Grayson County District Courts
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Ex Parte Motion
Filings > 25 pages
- Hand Delivery
Document Format Requirements7 rules
2. Any scanned exhibit files must NOT be larger than 100 mb per file.
E. Oversized exhibits shall be accompanied by 8 ½ X 11 copies, with a marked exhibit sticker on the front, which the Court Reporter will retain for the record on appeal.
4. Audio/Video files cannot be larger than 5G. If so, they must be split on the necessary amount of discs.
1. All exhibits must be marked at the bottom right corner when possible.
The exhibits shall be in .pdf format.
- File type
- Exhibits
3. Scanned photographs – grayscale is encouraged but color is accepted if necessary.
All video/audio files should be in a format that allows it to be played with Windows Media Player, such as AVI, MP3 or MP4.
Document Filing Requirements13 rules
The Court Reporter must receive copies of specified electronic exhibits, including those over 2 gigabytes or containing proprietary media, for retention on appeal.
Court's wording
C. The Court Reporter must be provided with a copy of any electronic exhibit over 2 gigabytes and/or exhibits containing proprietary software, media containing multiple subfiles, hard drives, phone dumps, etc., which the Court Reporter will retain for the record on appeal.
Parties filing any motion requesting relief shall also file a proposed order at the same time.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Proposed order
D. 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).
A complete exhibit list consisting of the exhibits marked, their description, and exhibit number must be produced to counsel, the Court, and the Court Reporter prior to trial.
that the person understands and acknowledges that they are and will be held responsible, and potentially sanctioned, for their or their co-counsel's failure to comply with these rules.
All language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence were before submission verified as accurate through traditional (non-AI) legal sources, and
- Document
- AI generated pleading
Include
- •AI disclosure
All self-represented parties and attorneys who utilize any form of artificial intelligence for legal research or drafting in connection with a case shall, before using any AI-generated information in a Court submission or proceeding, sign and submit an attachment to each pleading generated using artificial intelligence, certifying that:
- Document
- AI generated pleading
Must include
- •AI disclosure
Submit an Order Setting Hearing to the Court with a Request for Setting when obtaining a trial date or a letter when obtaining a pre-trial date, stating the date the parties have agreed to.
If a judge disapproves a request for compensation, the judge shall make written findings, stating the amount of payment that the judge approves and each reason for approving an amount different from the requested amount.
Appointed Counsel may file with the trial court a pretrial ex parte confidential request for advance payment of investigative and expert expenses. The request for expenses must state the below, as applicable:
If the court denies in whole or in part the request for expenses, the court shall: a. State the reasons for the denial in writing; b. Attach the denial to the confidential request; and c. Submit the request and denial as a sealed exhibit to the record.
An advance-expense request must state the investigation or expert type, supporting facts, and an itemized list of anticipated expenses, as applicable.
Court's wording
a. The type of investigation to be conducted or the type of expert to be retained; b. Specific facts that suggest the investigation will result in admissible evidence or that the services of an expert are reasonably necessary to assist in the preparation of a potential defense; and c. An itemized list of anticipated expenses for each investigation and/or each expert.
Any notice of hearing should specify whether the hearing will be by Zoom or in-person. If the hearing is by Zoom, the notice should include the Zoom link for the hearing.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Ex parte motions in felony cases must be filed in paper form with the District Clerk.
A. All ex parte motions filed in felony cases shall be filed by paper with the District Clerk.
Page 17 | TITLE 3. RULES GOVERNING CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS; RULE 3.2 EX PARTE MOTIONS FILED IN FELONY CASES
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A party objecting to an ADR referral order must file a written objection within ten days after receiving notice of the referral.
If the Court enters an order of referral to an ADR procedure, any party may object to such referral pursuant to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 154 by filing a written objection within ten days of the notice of referral.
Page 13 | RULE 2.4 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (MEDIATION) — D. Objection to Referral
For arrests not made pursuant to a warrant or judicial order, the forms establishing probable cause must be completed and filed when the arrestee is booked into jail.
Unless arrested pursuant to an arrest warrant, bench warrant, capias, or other order of a magistrate or judge, necessary forms establishing probable cause must be completed and filed at the time an arrestee is booked into jail for any felony or misdemeanor punishable by incarceration.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Prompt Magistration — Arresting Officer Responsibilities
An appointed attorney must submit a fee voucher for services rendered no later than 60 days after case disposition or completion of the assignment or discharge.
An appointed attorney shall fill out and submit a fee voucher to the court for services rendered no later than 60 days after the disposition of the case, the completion on the assignment or discharge of the attorney.
Criminal cases
Page 9 | Fee and Expense Payment Process
Temporary orders should be presented for entry within ten days after the hearing or by the Court's entry date.
C. Temporary Orders Entry All temporary orders should be presented to the Court for entry within ten (10) days after the hearing or at the entry date set by the Court.
Page 18 | TITLE 4. RULES GOVERNING FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS; RULE 4.2 TEMPORARY HEARINGS; C. Temporary Orders Entry
An attorney may appeal a disapproved or unacted-on payment request by filing a motion with the regional presiding judge after the 60th day following submission.
An attorney whose request for payment is disapproved or is not otherwise acted on by the 60th day after the date the request for payment is submitted may appeal the disapproval or failure to act by filing a motion with the presiding judge of this administrative judicial region.
Criminal cases
Page 9 | Fee and Expense Payment Process
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Exhibits must be emailed to the Court Reporter, all parties, and the Court's coordinator by noon at least one business day before the hearing.
Any exhibits intending to be offered during the hearing are required to be emailed to the Court Reporter, all parties, and the Court's coordinator no later than 12:00 p.m. at least one business day before the hearing.
Page 9 | B. PROCEDURES FOR LITIGANTS
A responsive party's application for a temporary order and related hearing notice must be served on the adverse party under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rules 5 and 21a.
B. Notice Required When Responding Party Seeking Affirmative Relief An application to the Court for a temporary order and notice of any hearing thereon which is presented by a party responding to an application for temporary orders in which that party is seeking affirmative relief shall be served on the adverse party in accordance with Rule 5 and Rule 21a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended.
Page 18 | TITLE 4. RULES GOVERNING FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS; RULE 4.2 TEMPORARY HEARINGS; B. Notice Required When Responding Party Seeking Affirmative Relief
Filing Fees and Waivers
A jury-trial setting will not be issued until the proper jury fee is paid and mediation has occurred, unless the Court excuses mediation.
6. No setting for jury trial will be given until the proper jury fee has been paid and mediation has occurred, unless mediation has been excused by the Court.
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Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of exhibits exceeding 25 pages must be provided to the Court by hand delivery or mail.
If the exhibits total more than 25 pages, a courtesy copy must be provided to the Court either by hand-delivery or by mail.
Page 9 | B. PROCEDURES FOR LITIGANTS
After filing an ex parte motion in a felony case, a copy must be delivered to the Court's Court Coordinator.
B. A copy of all ex parte motions filed in felony cases shall be delivered to the Court's Court Coordinator after filing.
Page 17 | TITLE 3. RULES GOVERNING CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS; RULE 3.2 EX PARTE MOTIONS FILED IN FELONY CASES
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
The confidential expense request and court’s written denial must be submitted to the record as a sealed exhibit.
Submit the request and denial as a sealed exhibit to the record.
Criminal cases
Page 10 | Procedure with Prior Court Approval
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Unless all represented and non-represented parties consent in writing and the court approves the request, a continuance must be sought by motion under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 251 and set through the Court's Coordinator or the ordinary motion-setting process; a noncompliant motion is denied without prejudice.
Unless counsel for all represented parties and all non-represented parties consent in writing to the request for a continuance and the same is approved by the Court, a motion must be filed pursuant to Rule 251, et seq. of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, as applicable, and the motion must be set by the Court's Coordinator, or in the same manner as all other motions. Any motion that does not meet these requirements will be denied without prejudice to the right to refile.
Page 6 | RULE 1.2 REQUESTS FOR CONTINUANCE OR POSTPONEMENT — B. Requirements of Motion
A continuance, pass, postponement, or reset of a trial, pretrial, or other hearing requires consent from counsel for all parties or notice and an opportunity for non-requesting parties to object.
No request for a continuance, to pass, postpone or reset any trial, pretrial, or other hearing shall be granted unless counsel for all parties consent, or unless all parties not joining in such request have been notified and have had an opportunity to object.
Page 6 | RULE 1.2 REQUESTS FOR CONTINUANCE OR POSTPONEMENT — A. Consent or Notice Required
A vacationing attorney must file a continuance motion if an opposing party sets a conflicting trial date.
B. If an opposing party sets a trial date, which conflicts with the scheduled vacation, it is the responsibility of the vacationing attorney to file a motion for continuance seeking leave of Court to reschedule said setting.
Page 7 | Rule 1.4 ATTORNEY VACATION DESIGNATIONS
Every request must advise the Court that opposing counsel was contacted and is available to appear on the requested hearing date.
3. Always advise the Court in your request that you have contacted the opposing counsel and that they are available for hearing on the date you have requested.
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Chambers Communication Rules
Setting requests must not be directed to a judge; unresolved setting conflicts or difficulties may require a court hearing for the court to resolve or reschedule the matter.
7. No request for settings shall be directed toward any Judge. Any conflicts or difficulties in obtaining a setting may require a hearing before the Court. The Court shall then resolve the conflict or set the case at a time that is reasonable for all parties.
Page 13
A party filing one of the listed post-trial pleadings must give direct notice to the trial judge because the District Clerk does not forward the pleading.
Pleadings that are filed with the District Clerk are not forwarded by the District Clerk to the trial Judge. Notice must be given directly to the trial Judge when a party files one or more of the following post-trial pleadings: (1) Request for Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (TEX. R. CIV. PROC. 296); (2) Notice of Past Due Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (TEX. R. CIV. PROC. 296); (3) Any affidavit of indigence filed in connection with an appeal (TEX. R. APP. PROC. 20.1); (4) Motion for New Trial, or Motion to Modify, Correct, or Reform Judgment; (5) Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict; or (6) Motions to Enter Judgment.
Page 14 | RULE 2.6 NOTICE TO TRIAL JUDGE OF POST-TRIAL PLEADINGS — A. When to Notify
The party filing a listed post-trial pleading must give notice to the trial judge by delivering a copy to the court office, mailing it to the judge, or emailing the Court Coordinator.
Notice must be given to the trial Judge by the party filing the pleading by: (1) Delivery of a copy of the pleading to the attention of the trial Judge to the trial Court's office. (2) Mail addressed to the trial Judge; or (3) Email to the trial Court's Coordinator's email address.
Page 14 | RULE 2.6 NOTICE TO TRIAL JUDGE OF POST-TRIAL PLEADINGS — B. How to Notify
A party filing an objection to ADR referral must notify the Court Coordinator that the objection was filed.
It is the responsibility of the party objecting to notify the Court's Coordinator that an objection has been filed.
Page 14 | RULE 2.4 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (MEDIATION) — D. Objection to Referral
A hearing cancellation or delay should be reported as soon as possible by both phone and email to the Court Coordinator and to opposing counsel or the non-represented party.
5. If, for any reason, you must cancel a hearing, or if you are running late to a scheduled hearing, please contact the Court's Coordinator and opposing counsel or non-represented party as soon as possible by phone and email.
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When requesting or resetting a hearing, counsel should tell the Court Coordinator how much hearing time is estimated to be needed.
4. When setting or resetting a case for trial, pre-trial, etc., please advise the Court Coordinator as to the estimated time you will need for the hearing.
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