Jim Wells County District Court
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
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Document Format Requirements16 rules
Each exhibit shall be contained in a single file (i.e., one exhibit per file name).
Trial exhibits must be submitted electronically in a format suitable for filing and storage and must not be password protected, encrypted, or subject to rights management.
Court's wording
It is the intent of this rule that all evidence shall be submitted in an electronic format suitable for electronic filing and storage. The party who offers the exhibit is responsible for submitting the exhibit in the format required by this rule. Exhibits must not be password protected, encrypted, or protected by rights management.
(1) documents must be in 300 dpi PDF searchable format; (2) photographs must be of a resolution of not less than 2,048 x 1,536 pixels (approximately 3 megapixels). Grayscale images are encouraged;
- File type
Formatting
- •Grayscale images are encouraged
Audio and video exhibits that are compatible with the specified media players must be submitted in their original format.
Court's wording
(3) audio and video files that can be played with the current version, including any extensions, of: (i) Windows Media Player, (ii) Apple Quicktime, or (iii) VideoLAN VLC MediaPlayer, must be submitted in its original format.
Bates stamped or numbered at the bottom, right corner of each page if the exhibit contains more than one page.
- More than 1 page
Formatting
- •Bates stamp or number the bottom, right corner of each page
Each exhibit must be labeled with its exhibit number, cause number, and a descriptive title.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Include the cause number
- •Provide a title for the exhibit
Court's wording
clearly labeled with the exhibit number (utilizing Arabic numerals in numerical order), cause number and provide a title for the exhibit (e.g., ABC Hospital Records for Plaintiff Jane Doe, Photographs of Accident Scene, etc.);
If an exhibit contains multiple photographs marked as a single exhibit number, each photograph shall be marked by a letter of the alphabet in alphabetical order.
All evidence must be submitted electronically in a format suitable for electronic filing and storage, and exhibits may not be password protected, encrypted, or subject to rights management.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •No password protection
- •No encryption
- •No rights management protection
Court's wording
It is the intent of this rule that all evidence shall be submitted in an electronic format suitable for electronic filing and storage. The party who offers the exhibit is responsible for submitting the exhibit in the format required by this rule. Exhibits must not be password protected, encrypted, or protected by rights management.
All exhibits must be provided to the Court Reporter before trial begins, with each exhibit contained in its own file.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Proper electronic format
- •One exhibit per file name
Court's wording
All exhibits shall be in the proper electronic format and provided to the Court Reporter prior to the commencement of the trial. Each exhibit shall be contained in a single file (i.e., one exhibit per file name).
Prior to the trial or court proceeding, all exhibits shall be marked numerically, and an exhibit list shall be furnished to the Court reporter. Exhibits must be clearly marked on the front of the exhibit and include the cause number. If an exhibit consists of more than one page, each page shall be Bates stamped or numbered.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Mark all exhibits numerically before the trial or court proceeding
Exhibits must be clearly marked on the front of the exhibit and include the cause number. If an exhibit consists of more than one page, each page shall be Bates stamped or numbered.
individually uploaded to the Dropbox Shared Folder; and,
of the three players, it must be converted by the attorney/party presenting the audio/video file at trial to a format that can be played on one of the players listed. The converted video must then be submitted electronically;
Formatting
- •Submit the converted video electronically
Each exhibit must be labeled with its exhibit number, cause number, and a descriptive title.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Include the cause number
- •Provide a title for the exhibit
Court's wording
clearly labeled with the exhibit number (utilizing Arabic numerals in numerical order), cause number and provide a title for the exhibit (e.g., ABC Hospital Records for Plaintiff Jane Doe, Photographs of Accident Scene, etc.);
Bates stamped or numbered at the bottom, right corner of each page if the exhibit contains more than one page. If an exhibit contains multiple photographs marked as a single exhibit number, each photograph shall be marked by a letter of the alphabet in alphabetical order.
Documents and exhibits must be submitted as searchable 300 dpi PDFs, photographs must be at least 2,048 by 1,536 pixels, and compatible audio and video files must be submitted in their original format.
- File type
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Photographs must have a resolution of at least 2,048 x 1,536 pixels
- •Grayscale photographs are encouraged
Court's wording
Exhibits a party intends to offer into evidence and all other documents a party intends to present to the Court for consideration shall be: (1) documents must be in 300 dpi PDF searchable format; (2) photographs must be of a resolution of not less than 2,048 x 1,536 pixels (approximately 3 megapixels). Grayscale images are encouraged; (3) audio and video files that can be played with the current version, including any extensions, of: (i) Windows Media Player, (ii) Apple Quicktime, or (iii) VideoLAN VLC MediaPlayer, must be submitted in its original format.
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
Each attorney who desires to accept appointments as attorney ad litem, a guardian ad litem or amicus attorney shall submit a letter of intent to accept such appointments to the Court Manager for the county in which the attorney desires to accept appointments.
Sensitive Data in exhibits or witness statements must be redacted before the materials are admitted into evidence.
Court's wording
All Sensitive Data, as defined in Rule 21c of the Texas Rule of Civil Procedure and Rule 4.1 of the Rules Governing Electronic Filing in Criminal Cases, contained in exhibits or witness statements shall be redacted prior to admission into evidence.
If approval is not obtained within seven business days, the parties may submit the proposed order directly and the transmittal correspondence must state the submission date and method, whether communication occurred, and the substance of any communication.
Court's wording
If approval cannot be obtained within seven (7) business days, the parties may submit proposed orders directly to the Court for consideration. The transmittal correspondence to the Court shall include: (a) the date on which the proposed order was submitted to opposing counsel or pro se party and the manner of transmittal, (b) a statement as to whether opposing counsel or pro se party has communicated with counsel concerning the proposed order, and (c) if communication was had, a summary of the contents of said communication.
All proposed orders or judgments concerning rulings of the Court in civil cases shall be submitted to opposing counsel or pro se party for approval as to form only. All signatures must be original. An attorney may sign on behalf of another attorney with a notation that the order was signed "with permission" of said attorney.
I certify that a copy of this setting request has been delivered to all other parties of record. I further certify that I have consulted with all parties and the above requested dates are agreeable to all parties or I have made all reasonable efforts to obtain an agreement on an agreed setting date but an agreement could not be reached.
All video and/or audio exhibits which contain a statement made by a party or witness shall be transcribed by the party offering same
Prior to the trial or court proceeding, all exhibits shall be marked numerically, and an exhibit list shall be furnished to the Court reporter.
- Document
- Exhibits
Must include
- •Exhibit list
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Converted audio or video exhibits must be submitted electronically.
The converted video must then be submitted electronically;
Civil cases
Page 9 | 3.03
Each exhibit must be individually uploaded to the Dropbox Shared Folder.
individually uploaded to the Dropbox Shared Folder;
Civil cases
Page 9 | 3.03
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Within 30 days after trial-court disposition or exhaustion of all appeals, appointed counsel must submit a fee-and-expense voucher on the form provided by the trial court.
1.23. Not later than thirty (30) days after the case is disposed by the trial court or all appeals are exhausted, the appointed attorney shall prepare and submit to the trial court a voucher for the payment of fees and expenses on a form provided by the trial court.
Civil cases
Page 4 | B. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF APPOINTED ATTORNEYS PAID BY TRIAL COURT
Exhibits intended for use at a teleconference court proceeding must be placed in a Dropbox Shared Folder by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding day, or by 4:00 p.m. the preceding Friday when the proceeding is on Monday.
(a) placed in a Dropbox Shared Folder before the court proceeding no later than 4:00 p.m. the day before the scheduled court proceeding. If the date falls on a Monday, the exhibits shall be placed in the Dropbox folder no later than 4:00 p.m. the previous Friday;
Civil cases
Page 8 | ARTICLE III. REMOTE PROCEEDINGS
Exhibits must be provided to the Court Reporter before the trial commences.
All exhibits shall be in the proper electronic format and provided to the Court Reporter prior to the commencement of the trial.
Civil cases
Page 8 | ARTICLE III. REMOTE PROCEEDINGS, 3.03
Exhibits must be placed in a Dropbox Shared Folder by 4:00 p.m. on the day before the proceeding, or by 4:00 p.m. the preceding Friday when the proceeding date falls on a Monday.
(a) placed in a Dropbox Shared Folder before the court proceeding no later than 4:00 p.m. the day before the scheduled court proceeding. If the date falls on a Monday, the exhibits shall be placed in the Dropbox folder no later than 4:00 p.m. the previous Friday;
Civil cases
Page 8 | ARTICLE III. REMOTE PROCEEDINGS, 3.03
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A copy of the required video or audio exhibit transcription must be provided to all opposing parties in a timely manner.
a copy of the transcription shall be provided to all opposing parties in a timely manner.
Civil cases
Page 11 | 4.05. Exhibits
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Sensitive Data in exhibits and witness statements must be redacted before those materials are admitted into evidence.
All Sensitive Data, as defined in Rule 21c of the Texas Rule of Civil Procedure and Rule 4.1 of the Rules Governing Electronic Filing in Criminal Cases, contained in exhibits or witness statements shall be redacted prior to admission into evidence.
Civil cases
Page 11 | 4.05. Exhibits
Chambers Communication Rules
A pro se party lacking the electronic equipment necessary for video appearance must contact the appropriate court at least 72 hours before the proceeding.
If a party to the court proceeding is pro se and does not have access to electronic equipment that is necessary to attend the video court proceeding, that party must contact the appropriate court, at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the scheduled court proceeding.
Civil cases
Page 9 | 3.08
The Brooks County contact may be reached by telephone at 361-325-5604 extension 183 or by email at acarbajal@co.brooks.tx.us.
Brooks County: Tel. No.: 361-325-5604, ext. 183 Email: acarbajal@co.brooks.tx.us
Civil cases
Page 10 | 3.08
The Jim Wells County District Court may be contacted by telephone at 361-668-5718 or by email at districtcourt@co.jim-wells.tx.us.
Jim Wells County: Tel. No.: 361-668-5718 email: districtcourt@co.jim-wells.tx.us
Civil cases
Page 10 | 3.08