Eastern District of Texas Chambers Communication Rules

Parties must contact chambers to request oral argument by a newer attorney.

Source text: If a party is interested in having a Newer Attorney argue a motion, after the motion is ripe, the party should contact chambers to request oral argument and inform chambers that a Newer Attorney will argue the motion or a portion of the motion.

Prohibits communication with jurors or potential jurors except during official proceedings

Source text: All attorneys, parties, and their respective employees and agents, including jury consultants, are prohibited from communicating with or causing another to communicate with in any way, directly or indirectly (including through any non-lawyers or lawyers, connected to the case or not), any juror or potential juror or family members of such individuals, except in the course of official proceedings in this case.

Prohibits sending access requests to jurors' social media accounts

Source text: All attorneys, parties, and their respective employees and agents, including jury consultants, are prohibited from personally or through another sending an access request to the electronic social media ('ESM') platform of any juror or potential juror, including for example a friend request, follow request, or similar access request.

CSOs must deny entry to anyone violating protocols and contact Marshal for uncertain cases.

Source text: It is further ORDERED that all CSOs, following substantive guidance provided by this order and administrative guidance from the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas ( EDTX ), shall deny entry to anyone attempting to enter, or remain in, the Courthouse in violation of these protocols. In the event of any uncertainty as to whether a person should be denied entrance to the Courthouse, the CSOs shall immediately contact the U.S. Marshal for the EDTX or the designated Deputy Marshal for a determination, which shall control.

Plaintiff's counsel must immediately notify court upon settlement.

Source text: Plaintiff’s counsel shall immediately notify the court upon settlement.

Parties must notify court at least one month before final pre-trial conference when commissioning mock trials/focus groups, including methodology and participant count.

Source text: When a party decides that it will, or is likely to, commission such a study, the party shall notify the court. Notice shall be provided at least one month prior to the final pre-trial conference. The notification may be in camera, and shall include a brief description of the study’s methodology and the expected number of citizen participants. The party shall also notify the court in camera when the study has been completed.

Attorneys must contact judge's chambers by phone and may follow up by email for court appearances.

Source text: b. If you are an attorney scheduled to appear in court before a judge, please contact that judge s chambers directly by telephone, and if necessary, follow up by email;

Contact Probation/PreTrial Services Office directly for meetings.

Source text: c. If you are scheduled to meet with a Probation or Pretrial Services Officer, please contact the Probation and Pretrial Services Office directly for guidance and instructions; and

Contact Deputy Clerk's office for other courthouse matters.

Source text: d. For any other Courthouse matters, please contact the office of the Deputy Clerk in Charge of the Be umont Division at (409) 654-7000.

Impaneled jurors may check electronic devices into Clerk's Office during breaks

Source text: With respect to electronic communication devices, in addition to the restrictions provided in General Order 18-6, impaneled petit and grand jurors may check such devices into the Clerk s Office and access them during breaks in the judicial proceedings.

Attorneys must contact judge's chambers by phone, then email if needed

Source text: b. If you are an attorney scheduled to appear in court before a judge, please contact that judge s chambers directly by telephone, and if necessary, follow up by email;

Contact Probation/PreTrial Services Office directly for meetings

Source text: c. If you are scheduled to meet with a Probation or Pretrial Services Officer, please contact the Probation and Pretrial Services Office directly for guidance and instructions; and

Contact Deputy Clerk's office at (409) 654-7000 for other courthouse matters

Source text: d. For any other Courthouse matters, please contact the office of the Deputy Clerk in Charge of the Be umont Division at (409) 654-7000.

Impaneled jurors may check electronic devices into Clerk's Office and access during breaks

Source text: With respect to electronic communication devices, in addition to the restrictions provided in General Order 18-6, impaneled petit and grand jurors may check such devices into the Clerk s Office and access them during breaks in the judicial proceedings.

Attorneys must contact judge's chambers by phone, then email if needed, before court appearances.

Source text: b. If you are an attorney scheduled to appear in court before a judge, please contact that judge s chambers directly by telephone, and if necessary, follow up by email;

Contact Probation/Pretrial Services Office directly for meetings.

Source text: c. If you are scheduled to meet with a Probation or Pretrial Services Officer, please contact the Probation and Pretrial Services Office directly for guidance and instructions; and

Contact Deputy Clerk's office at (409) 654-7000 for other courthouse matters.

Source text: d. For any other Courthouse matters, please contact the office of the Deputy Clerk in Charge of the Be umont Division at (409) 654-7000.

Contact Lisa Hardwick for scheduling matters, Judge Mitchell's law clerk for substantive matters.

Source text: Questions concerning scheduling matters in criminal and civil cases shall be directed to Lisa Hardwick. Questions concerning substantive matters in criminal or civil cases shall be directed to Judge Mitchell=s Law Clerk(s).

Discovery disputes hotline: (903) 590-1198.

Source text: The hotline number is (903) 590-1198. See Local Rule CV-26(e).

Electronic filing HelpLine: 1-866-251-7534.

Source text: The electronic filing HelpLine is 1-866-251-7534.