requests for a PSI must be made in writing and e-filed with the Court no less than 30 days before a dispositive setting, or is deemed waived.
Page 5 | Request for PSI
If a defendant is set for trial, all pleas must be completed on or before the pretrial stage.
If set for a Trial all pleas must been done on or before Pre-Trial
Page 5 | Dispositive Settings
All dispositive motions must be filed and heard at least 30 days before trial.
All dispositive motions (summary judgment, plea to jurisdiction, plea in abatement, etc.) must be filed and heard at least 30 days before trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | JURY TRIAL DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN AND SCHEDULING ORDER
Pre-trial motions must be filed at least 10 days before the formal pretrial conference and will be heard at that conference.
All pre-trial motions (motions in limine, etc.) shall be filed at least 10 days before the formal pre- trial conference and will be heard at the formal pre-trial conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
Absent good cause, Daubert/Dupont challenges must be heard by formal pretrial, with written objections filed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Unless good cause is shown, all “Daubert/Dupont” expert challenges shall be heard no later than the formal pre-trial, and written objections must be on file at least 10 days before hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
The court will not hear pre-trial motions on the jury-selection day without prior leave of court.
The Court will not hear pre-trial motions on the day of jury selection without prior leave of court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The submitting attorney must certify transmission of the temporary order and objection letter to opposing counsel by eFile or to the opposing party at the last known address or previously used email address, and no objection may be filed.
(2) the submitting attorney certifies that the order and letter were sent to the opposing counsel via eFile, or to the opposing party at their last known address and/or email address if there is previous correspondence with the opposing party via that email; and (3) no objection is filed.
Page 3 | Signing Temporary Orders
A withdrawal motion may proceed without a hearing when the client receives notice of the right to object within ten days, the attorney certifies service by certified and regular mail to the last known address, and no objection is filed.
(2) the motion is accompanied by a letter that notifies the client of the client’s right to object to the withdrawal within ten days of the date that the letter was mailed; the withdrawing attorney certifies that the motion and letter were sent to the client’s last known address by certified and regular mail; and no objection is filed.
Page 3 | Withdrawals
Hearing exhibits must be emailed to all parties, the court reporter, and the Court Coordinator no later than noon on the day before the hearing.
If you intend to offer any exhibits during the hearing you need to email them to all parties, the court reporter (DMoses@co.collin.tx.us) and the Court Coordinator Sjanway@co.collin.tx.us) not later than 12:00 p.m. the day before the hearing.
Page 1 | PROCEDURES FOR LITIGANTS
The court will not consider exhibits that were not timely emailed to the court reporter.
The Court cannot consider any exhibits not emailed to the court reporter in a timely manner.
Page 1 | PROCEDURES FOR LITIGANTS
Documents already electronically filed and accepted into the court’s file do not need to be sent to the court again.
Documents which have been e-filed and accepted into the Courts file need not be re-sent to the Court.
Page 1 | PROCEDURES FOR LITIGANTS
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Parties cannot agree to seal a case; sealing requires court approval after an evidentiary hearing and cannot occur before final trial.
Parties may not agree to seal cases. Sealing requires court approval after an evidentiary hearing. Cases will not be sealed before final trial.
Page 3 | Restrictions on Sealing Cases
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A request, even an agreed request, to continue a trial beyond the one-year anniversary of filing requires a verified continuance motion and hearing.
Requests (even if agreed) to continue a trial date beyond the 1 year anniversary date of filing requires a verified motion for continuance and hearing.
Page 2 | Continuances
Chambers Communication Rules
Email the court coordinator to obtain hearing dates and e-file a completed notice of hearing.
To set a hearing, please email the court coordinator at sjanway@co.collin.tx.us You will be provided with the Court’s available dates and should work with the other side to get an agreed date. Please e-file a notice of hearing with the date filled in.
Page 1 | Settings - Civil
After e-filing an ex parte motion and proposed order, call or email the court coordinator to request action.
If you file a motion requesting ex parte relief and submit your proposed order through e-filing, please call or e-mail the court coordinator to let him know that you want action taken on the request.
Page 2 | Ex Parte Relief - TROs, etc.
Request extra security by emailing the bailiff at least two business days before the hearing.
If you think your case might need extra security, please email the bailiff at 416@co.collin.tx.us at least 2 business days before your hearing so that we can schedule sufficient court security in advance.
Page 1 | Safety / Extra Security
If Tex. Fam. Code §153.009 requires the Court to interview a child, the court will arrange a time with counsel/parties to conduct the interview. Contact the court coordinator at sjanway@co.collin.tx.us the week before your trial date to ensure the court is aware of the request.
If Tex. Fam. Code §153.009 requires the Court to interview a child, the court will arrange a time with counsel/parties to conduct the interview. Contact the court coordinator at sjanway@co.collin.tx.us the week before your trial date to ensure the court is aware of the request.
Page 3 | Child Interviews
If you are requesting to seal a case, please contact the court coordinator at sjanway@co.collin.tx.us to schedule the hearing, which will be held after the final judgment is signed.
If you are requesting to seal a case, please contact the court coordinator at sjanway@co.collin.tx.us to schedule the hearing, which will be held after the final judgment is signed.
Page 3 | Restrictions on Sealing Cases
Criminal appearance settings may be requested by phone at 972-548-4529 or by email.
For appearance settings, contact Todd by phone at 972-548-4529 or email.
Page 4 | Settings - Criminal
Criminal hearing settings must be requested by email to Steven, including the defendant’s name, case number, and attorney’s name.
Please email Steven sjanway@co.collin.tx.us for a setting for a hearing (include Defendant’s name, case number and Attorney’s name).
Page 4 | Settings - Criminal
Email the court coordinator at sjanway@co.collin.tx.us to request a reset date when a civil or family case is affected by a courthouse closure.
If you are set on a civil/family case and the courthouse is closed please email sjanway@co.collin.tx.us for a reset date.
Page 1 | 416th Closure Procedure
For an ex parte or emergency hearing when two days' notice cannot be provided, call the bailiff at 972-548-4529.
ONLY if it is an ex parte/emergency hearing and 2 days’ notice cannot be provided, please call the bailiff at 972-548-4529.
Page 1 | Safety / Extra Security