Collin County District Courts Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Exhibits emailed for a hearing must be in PDF format.

The documents must be in .pdf format.

CRITICAL

Each scanned exhibit file must be no larger than 100 MB.

B. Any scanned exhibit files must NOT be larger than 100 mb per file.

CRITICAL

Audio and video exhibits must be playable by QuickTime, VLC Media Player, or Windows Media Player, using one of the listed accepted formats.

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

CRITICAL

Audio and video files must be no larger than 5G and must be split across the necessary number of discs if they exceed that size.

D. Audio/Video files cannot be larger than 5G. If so, they must be split on the necessary amount of discs.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Documents must be submitted as PDFs.

Documents must be submitted in PDF format.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

In jury cases, each party must provide proposed jury charges in hard copy and by email in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator.

For a jury case, proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) in hard copy and emailed in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator.

CRITICAL

Photograph exhibits must be submitted in PDF, JPG, or PNG format.

Photographs must be submitted in PDF, JPG, or PNG format.

CRITICAL

Each exhibit filename must contain a distinct corresponding identifier.

The filename for each exhibit must include a distinct, corresponding identifier (e.g., “P1,” “P2,”).

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Video-recording exhibits must be submitted in MP4 format.

Video recordings must be submitted in MP4 format.

CRITICALCivil cases

Audio and video exhibits must be provided to the court reporter on a flash drive because the court will not accept recordings in any other format.

If you are offering audios or videos as exhibits, please provide the court reporter your exhibits on a flash drive. The Court cannot accept as an exhibit any video or audio recording that is not on a flash drive.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury instructions, definitions, and questions must be emailed to the court coordinator in editable Word format.

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

CRITICALCivil cases

Audio or video recording devices and transcription programs are prohibited in the courtroom.

Recording devices (audio or video) and transcription programs (Otter.ai; Temi; Amberscript; etc.) are prohibited in the Courtroom.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Format

PDF

Juvenile pay sheets must be submitted by email as one single PDF per case, with the pay sheet first and the billing sheet or appointment order following it when applicable.

Juvenile pay sheets will be submitted by email to the 417@co.collin.tx.us. a. When sent by email, please follow this procedure or it will not be processed by the Auditor i. Scan and submit 1 single pdf, with 1 case per email ii. The 1 pdf should start with the pay sheet first, then be followed by the billing sheet if an hourly case, or be followed by the order appointing investigator/expert you are requesting payment for.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Evidence documents must be submitted in PDF format.

The documents must be in .pdf format.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Format

PDF

Evidence PDFs and related email subjects must use the full cause number and identify the filing as the State’s Exhibits or Respondent’s Exhibits.

The name of the PDF file should be the full cause number and “State’s Exhibits” “(or cause number “– “Respondent’s Exhibits”). Or if you need to email evidence, ensure you email to all parties, the court reporter (kbounds@co.collin.tx.us ) and the court officer (rwilley@co.collin.tx.us ) not later than 12 :00 p.m. the day before the hearing. The subject of the email should be the full cause number and “State’s Exhibits” “(or cause number “– “Respondent’s Exhibits”).

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Each juvenile pay-sheet email must contain one scanned PDF covering one case.

Scan and submit 1 single pdf, with 1 case per email

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Remote-hearing exhibit documents must be PDFs, pre-marked by exhibit number, saved separately, and named using the PEX-number convention.

The documents must be in pdf format and pre-marked (or saved) by Exhibit No. For example, save each exhibit as a separate pdf, and name each pdf as PEX1, PEX2, etc.

CRITICAL

The public may view remote proceedings but may not record them by video or audio.

VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING IS PROHIBITED. The public may view the proceeding while it is happening, but is prohibited from recording the proceeding.

CRITICAL

Counsel must ensure that documents displayed on courtroom monitors are admitted in evidence and, when necessary, redacted to comply with the Court’s rulings.

It is counsel’s responsibility to ensure that documents displayed on monitors have been first admitted in evidence and redacted, if necessary, to comply with the Court’s rulings.

CRITICAL

Exhibits brought to court on the trial day must be premarked, punched on the left, placed in a labeled three-ring binder with numbered tabs, and identified by the offering party.

All exhibits shall be PRE- MARKED, three-hole punched on the left side, and in a three-ring binder notebook with numbered index tabs with the notebook labeled as to which party’s exhibits.

CRITICAL

The attorney calling a remote witness must ensure that the witness has a separate video and audio feed.

The attorney calling the witness is responsible for ensuring the witness has a separate video and audio feed.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

For a jury case, proposed jury charges must be provided to the Court Coordinator in hard copy and by email in editable Word format.

For a jury case, proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) in hard copy and emailed in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator.

CRITICALCivil cases

The person completing the order must fill in every field.

Do not leave any blanks on this order.

CRITICALCivil cases

All exhibits must be given to the court reporter pre-marked for identification.

All exhibits must be produced to the court reporter pre-marked for identification (for the purpose of stipulating to the authenticity and admissibility of exhibits).

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

In a jury case, each party must provide the Court Coordinator with hard-copy and editable Word versions of proposed jury charges on the day of trial.

For a jury case, proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) in hard copy and emailed in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator the day of trial.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Remote-hearing exhibits must be separate PDF files, pre-marked and titled by exhibit number, and named using the PEX1, PEX2 format.

Exhibits must be in .pdf format and pre-marked and titled by Exhibit No. For example, save each exhibit as a separate pdf, and name each pdf as PEX1, PEX2, etc.

CRITICAL

All signatures on the agreed divorce decree must be distinctive written or DocuSign-style signatures, not typed-name signature blocks.

All signatures are distinctive written signatures or DocuSign-style signatures, not “/s/ Typed Name;”

CRITICAL

Remote-hearing exhibits must be marked numerically on the first page with the offering party and exhibit number.

Exhibits are to be marked numerically only on the first page of the exhibit identifying the party that is making the offer and its exhibit number. (EXAMPLE: Petitioner’s Exhibit 1.)

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Document and photograph exhibits must be submitted in PDF format.

All document and photograph exhibits are to be submitted in PDF format.

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be marked numerically on the front of their first page.

Exhibits must be marked on the front of the first page of the exhibit. Exhibits are to be marked numerically only.

CRITICALCivil cases

For jury cases, proposed jury charges must be provided to the Court Coordinator in hard copy and by email in editable Word format.

(1) For a jury case, proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) in hard copy and emailed in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator.

CRITICAL

Proposed hearing exhibits must be pre-marked, and applicants and respondents may use their respective party-prefixed numbering systems.

All proposed exhibits to be used at the hearing shall be pre- marked (Applicants may use the numbering system, e.g., A-1, A-2, A-3, etc. and Respondent may use the numbering system, e.g., R-1, R-2, R-3, etc.).

CRITICAL

All proposed exhibits must be delivered physically, with paper exhibits printed and video or audio files copied onto a flash drive.

Delivery of exhibits to court: All proposed exhibits shall be delivered in physical form (printed on paper, and video/audio files copied onto a flash drive).

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury charges must be provided to the Court Coordinator in hardcopy and through a computer disk or email in Word format.

Proposed jury charges in hardcopy and via computer disk and/or email in Word format to Court Coordinator.

CRITICAL

All proposed hearing exhibits must be pre-marked, with applicants and respondents permitted to use their respective numbering systems.

EXHIBITS – Must comply with each of the following: Exchange with opposing parties: All proposed exhibits to be used at the hearing shall be pre- marked (Applicants may use the numbering system, e.g., A-1, A-2, A-3, etc. and Respondent may use the numbering system, e.g., R-1, R-2, R-3, etc.).

CRITICAL

Proposed exhibits must be delivered physically, with exhibits printed on paper and video or audio exhibits copied onto a flash drive.

All proposed exhibits shall be delivered in physical form (printed on paper, and video/audio files copied onto a flash drive).

CRITICALCivil cases

All exhibits must be present and pre-marked for identification at the pre-trial conference.

o All exhibits present and pre-marked for identification (for the purpose of stipulating to the authenticity and admissibility of exhibits).

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury charges must be supplied in editable Word format.

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

WARNINGCivil cases

All exhibits must be pre-marked for identification to facilitate stipulations to their authenticity and admissibility.

All exhibits pre-marked for identification (for the purpose of stipulating to the authenticity and admissibility of exhibits).

WARNING

All exhibits should be marked at the bottom-right corner when possible.

A. All exhibits must be marked at the bottom right corner when possible.

WARNINGCivil cases

Proposed jury charges must be submitted in editable Word format by email.

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

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibits produced for the pre-trial conference must be pre-marked for identification.

All exhibits produced to court reporter and pre-marked for identification (for the purpose of stipulating to the authenticity and admissibility of exhibits).

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

In a jury case, proposed jury charges must be supplied to the Court Coordinator in hard copy and by email in editable Word format.

For a jury case, proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) in hard copy and emailed in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury charges must be submitted in editable Word format.

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

WARNINGCivil cases

The Court requests both the printed property-division spreadsheet and an editable version, such as an Excel spreadsheet.

In addition to the printed property division spreadsheet, the Court requests an editable format, such as an Excel spreadsheet.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibits must be labeled chronologically, and subparts or sub-exhibits must not use labels such as Exhibit 1a or Exhibit 1.a.i.

Please have your exhibits labeled or have exhibit stickers already applied and ready to be labeled. When labeling, please label chronologically (i.e., Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, Exhibit 3). Do not label Exhibit 1a, Exhibit 1b, Exhibit 1.a.i, Exhibit 1.a.ii, Exhibit 1.a.iii, etc.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury charges must be emailed to the Court Coordinator in Word format.

1) Proposed jury charges emailed in Word format to the Court Coordinator.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Each party must provide proposed jury charges in hard copy and by emailing an editable Word version to the court coordinator.

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

WARNINGCivil cases

A proposed property division must be provided to the court at the beginning of trial in both hard-copy and electronic formats.

A Proposed Property Division should be provided to the Court at the beginning of trial, in both hard copy and electronic format, which lists all assets and liabilities, whether community, separate, or mixed character.

WARNING

The 1 pdf should start with the pay sheet first, then be followed by the billing sheet if an hourly case, or be followed by the order appointing investigator/expert you are requesting payment for.

The 1 pdf should start with the pay sheet first, then be followed by the billing sheet if an hourly case, or be followed by the order appointing investigator/expert you are requesting payment for.

WARNING

An evidence PDF must be named with the full cause number and the phrase “State’s Exhibits” or “Respondent’s Exhibits,” as applicable.

The name of the PDF file should be the full cause number and “State’s Exhibits” “(or cause number “– “Respondent’s Exhibits”).

WARNING

The juvenile pay-sheet email subject line must identify the document, cause number, and juvenile respondent's initials, and must not state the respondent's full name.

The subject line of the email should state – Pay sheet/Cause Number/INITIALS of the Juvenile Respondent (Please understand that if the full name is listed we will have to ask you to re-submit.)

WARNING

An evidence email subject must state the full cause number and identify the submission as the State’s or respondent’s exhibits.

The subject of the email should be the full cause number and “State’s Exhibits” “(or cause number “– “Respondent’s Exhibits”).

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

In a nonjury case, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law should be emailed to the Court Coordinator in editable Word format.

(2) For a nonjury case, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law should be emailed in editable Word format to Court Coordinator.

WARNINGCivil cases

The parties should email the proposed jury charge questions, instructions, and definitions to the Court Coordinator in Word format by noon on the Friday before the jury trial setting.

The parties should email the proposed jury charge questions, instructions, and definitions in Word format to the Court Coordinator by Noon on the Friday before the Jury Trial Setting.

WARNING

The pleading on this disk should be in 12 pitch font, free of any typographical emphasis i.e. bolding, all caps, underlining, italics, etc., and labeled with the case style and submitting party’s name.

The pleading on this disk should be in 12 pitch font, free of any typographical emphasis i.e. bolding, all caps, underlining, italics, etc., and labeled with the case style and submitting party’s name.

WARNING

If three-hole punching would destroy part of an original exhibit, the exhibit may be placed in a plastic envelope in the exhibit notebook.

If three-hole punching the original exhibit will destroy a part of the exhibit, such exhibit may be placed in a plastic envelope in the exhibit notebook

WARNING

An exhibit larger than 8½ by 11 inches must be accompanied by an 8½-by-11-inch copy.

Exhibits exceeding 8 ½” x 11” in size will be accompanied by an 8 ½” x 11” copy.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

In a jury case, the proposed jury charge should be emailed to the Court Coordinator in editable Word format.

(1) For a jury case, a proposed jury charge should be emailed in editable Word format to Court Coordinator.

WARNING

If counsel cannot provide an exhibit notebook, counsel should have the exhibits three-hole punched.

If you are not able to provide a notebook, please have the exhibits three-hole punched.

WARNING

Counsel may not mark or attach any item to an opposing counsel’s demonstrative exhibit while using it.

Counsel shall not mark on or attach any item to an opposing counsel’s demonstrative exhibit while using it.

WARNING

Attorneys should not attempt to “share” a connection with a witness.

Attorneys should not attempt to “share” a connection with a witness.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

In jury cases, proposed jury charges must be provided in hard copy and emailed to the Court Coordinator in editable Word format.

For a jury case, proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) in hard copy and emailed in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

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

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

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

In a jury case, each party must provide proposed jury charges in hard copy and email them to the Court Coordinator in editable Word format.

(1) For a jury case, proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) in hard copy and emailed in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator.

WARNING

When exhibits are submitted in a tabbed binder, each individual exhibit must also bear its exhibit number.

If exhibits are provided in a binder with exhibit tabs, each individual exhibit must also be marked with the exhibit number.

WARNING

Media exhibits are accepted when playable by QuickTime, VLC Media Player, or Windows Media Player, using one of the listed audio/video formats.

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

WARNING

Format

DOCX

A proposed jury charge submitted by email must be in Word format.

this can be done by emailing the court with the proposed charge in Word format and cc’ing opposing counsel.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury charges must be submitted in hard copy and electronically in Word format.

Proposed jury charges in hardcopy and via computer disk and/or email in Word format to Court Coordinator.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury charges must be submitted as editable Word documents.

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

INFO

Grayscale is encouraged for scanned photographs, but color is accepted when necessary.

C. Scanned photographs – grayscale is encouraged but color is accepted if necessary.

INFOCivil cases

The court prefers descriptive exhibit markings, such as H-1 for a husband's exhibits or M-1 for a mother's exhibits.

The Court prefers descriptive marking, for example “H-1” for husband’s exhibits or “M-1” for mother’s exhibits, as appropriate.

INFOCivil cases

The court prefers descriptive pre-marking of exhibits, such as H-1 for husband’s exhibits or M-1 for mother’s exhibits.

The Court prefers descriptive markings, for example “H-1” for husband’s exhibits or “M-1” for mother’s exhibits.

INFOCivil cases

Format

PDF

Pay sheets may be emailed to the court using the electronic PDF pay sheet form.

You are welcome to email pay sheets to the court at 468@co.collin.tx.us using the electronic PDF pay sheet form.

INFOCivil cases

The court prefers the proposed property division in an editable format such as an Excel spreadsheet.

The court prefers an editable format, such as an Excel spreadsheet.

WARNING

Remote-hearing media exhibits are accepted when playable by one of the three listed media players and submitted in an accepted audio/video format.

Media can be accepted if it is playable by one of 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, .mp4v, .mpg, .ogg, .oga, .ogv, .webm.