Taylor County District Courts
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Document Filing Requirements23 rules
If the motion will be opposed, a certificate shall be attached to the motion and signed by the attorney in charge (or pro se).
The Certificate of Conference shall state the following: (1) the date of the conference; (2) the names of the attorneys who conferred; (3) that the conference included all issues raised in the pleading; (4) that agreement could not be reached; and (5) that the pleading is therefore presented to the Court for determination.
If counsel did not confer regarding the merits of the pleading, the Certificate of Conference shall include the following: (1) the date and time of each attempt to confer; (2) the name of the attorney with whom counsel attempted to confer; (3) that
Each party shall furnish two current pay stubs.
In support-setting and support-modification actions, each party must prepare a financial disclosure form and deliver it to the adverse party or counsel and the judge before the hearing.
Court's wording
In all actions in which the Associate Judge or Judge is requested to set temporary alimony, child support or any other type of support, and in all actions involving a motion to increase or decrease support, each party shall prepare a financial disclosure form and deliver a copy of such form to the adverse party or his counsel and the Associate Judge or Judge prior to the hearing.
Requests for jury trials must be made in writing and will not be granted unless the jury fee is paid.
In child-support setting and modification actions, each party must prepare a financial disclosure form and deliver it to the adverse party or counsel and the judge before the hearing.
Court's wording
In all actions in which the Associate Judge or Judge is requested to set child support and in all actions involving a motion to increase or decrease child support, each party shall prepare a financial disclosure form and deliver a copy of such form to the adverse party or his counsel and the Associate Judge or Judge prior to the hearing.
In cases involving an appreciable amount of property in dispute, counsel for each party shall prepare a list of property involved with estimates of value noted thereon.
A copy of the list shall be presented to opposing counsel at least three days before trial and to the Court prior to any testimony being offered.
A copy of the list shall be presented to opposing counsel at least three days before trial
In resetting contempt hearings and requests for temporary restraining orders, an order setting hearing is required.
Proposed orders shall be presented with requests for hearing on temporary orders, proceedings for contempt, and applications for protective orders.
- Document
- Hearing request
Must include
- •Proposed order
A request to appear electronically shall be made by written motion filed along with a proposed order.
- Document
- Electronic appearance motion
Must include
- •Proposed order
The request shall include the reason the person is unable to appear in person.
In the event a child wishes to confer with the Court, a party shall file a Motion to Confer specifying the legal and factual bases of the request, including the age of the child.
The requesting party shall also send a notice of hearing and/or a proposed order on the Motion.
Completion of form is required to set up your child support account.
All orders should specify that the hearing will be before the Associate Judge.
If a party wishes to reset a hearing, a Motion for Continuance with a Certificate of Conference should be filed with the District Clerk.
- Document
- Motion for continuance
Should include
- •Certificate of conference
The filing party shall also file a blank notice setting the Motion for a hearing or an agreed order approved by all counsel, CASA (if any), and any pro se parties that have appeared in the suit.
If an appointed attorney or the client of such an attorney requests withdrawal of counsel, a motion to withdraw should be filed and a notice of hearing should be submitted to the Court.
If a party wishes to have an order placed on this docket, a written request should be made to the Court Coordinator with notice to all parties.
A request for an electronically recorded hearing transcript must provide five specified categories of information, including hearing details, the portion to transcribe, reporter contact information, the paying party, and for minors or indigent parents, justification of the expense.
Court's wording
To obtain a transcript of an electronically recorded hearing, the requesting party shall provide to the Court a written request including the following information: 1. The date and time of the hearing; 2. A designation of which portion of the hearing is to be transcribed; 3. The name, phone number, mailing address, and email address of the court reporter the requesting party wishes to have transcribe the hearing; 4. The name of the party responsible for paying the Court Reporter; and 5. If the requesting party is a minor or an indigent parent, reasons detailing why the requested expense is reasonable and necessary.
Filing & Service rules
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The party obtaining a continuance must notify all other attorneys and pro se litigants of the new hearing date, time, and location.
The party obtaining a continuance shall notify all other attorneys and pro se litigants of the new setting date, time, and location.
Page 12 | RULE 4.5 – CONTINUANCES
Filing Fees and Waivers
A jury fee must be paid before a jury-trial request will be granted.
Requests for jury trials must be made in writing and will not be granted unless the jury fee is paid.
Page 7 | Rule 3.5.5 – Requests for Jury Settings
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Mental Health Assessment Reports may be made available only to State attorneys, defense counsel, and a pro se defendant.
They shall only be made available to the Attorneys for the State, the Attorney for the Defendant and the Defendant (if defendant is pro se)
Criminal cases
Page 1 | MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT REPORTS
All Mental Health Assessment Reports received by the District Clerk under Article 16.22 TCCP must be sealed by the Taylor County Clerk.
Effective September 1, 2017 the District Courts, hereby, Order that all Mental Health Assessment Reports received by the District Clerk pursuant to Article 16.22 TCCP shall be sealed by the Taylor County Clerk.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT REPORTS
Suits filed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and suits concerning termination of parental rights or adoption of a minor are sealed, and access or copies require the Judge's permission.
All suits filed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and any suit filed by any party for termination of parental rights and/or adoption of a minor are sealed. Permission by the Judge is required for obtaining access to or copies from any sealed file.
Page 10 | RULE 3.12 – SEALED FILES
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A party with a scheduling conflict must file a motion for continuance in the appropriate case.
Any party that has a scheduling conflict must file a motion for continuance in the appropriate case.
Page 6 | RULE 3.3 – SETTING CONFLICTS
A continuance request must be submitted in writing and set for hearing.
Requests for continuances must be in writing and will be set for hearing.
Page 7 | Rule 3.5.4 – Continuances
The attorney obtaining a new hearing date must confirm that date in writing with opposing counsel and the Court.
The attorney obtaining a new hearing date shall confirm the setting in writing with opposing counsel and the Court.
Page 7 | Rule 3.5.4 – Continuances
All requested continuances in DFPS cases require court approval.
Given the time sensitive nature of the hearings in cases involving DFPS, all continuances require Court approval.
Page 12 | RULE 4.5 – CONTINUANCES
When counsel agree to a continuance, the requesting attorney must obtain and confirm a new hearing date with the Court and opposing counsel.
When continuances are granted by agreements of counsel, the attorney requesting the continuance must obtain a new hearing date and confirm the same with both the Court and opposing counsel.
Page 10 | Rule 3.11.3 – Settings
A vacation or leave letter filed after scheduling does not automatically continue or reset the hearing.
Vacation or leave letters filed after a hearing is scheduled do not constitute an automatic continuance.
Page 12 | RULE 4.5 – CONTINUANCES
Nonfinal hearings ordinarily should not exceed two hours, but the court may extend that time for unique circumstances.
In general, all hearings except final hearings should not last more than 2 hours; however, the Court has discretion to extend the requested hearing times based on unique circumstances.
Page 12 | RULE 4.6 – TIME LIMITATIONS
When additional hearing time is needed, the parties must notify the Court Coordinator promptly and provide an estimated duration.
If the parties request additional time, they shall notify the Court Coordinator as soon as they are aware of the need for additional time and shall provide an estimated time request.
Page 12 | RULE 4.6 – TIME LIMITATIONS