Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 10 pages. Details: delivery within 7 days. Courtesy copies required for all documents over 10 pages, including exhibits, delivered within 7 days of filing; fax/email prohibited.
The rule does not state that a pre-motion letter is required, but it sets the applicable pre-motion procedure. Counsel must confer with opposing counsel on all motions to reach agreement before filing.
Judge John A. Kazen's rule states these limits: 25 pages. All memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins unless leave of court is granted.
Judge John A. Kazen's rule states these limits: 25 pages. All memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point double-spaced font, and 1-inch margins.
Judge John A. Kazen's formatting rule includes file format docx. Proposed Findings of Fact must be filed electronically in Microsoft Word format.
The rule requires certificate of service. Letters to the Court require copies to all parties served prior to or at filing; discovery/scheduling letters must be filed in docket.
The rule requires proposed order. Agreed extensions/continuances require submitted agreed motion and proposed order to be binding on Court.
Parties may contact Judge John A. Kazen's clerk by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. All documents must be filed through the CM/ECF electronic case filing system.
Judge John A. Kazen's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Pleadings with personal data identifiers must comply with S.D. Texas General Order #2004-11 on personal privacy in public case files.
Requests should be made at least 5 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge John A. Kazen. Travel requests must be submitted to Chambers 5 business days before deadline, with exceptions for medical emergencies/funerals; copy to Probation required.
No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. Required attachments must be filed as separate documents, not bundled together.
All documents must be filed through the CM/ECF electronic case filing system.
Case-related telephone inquiries must be limited to procedural matters, directed only to the Case Manager, not to the Court’s secretary or law clerks, and casual status inquiries are prohibited.
Status inquiries must be directed to CM/ECF/PACER systems or the Clerk’s Office, not the Case Manager.
Case-related correspondence must be addressed to the Case Manager at the provided mailing address or email.
Letters to the Court must not address substantive issues, and copies of all letters must be filed.
Urgent documents may be sent via First Class Mail to Chambers or the Case Manager, with copies to all parties, and service copies must be sent simultaneously to all counsel.
Service copies of all documents must be sent to all counsel of record simultaneously with or before transmission to the Court, using the same method.
Faxing documents to the Court is prohibited without express prior permission from the Court.
Letters to the Court may be hand-delivered, mailed, or emailed; copies to all parties required, discovery/scheduling letters must be filed in docket.
Letters to the Court require copies to all parties served prior to or at filing; discovery/scheduling letters must be filed in docket.
Courtesy copies required for all documents over 10 pages, including exhibits, delivered within 7 days of filing; fax/email prohibited.
Counsel should contact Case Manager at (956) 726-2332 for immediate attention matters.
Copy of emergency motion must be sent to Chambers after electronic filing, matter brought to Court’s attention promptly.
Travel requests must be submitted to Chambers 5 business days before deadline, with exceptions for medical emergencies/funerals; copy to Probation required.
Extensions/continuances must be filed prior to controlling deadline, granted only at Court’s discretion; good cause exempts from rule.
Agreed extensions/continuances require submitted agreed motion and proposed order to be binding on Court.
Trial continuances generally not granted due to witness unavailability.
Pro hac vice motions must include averment of familiarization with Local Rules and these Procedures.
Counsel must confer with opposing counsel on all motions to reach agreement before filing.
Motions must include certificate of conference with opposing counsel; unopposed motions must note this in caption.
Motions with factual issues must be supported by affidavit/declaration detailing material facts.
All memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins unless leave of court is granted.
Memoranda with more than 10 pages of argument must include table of contents, table of authorities, case nature/status, issues/standard of review, argument summary, headings, conclusion, and proposed orders.
Pleadings with personal data identifiers must comply with S.D. Texas General Order #2004-11 on personal privacy in public case files.
Exhibit and witness lists (originals plus two copies each) must be provided to the Court at evidentiary hearings.
Motions to Suppress must be pleaded with specificity, not filed solely for discovery, and comply with Local Rules; non-compliant motions will be struck.
Motions to Dismiss, Sever, and for Separate Trial must be specific and brought to the Court’s attention at least 30 days before jury selection.
Filings prepared with generative AI must be reviewed for accuracy; filers are accountable for all content regardless of AI use; General Order 2025-04 on generative AI is adopted.
Parties must conduct timely plea negotiations, review plea agreements before FPTC, and be ready to plead or proceed to trial at FPTC; monthly FPTC is held to rule on motions and conduct re-arraignments.
Exhibit lists must use the attached form, also available on the Court’s website.