Eastern District of Texas Document Format Requirements

Use hand sanitizer upon entering courthouse

Source text: Each person must use the hand sanitizer furnished at the front door upon entering the Courthouse;

Maintain social distancing and follow staff instructions in courthouse

Source text: Each person must maintain appropriate distancing from others in the Courthouse, to include sitting at the location assigned by a member of the court staff. Each person must follow the instructions of the court staff and court security officers ( CSOs ) to aid in maintaining distance in the Courthouse;

COVID-positive individuals prohibited from courthouse for 5 days

Source text: Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the prior five (5) days is prohibited from entering the Courthouse during the CDC recommended quarantine and isolation period.

Courtroom 3: max 12 spectators, 6ft apart, no under 18

Source text: Courtroom No. 3 - Limit of twelve (12) spectators, sitting six (6) feet apart. No persons under 18 years of age will be permitted in the courtroom;

Courtroom 4: 6ft apart for non-household, masks required

Source text: Courtroom No. 4 - All spectators who do not reside in the same household must sit six (6) feet apart, and all spectators must wear a face mask at all times;

Judge Stetson requires 6-foot distancing between non-household spectators and masks at all times.

Source text: Cases before United States Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson - All spectators who do not reside in the same household must sit six (6) feet apart, and all spectators must wear a face mask at all times.

All persons must maintain appropriate distancing and follow staff instructions in the Courthouse.

Source text: Each person must maintain appropriate distancing from others in the Courthouse, to include sittin at the location assigned by a member of the court staff. Each person must follow the instructions of the court staff and court security officers ( CSOs ) to aid in maintaining distance in the Courthouse;

Maintain appropriate distancing and follow staff instructions in the Courthouse.

Source text: Each person must maintain appropriate distancing from others in the Courthouse, to include sitting at the location assigned by a member of the court staff. Each person must follow the instructions of the court staff and court security officers (CSOs) to aid in maintaining distance in the Courthouse;

Use hand sanitizer at front door upon entering the Courthouse.

Source text: Each person must use the hand sanitizer furnished at the front door upon entering the Courthouse;

Persons who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days are prohibited from entering the Courthouse.

Source text: Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the prior five (5) days is prohibited from entering the Courthouse during the CDC recommended quarantine and isolation period.

Courtroom No. 3 limits spectators to 12, sitting 6 feet apart, no one under 18 allowed.

Source text: Courtroom No. 3 - Limit of twelve (12) spectators, sitting six (6) feet apart. No persons under 18 years of age will be permitted in the courtroom;

Courtroom No. 4 requires spectators from different households to sit 6 feet apart and wear masks at all times.

Source text: Courtroom No. 4 - All spectators who do not reside in the same household must sit six (6) feet apart, and all spectators must wear a face mask at all times;

Maintain appropriate distancing in the Courthouse as directed by staff.

Source text: Each person must maintain appropriate distancing from others in the Courthouse, to include sitting at the location assigned by a member of the court staff. Each person must follow the instructions of the court staff and court security officers ( CSOs ) to aid in maintaining distance in the Courthouse;

Use hand sanitizer at front door upon entering Courthouse.

Source text: Each person must use the hand sanitizer furnished at the front door upon entering the Courthouse;

Persons who tested positive for COVID-19 in past 5 days are prohibited from entering Courthouse.

Source text: Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the prior five (5) days is prohibited from entering the Courthouse during the CDC recommended quarantine and isolation period.

Courtroom 3: max 12 spectators, 6 feet apart, no one under 18.

Source text: Courtroom No. 3 - Limit of twelve (12) spectators, sitting six (6) feet apart. No persons under 18 years of age will be permitted in the courtroom;

Courtroom 4: non-household spectators 6 feet apart, all must wear masks.

Source text: Courtroom No. 4 - All spectators who do not reside in the same household must sit six (6) feet apart, and all spectators must wear a face mask at all times;

Judge Stetson requires 6-foot distancing between non-household spectators and masks for all spectators.

Source text: Cases before United States Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson - All spectators who do not reside in the same household must sit six (6) feet apart, and all spectators must wear a face mask at all times.

All persons must maintain appropriate distancing and follow staff instructions in the Courthouse.

Source text: Each person must maintain appropriate distancing from others in the Courthouse, to include sittin at the location assigned by a member of the court staff. Each person must follow the instructions of the court staff and court security officers ( CSOs ) to aid in maintaining distance in the Courthouse;

Highlight cited portions in courtesy copy affidavits/supporting documents.

Source text: Pursuant to Local Rule CV-7(b), highlight in the courtesy copy the portions of the affidavits or other supporting documents that are cited in your motion or response.

Print docketed version from CM-ECF with docket identifier on each page.

Source text: You should print the docketed version of your motion from CM-ECF so that your motion includes the docket identifier at the top of each page.

Exhibits must be in 3-ring binders (dark for Plaintiff, light for Defendant), max 3 inches width.

Source text: Copies of exhibits which will be handed to witnesses should be placed in a three ring binder, with an additional copy for the court. (To make it easy to direct the witness to the correct exhibit while on the stand, Plaintiff should use a dark colored binder such as black or dark blue. Defendants should use a light colored binder, such as white, red, or light blue.) No single binder of exhibits shall exceed three inches in width.

Attorneys, parties (except criminal defendants), and corporate representatives must wear standard business attire.

Source text: Attorneys, parties (except criminal defendants), and corporate representatives are required to wear standard business attire. For men, this includes a suit with coat and tie or a coat and tie with tailored slacks or khaki pants. A coat and tie with jeans or other denim pants are not acceptable. For women, this includes tailored suits and tailored dresses. Slacks are appropriate if part of a tailored suit. Slacks or skirts with a blouse or sweater, but without a jacket, are not acceptable. Extremely short skirts and other revealing clothing (tight, short, low-cut, thin) are not acceptable.

Jurors and witnesses must dress appropriately for the courtroom with specific clothing restrictions.

Source text: Jurors and Witnesses shall dress appropriately and respectfully for the courtroom. For men, other than uniformed law enforcement officers, this includes: a coat and, slacks or khaki pants. For women, other than uniformed law enforcement officers, this includes: tailored dresses; blouses or dress shirts with appropriate skirts, tailored slacks, or khaki pants. No shorts, jeans or other denim pants, overalls, scrubs, tee shirts, tank tops, mid-riff baring or other revealing or low cut clothing, extremely short skirts, sunglasses, flip-flops, or hats shall be permitted in the courtroom.

Spectators must dress appropriately for the courtroom with specific clothing restrictions.

Source text: Spectators are required to dress appropriately and respectfully for the courtroom. Men are required to wear coats. No shorts, scrubs, tee shirts, tank tops, mid-riff baring or other revealing or low cut clothing, extremely short skirts, sunglasses, flip-flops, or hats shall be permitted in the courtroom

Briefs must include jump cites to specific pages of cited cases.

Source text: The court requires concise, pertinent, and well-organized briefs and memoranda of law. Citations to cases must include jump cites to the specific pages relied upon to support the party’s position.

Voluminous exhibits must be organized in labeled folders within a standard box with handles.

Source text: If exhibits are voluminous, original exhibits should be placed in folders properly labeled with Exhibit Number in a standard-sized box with handles.

Motions over 20 pages require spiral or three-ring binding for courtesy copies.

Source text: If the motion with attachments exceeds twenty pages, the court requests that you bind the courtesy copy at the left to make it easier to read. This binding must be either spiral bound or three-hole punched and placed in a three-ring binder.