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Court Rules
Judge

Judge John Roach Jr.

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Collin County District Courts

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Trial Summary
1 pgs

Communication

Email
296@co.collin.tx.us
Scheduling
Cases:
Filters:

Page & Word Limits1 rule

Page LimitsMandatoryCivil cases

This summary is intended to be an aid for the Court and should be limited to one page.

Page limit
Up to 1 page
296plan · p. 2|SectionFormal Pre-Trial Conference

Document Format Requirements2 rules

FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

Do not leave any blanks on this order.

benchtrialdiscoverycontrolplanandschedulingorder · p. 1|SectionBENCH TRIAL DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN AND SCHEDULING ORDER
FormattingImportantCivil cases

Proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) emailed in editable Word format to the court coordinator.

File type
Word
Applies to
  • Proposed jury charges
296plan · p. 1|SectionFormal Pre-Trial Conference

Document Filing Requirements6 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Completed witness lists and exhibit lists.

296plan · p. 1|SectionFormal Pre-Trial Conference
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) emailed in editable Word format to the court coordinator.

296plan · p. 1|SectionFormal Pre-Trial Conference
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Each party must pre-mark all exhibits for identification, preferably using descriptive party-specific labels.

Court's wording

All exhibits pre-marked for identification (for the purpose of stipulating to the authenticity and admissibility of exhibits). The Court prefers descriptive marking, for example “H-1” for husband’s exhibits or “M-1” for mother’s exhibits, as appropriate.

296plan · p. 2|SectionFormal Pre-Trial Conference
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

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.

296plan · p. 2|SectionFormal Pre-Trial Conference
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

Filers must still provide a certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules.

Must include

  • Certificate of service
supplemental-order-regarding-trial-proceedings · Aug 2026 · p. 3|SectionAutomated Certificate of eService
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

Within seven (7) days of this Order, counsel for each party shall serve a copy on all Covered Persons and file a Certificate of Compliance confirming notice.

order-regulating-trial-proceedings-final · May 2026 · p. 6|Section8. NOTICE & CERTIFICATION

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Absent good cause, Daubert/Dupont expert challenges must be heard by the 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

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

Pretrial motions must be filed at least 10 days before the formal pretrial conference, heard at that conference, and not heard on jury-selection day without prior court permission.

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. 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

Pretrial motions must be filed 10 days before the formal pretrial conference, heard at that conference, and not heard on jury-selection day without prior court permission.

All Pre-Trial motions (Motions in Limine, etc.) shall be filed 10 days before the formal pretrial conference and will be heard at the formal pretrial conference. The Court will not hear pre-trial motions on the day of jury selection, without obtaining prior leave of Court.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference

Discovery requests must be propounded sufficiently early to permit a timely response by the applicable deadline.

Discovery requests must be propounded in adequate time to allow a timely response by the deadline.

Civil cases

Page 1 | BENCH TRIAL DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN AND SCHEDULING ORDER

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Within seven days after entry of the order, each party's counsel must serve all Covered Persons and file a Certificate of Compliance confirming notice.

Within seven (7) days of this Order, counsel for each party shall serve a copy on all Covered Persons and file a Certificate of Compliance confirming notice.

Criminal cases

Page 6 | 8. NOTICE & CERTIFICATION

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Pretrial motions are to be heard at the formal pretrial conference rather than on jury-selection day absent prior leave of court.

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. 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

Pretrial motions are to be heard at the formal pretrial conference rather than on jury-selection day absent prior leave of court.

All Pre-Trial motions (Motions in Limine, etc.) shall be filed 10 days before the formal pretrial conference and will be heard at the formal pretrial conference. The Court will not hear pre-trial motions on the day of jury selection, without obtaining prior leave of Court.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference

Unless good cause is shown, Daubert/Dupont expert challenges must be heard no later than the formal pretrial.

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

Chambers Communication Rules

Email the court at 296@co.collin.tx.us for instructions if opposing counsel or a party will not sign the order or agree to a trial date.

If you cannot get an opposing counsel or party to sign this order or agree to a trial date, please email the court at 296@co.collin.tx.us for further instructions.

Civil cases

Page 1 | BENCH TRIAL DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN AND SCHEDULING ORDER

Media inquiries, media-access requests, and communications about courtroom procedures and media coverage must be directed through the designated Public Information Officer unless the court orders otherwise; the PIO may be contacted at 469.500.0470.

All media inquiries, requests concerning media access, and communications regarding courtroom procedures and media coverage shall be directed through the Court’s designated PIO, unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Russell Schaffner, Deputy County Administrator, 469.500.0470, rschaffner@co.collin.tx.us

Criminal cases

Page 1 | Public Information Officer

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 48 rules apply across Collin County District Courts. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 24
  • Applies to
    Confidential material

    A party seeking confidentiality for a document, item, information, or material must mark it “Confidential” with the party’s name or initials immediately preceding that designation on the first page or outer cover.

  • Applies to
    Deposition testimony

    Deposition testimony concerning confidential documents must be designated during the deposition and transcribed in a separately marked confidential volume, while corresponding blank pages are inserted in the main transcript.

  • Applies to
    Confidential deposition notice

    A party may designate deposition information as confidential by giving all parties written notice, within 30 days after receiving the transcript, identifying the specific pages and lines to be treated as confidential.

Sealing

All 10

  • Documents designated as Confidential that are used in filed papers must be submitted in a labeled, sealed envelope and maintained under court seal.

  • A document may carry a sensitive-data notice when inclusion of the data is required by law, but the notice is prohibited when no such legal requirement applies.

  • Attorneys and self-represented litigants must redact sensitive data before filing and must submit a redacted substitute if unredacted sensitive information was previously filed.

Filing Timing

All 4

  • An ex parte application must be filed and assigned to a court before presentation to a judge, and the applicant must notify the judge whether related litigation is pending.

  • Within 30 days after reported settlement, rendition, or verdict, the parties must submit a written final judgment stating whether all parties approve it as to form or substance.

  • If the defense files a written motion for additional particularized discovery concerning a matter not addressed in the Standing Order, it must be presented at the earliest opportunity before trial.

E-Filing

All 3

  • Attorneys must file documents through the electronic filing system.

  • Every electronic filing must comply with Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21 and all other applicable electronic-filing rules and standards.

  • Self-represented litigants may elect electronic filing or submit documents directly to the district clerk.

More categories

View all Collin County District Courts rules
About Judge John Roach Jr.
  • Court: 296th District Court
  • Address: 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney, Texas, 75071
  • Main: (972) 548-4409
  • Court coordinator: Tammy Sharkey
  • Coordinator phone: (972) 548-4409
  • Coordinator email: tlsharkey@co.collin.tx.us
Common questions about Judge John Roach Jr.'s rules

Does Judge John Roach Jr. require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Pretrial motions are to be heard at the formal pretrial conference rather than on jury-selection day absent prior leave of court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Formal Pre-Trial Conference

What page or word limits apply to trial summary before Judge John Roach Jr.?

Judge John Roach Jr.'s rule states these limits: 1 pages. The trial summary should not exceed one page.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Formal Pre-Trial Conference

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge John Roach Jr.?

Judge John Roach Jr.'s formatting rule includes file format docx. Proposed jury charges must be prepared in editable Word format and emailed to the court coordinator.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Formal Pre-Trial Conference

What must be included with trial summary filings before Judge John Roach Jr.?

Each party must provide a concise trial summary stating each cause of action, its elements, applicable defenses, and an appropriate precise damages standard.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Formal Pre-Trial Conference

What must be included with witness list filings before Judge John Roach Jr.?

Each party must produce completed witness lists at the pretrial conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Formal Pre-Trial Conference

How may parties contact Judge John Roach Jr.'s chambers?

The rule lists email 296@co.collin.tx.us. Email the court at 296@co.collin.tx.us for instructions if opposing counsel or a party will not sign the order or agree to a trial date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section BENCH TRIAL DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN AND SCHEDULING ORDER

What filing deadlines does Judge John Roach Jr. set?

All dispositive motions must be filed and heard at least 30 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section JURY TRIAL DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN AND SCHEDULING ORDER

What rule applies to service for gag order copy before Judge John Roach Jr.?

Within seven days after entry of the order, each party's counsel must serve all Covered Persons and file a Certificate of Compliance confirming notice.

View ruleSource: page 6, section 8. NOTICE & CERTIFICATION
Complete rules summary for Judge John Roach Jr.

Each party must provide a concise trial summary stating each cause of action, its elements, applicable defenses, and an appropriate precise damages standard.

All dispositive motions must be filed and heard at least 30 days before trial.

Pretrial motions must be filed at least 10 days before the formal pretrial conference, heard at that conference, and not heard on jury-selection day without prior court permission.

Pretrial motions are to be heard at the formal pretrial conference rather than on jury-selection day absent prior leave of court.

Absent good cause, Daubert/Dupont expert challenges must be heard by the formal pretrial, with written objections filed at least 10 days before the hearing.

Unless good cause is shown, Daubert/Dupont expert challenges must be heard no later than the formal pretrial.

Proposed jury charges must be prepared in editable Word format and emailed to the court coordinator.

Each party must produce completed witness lists at the pretrial conference.

The trial summary should not exceed one page.

Pretrial motions must be filed 10 days before the formal pretrial conference, heard at that conference, and not heard on jury-selection day without prior court permission.

Pretrial motions are to be heard at the formal pretrial conference rather than on jury-selection day absent prior leave of court.

Each party must email proposed jury instructions, definitions, and questions to the court coordinator at the pretrial conference.

Each party must pre-mark all exhibits for identification, preferably using descriptive party-specific labels.

Discovery requests must be propounded sufficiently early to permit a timely response by the applicable deadline.

Email the court at 296@co.collin.tx.us for instructions if opposing counsel or a party will not sign the order or agree to a trial date.

The person completing the order must fill in every field.

Media inquiries, media-access requests, and communications about courtroom procedures and media coverage must be directed through the designated Public Information Officer unless the court orders otherwise; the PIO may be contacted at 469.500.0470.

Filers must provide a certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules.

Within seven days after entry of the order, each party's counsel must serve all Covered Persons and file a Certificate of Compliance confirming notice.

Each party's counsel must file a Certificate of Compliance confirming that the gag order was served on all Covered Persons.

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