Judge Martin Hoffman
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Fax
Clerk
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Jury charges and findings of facts and conclusions need to be submitted to the court in hard copy and via email in Microsoft Word.
- File type
- Word
Formatting
- •Hard copy
- •Email submission
Exhibits and other evidence must be delivered to the Court Reporter in PDF format in advance of remote hearings.
- File type
- Exhibits
Court's wording
Any party needing to admit either exhibits or other evidence referred to above must electronically deliver same to the Court Reporter in PDF format in advance of the hearing already pre-marked with exhibit stickers and chronologically numbered for ease of reference (and directing a witness's attention) during remote proceedings.
Document Filing Requirements3 rules
Exhibits must be pre-marked with exhibit stickers, chronologically numbered, and have sequentially numbered pages for ease of reference.
Court's wording
Any party needing to admit either exhibits or other evidence referred to above must electronically deliver same to the Court Reporter in PDF format in advance of the hearing already pre-marked with exhibit stickers and chronologically numbered for ease of reference (and directing a witness's attention) during remote proceedings. The pages of each Exhibit, deposition, declaration of other proffered evidence must be sequentially numbered for ease of reference.
Whenever the L.R. 2.07 conference results in agreement between the parties, the Moving Party shall submit an Agreed Order reflecting agreement.
The Court requests that parties submit lists of all attorneys who will be present during voir dire so that the Court may make an introduction.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The Court will not accept motions or orders faxed or emailed to the coordinator without the Judge's prior approval.
The Court will not accept motions and/or orders that have been faxed or emailed to the coordinator without prior approval of the Judge.
Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING ORDERS/COURTS SETTINGS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
In-person jury proceedings may only be conducted after the jury proceeding addendum is submitted and accepted by the Regional Presiding Judge.
Judges of the district courts, constitutional and statutory county courts, and statutory probate courts will conduct in-person jury proceedings in accordance with the previously approved Operating Plan and this addendum only after this jury proceeding addendum is submitted and accepted by the Regional Presiding Judge.
Page 1 | General
All dispositive motions must be filed and heard 30 days prior to trial without leave of court.
All dispositive motions must be filed and heard 30 days prior to trial without leave of court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | SCHEDULING ORDERS/COURTS SETTINGS
A Rule 91a motion to dismiss must be heard and decided within 45 days of filing.
said Motion must be heard and decided within 45 days of the motion being filed.
Civil cases
Page 2 | PLEADINGS & MOTIONS
The Court requests this notebook on the first day of trial.
The Court requests this notebook on the first day of trial.
Civil cases
Page 5
Proposed jury charges should be presented the first day of trial.
Proposed jury charges should be presented the first day of trial.
Civil cases
Page 5
All parties must announce for trial by Friday morning before the trial setting.
The Court requires that all parties announce for trial by Friday morning prior to the trial setting, per the local rules.
Civil cases
Page 7 | OTHER
The local administrative district judge or designee must consult with the local public health authority within five days before an approved in-person jury proceeding.
Not more than five days before an approved in-person jury proceeding is scheduled to occur, the local administrative district judge or designee will consult with the local public health authority to verify that local health conditions and plan precautions are appropriate for the jury proceeding to proceed.
Page 1 | General
If a plaintiff fails to serve a defendant or move for default judgment within 60 days, the case is set on the Dismissal Docket.
The Court will monitor a case for 60 days and if the Plaintiffs have failed to serve and/or move for a default judgment on a Defendant, the case will be set on a Dismissal Docket.
Civil cases
Page 1 | SCHEDULING ORDERS/COURTS SETTINGS
For Level 3 cases, a scheduling conference is set roughly 30 days after an answer is filed; parties must attend unless they submit an agreed scheduling order beforehand.
For Level 3 cases, the Court will set a scheduling conference roughly 30 days from the date that an answer is filed. Parties must attend unless the parties submit an agreed scheduling order prior to the conference date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | SCHEDULING ORDERS/COURTS SETTINGS
Responses should be filed with the court clerks by the morning before the hearing so the Judge can review them.
Responses should be filed with the Court clerks by the morning prior to the hearing in order to be reviewed by Judge.
Civil cases
Page 2 | PLEADINGS & MOTIONS
Robinson/Daubert motions made after the discovery deadline are viewed with extreme disfavor.
The court looks with extreme disfavor upon Robinson/Daubert motions that are made after the discovery deadline.
Civil cases
Page 5
Continuance motions should be presented as soon as practical.
Continuance motions should be presented as soon as practical.
Civil cases
Page 5
Motions in limine should usually be filed on the day of trial or at the pre-trial conference.
Motions in limine should usually be filed the day of trial or at the pre-trial conference.
Civil cases
Page 5
Exhibits and other evidence must be delivered to the Court Reporter in advance of the hearing.
Any party needing to admit either exhibits or other evidence referred to above must electronically deliver same to the Court Reporter in PDF format in advance of the hearing already pre-marked with exhibit stickers and chronologically numbered for ease of reference (and directing a witness's attention) during remote proceedings.
Page 2 | Proceedings in the Courtroom
The date in a motion's Fiat or Notice of Hearing is the date of submission to the Court for consideration.
The date as reflected in a Motion's Fiat or Notice of Hearing shall be considered the date of submission to the Court for consideration.
Page 3 | Introduction
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Copies of exhibits must be contemporaneously directed to opposing counsel.
Copies must contemporaneously be directed to opposing Counsel.
Page 2 | Proceedings in the Courtroom
Filing Bundling Requirements
The Court requests that witness lists, exhibit lists, and motions in limine be submitted jointly by all parties in one notebook.
The Court requests that witness lists, exhibit lists, and motions in limine be submitted jointly by all parties in one notebook.
Civil cases
Page 5
For complicated motions, the Court appreciates brief books containing briefs, orders, and highlighted important cases.
The Court appreciates brief books with briefs, orders, and important cases relied upon (highlights) for complicated motions. The court prefers that all relevant briefing be provided
Civil cases
Page 2 | PLEADINGS & MOTIONS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must conference in compliance with local rules before filing a discovery motion.
The Court expects parties to conference in compliance with local rules prior to making motion regarding discovery disputes.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DISCOVERY
Local Rule 2.07 requires a meaningful conference between opposing counsel before the Court will intervene.
Dallas Civil Courts Rule 2.07 requires a meaningful conference between opposing counsel prior to the Court's intervention.
Page 4 | Local Rule 2.07 compliance
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion is required for a continuance; agreed motions are reviewed by submission, while non-agreed motions must be set for a hearing.
The Court requires a motion for a continuance. The Court has no specific requirement on how early or late the request should be made, however requests should be timely, and parties should be aware that the Court may not have an opportunity to review late-filed motions. Agreed motions for continuance will be reviewed by submission, but the court may contact parties to set a phone conference in older cases. Motions for continuance that are not agreed upon must be set for a hearing with the clerks.
Civil cases
Page 5
A plaintiff must contact the court coordinator before the DWOP docket to obtain an extension.
The Plaintiff must contact the court coordinator prior to the DWOP docket for an extension.
Civil cases
Page 1 | SCHEDULING ORDERS/COURTS SETTINGS
The Court will be flexible in accommodating parties with religious holiday conflicts; parties should contact the court coordinator.
If a party has a conflict with a setting based on any religious holiday or tradition, the court will be as flexible as possible in accommodating any party. Please contact the court coordinator in the event of such a conflict.
Civil cases
Page 7 | OTHER
Chambers Communication Rules
In a true emergency, call the clerk Nicholas Zaragoza at 214-653-7536.
Call the clerk Nicholas Zaragoza at 214-653-7536.
Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING ORDERS/COURTS SETTINGS
After hours, leave a message with the coordinator or email her at rhonda.pinson@dallascounty.org.
If after hours, leave a message with the coordinator Rhonda Pinson at 214-653-6510 and/or send an email to rhonda.pinson@dallascounty.org.
Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING ORDERS/COURTS SETTINGS
Parties filing a Rule 91a motion to dismiss must immediately contact the clerk to request a hearing, noting the motion must be heard within 45 days.
Parties that file a Motion to Dismiss pursuant to Rule 91a are required to immediately contact Nicholas Zaragoza at 214-653-7536 to request a hearing and to notify Mr. Zaragoza that said Motion must be heard and decided within 45 days of the motion being filed.
Civil cases
Page 2 | PLEADINGS & MOTIONS
Moving party must email the Court Reporter and Court Coordinator the email addresses of all participants at least 48 hours before a remote hearing, transmitted in a single submission with a copy to all counsel.
In any proceeding conducted remotely either by telephonic or technological means or by any other means which may be deemed appropriate by the Court, the moving Party shall, no less than 48 hours in advance of said hearing, email the Court Reporter and the Court Coordinator the email address of all attorneys, (or self represented parties), witnesses and others who may be participating in said proceeding so that information regarding the technological platform, any link, access code thereto and other pertinent information necessary to effectuate the remote connection may be effectuated. The attorneys and parties are directed to collaborate and transmit to the Court Reporter in a single submission with a copy to all counsel of record and self-represented parties.
Page 2 | Proceedings in the Courtroom
All court participants must alert court staff (including the Bailiff) if they or another participant have COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.
Every participant in a proceeding, witness, counsel, paralegal, client or other individual who appears at the District Court is Ordered to alert the Court staff, specifically including the Bailiff, if the participant has, or knows of another participant who has COVID-19, or other flu-like symptoms or fever, coughing or sneezing.
Page 5 | Miscellaneous
Attorneys and others are strictly prohibited from approaching any court to inquire about a particular judge hearing a TRO.
The practice of an Attorney or other person approaching any Court to inquire of particular Judge to hear such an Order remains strictly prohibited.
Page 5
For emergency discovery motions, contact the coordinator to check if the Judge is available.
For emergency motions, please contact the coordinator to see if the Judge is available to hear the dispute.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DISCOVERY
Parties should contact the court clerks to set a hearing for discovery disputes.
Parties should contact the court clerks to set a hearing regarding discovery.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DISCOVERY
Faxes may be sent to 214-653-7569.
If a fax must be sent, the phone number is 214-653-7569.
Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING ORDERS/COURTS SETTINGS
The court prefers email communication via the coordinator's email address.
The court prefers email communication. The coordinator's email address is rhonda.pinson@dallascounty.org.
Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING ORDERS/COURTS SETTINGS
Members of the public may contact the Court Coordinator for dial-in info or access codes to listen/view telephonic or technological proceedings.
Consistent with the State policy of open Courts, any member of the public wishing to listen/view and telephonically or technologically conducted proceeding may gain access to same by contacting the Court Coordinator for dial-in info or access code/link information.
Page 5 | Miscellaneous