Angelina County District Court, Texas Document Filing Requirements

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Fee payment disapproval

If the trial judge recommends disapproving the requested payment amount, the judge must make written findings stating the different amount.

4. If the trial judge recommends disapproval of the requested amount of payment, the Judge shall make written findings, stating the amount of amount different from the requested amount.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Application for appointment of attorney

The attorney-appointment application form calls for the defendant’s sworn statement that they cannot afford chosen counsel and request appointed counsel.

THE DEFENDANT, BEING DULY SWORN, SAYS THE FOLLOWING: "ON THIS THE _____ DAY OF _____ 20_, I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE COURT OF THE CHARGE PENDING AGAINST ME. I CERTIFY THAT I AM WITHOUT MEANS TO EMPLOY COUNSEL BY MY OWN CHOOSING AND I HEREBY REQUEST THE COURT APPOINT COUNSEL FOR ME."

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition

If the Petitioner omits the order from the petition or its copies, the Clerk must attach it when the petition is filed.

At the time the petition is filed, if the Petitioner has failed to attach a copy of this order to the petition and any copy of the petition, the Clerk shall ensure that a copy of this order is attached to the petition and every copy of the petition presented.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Application to be placed on public appointment list

The attorney’s application for placement on the Public Appointment List must include the phone and email addresses, which serve as official contact information for appointment and hearing notifications.

These phone and email addresses shall be included in the attorneys Application To Be Placed On Public Appointment List and shall be the official numbers which will be utilized by Court personnel to notify counsel of their appointment and of hearing settings.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Contact information change notice

Appointed Counsel must notify each County and District Court in writing of any change to the phone or FAX numbers before the change.

Any change in these numbers shall be given in writing to each County and District Court prior to the change.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Supplemental jury instructions

Additional questions, definitions, and explanatory instructions arising from either party's submission must be furnished to the court and opposing counsel before jury selection.

- (b). Any additional questions, definitions and explanatory instructions raised as a result of either of the plaintiff's or defendant's submission shall be furnished to the court and to opposing counsel prior to jury selection.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleadings

Must include

ai disclosure

An attorney or self-represented litigant who uses generative AI in work product, research, or drafting must include the required verification in their pleadings.

As a result of Generative AI's tendency to fabricate and malfunction, the Court hereby ORDERS any attorney or self-represented litigant who chooses to use Generative AI in their work product, research, or drafting must include the following verification in bold in their pleadings:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Defense proposed jury instructions

Defense counsel announcing ready for trial must submit the specified proposed instructions, definitions, and pleading-raised questions to the court and opposing counsel on docket-call day.

- (a). Each defense counsel announcing ready for trial shall submit to the court and opposing counsel on the day of docket call all proposed instructions, definitions and questions raised by the defendant's pleadings.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

When the Master tenders a copy of the appointment order, the county court clerk must record it in the court minutes.

The Clerk of the Court of any County in the State to which this Master may be assigned shall record a copy of this Order in the Minutes of the Court upon the tender of a copy of this Order by the Master.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing materials

A party must bring information sufficient to identify the parent's net resources and ability to pay child support, including the most recent pay stub, to the hearing.

Bring to the hearing: - 4.1 Information sufficient to accurately identify that parent's net resources and ability to pay child support, including, but not limited to, the party's most recent pay stub;

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Public appointment list application

An attorney seeking placement on a Public Appointment List must file the sworn application with the Board of Judges.

Attorneys who desire to represent indigent persons shall file a sworn APPLICATION TO BE PLACED ON PUBLIC APPOINTMENT LISTS FOR ANGELINA COUNTY (attached hereto as Exhibit "A") with the Board of Judges to have his/her name approved on one or more of the Public Appointment Lists.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Annual submission to texas indigent defense commission

Attorneys must submit an annual report online to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission by October 15, reporting the percentage of practice time devoted to qualifying county appointments during the prior October 1–September 30 period.

Attorneys must make an online submission to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission by October 15 each year with the percentage of the attorney's practice time that was dedicated to work based on appointments accepted in this county for adult criminal and juvenile delinquency cases for the prior 12 months that begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. (Art. 26.04(j)(4), CCP)

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Order appointing counsel

Upon determining indigence, the appointing authority or designee must sign an Order Appointing Counsel.

Upon determination of indigence, the appointing authority or person(s) designated by the authority shall sign an Order Appointing Counsel, attached hereto as Exhibit "E" as soon as possible, but not later than the end of the third working day after the date on which the appointing authority or designee receives and eligible defendant's request for counsel.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Attorney fee voucher

The attorney fee voucher includes an attorney certification that the information is accurate and the claimed compensation and expenses were reasonable and necessary.

18. Attorney Certification — I, the undersigned attorney, certify that the above information is true and correct and in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. The compensation and expenses claimed were reasonable and necessary to provide effective assistance of counsel.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court recorder log and exhibits

After a proceeding ends, the court recorder must file the original log and exhibits with the clerk.

Filing with the clerk the original log and exhibits after a proceeding ends

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Public appointment application

I, _____, a licensed attorney in Texas, State Bar of Texas Number _____, do hereby file this application in compliance with the LOCAL RULES OF ANGELINA COUNTY FOR THE TIMELY AND FAIR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANTS, and swear or affirm that the below information is true and accurate. Should any change in this information occur, I will file an Amended Application with the applicable Local Administrative District Judge within thirty days of the change.

I, _____, a licensed attorney in Texas, State Bar of Texas Number _____, do hereby file this application in compliance with the LOCAL RULES OF ANGELINA COUNTY FOR THE TIMELY AND FAIR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANTS, and swear or affirm that the below information is true and accurate. Should any change in this information occur, I will file an Amended Application with the applicable Local Administrative District Judge within thirty days of the change.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Expense request denial

When denying an expense request in whole or in part, the court must give written reasons, attach the denial to the confidential request, and submit both as a sealed exhibit to the record.

If the court denies in whole or in part the request for expenses, the court shall: - (a) state the reasons for the denial in writing; - (b) attach the denial to the Confidential request; and - (c) submit the request and denial as a sealed exhibit to the record.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written notice of contact number change

Counsel must notify each County and District Court in writing of any phone or fax number change before the change takes effect.

Any change in these numbers shall be given in writing to each County and District Court prior to the change.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Counsel request

A counsel request by a person arrested on an out-of-county warrant must be transmitted to the warrant-issuing county's appointing authority within 24 hours of the request.

Requests for counsel made by persons arrested on out-of-county warrants must be transmitted to the appointing authority of the county issuing the warrant within 24 hours of the request being made. [Art. 15.18(a-1), CCP]

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Petition

The Petitioner must attach this order to the original petition and each copy; if the Petitioner fails to do so when filing, the Clerk must ensure it is attached to the petition and every copy presented.

5.1 The Petitioner shall attach a copy of this order to the original petition and to each copy of the petition. At the time the petition is filed, if the Petitioner has failed to attach a copy of this order to the petition and any copy of the petition, the Clerk shall ensure that a copy of this order is attached to the petition and every copy of the petition presented.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Request for advance payment of investigative and expert expenses

Appointed counsel may submit a pretrial ex parte confidential request for advance investigative or expert expenses, and the request must include the specified information as applicable.

1. Appointed counsel may file with the trial court a pretrial ex parte confidential request for advance payment of investigative and expert expenses. The request for expenses must state, as applicable: - (a) the type of investigation to be conducted or the type of expert to be retained; - (b) specific facts that suggest the investigation will result in admissible evidence or that the services of an expert are reasonably necessary to assist in the preparation of a potential defense; and - (c) an itemized list of anticipated expenses for each investigation or each expert.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Appointment request and financial eligibility forms

A defendant who remains in custody without bonding must be presented to the appointing authority on the next working day after arrest to complete the Attorney Request Form and a financial questionnaire or Affidavit of Indigence.

A defendant who has not bonded and remains in custody shall be presented to the appointing authority on the next working day after arrest to complete the Attorney Request Form, attached hereto as Exhibit "B," and the Questionnaire Under Oath Concerning Financial Resources or the Affidavit of Indigence, attached hereto as Exhibit "C:" or "C-1".

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Hourly rate payment claim

Hourly-rate payment claims must include an itemized statement of the date, service performed, and time expended to the nearest tenth of an hour.

Claims for payment based on an hourly rate must include an itemized statement reflecting the date, service performed, and time expended to the nearest 1/10th of an hour.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Appointment and counsel request forms

A defendant who has bonded and does not remain in custody shall, prior to release from custody, be given the form Order to Appear for Appointment of Attorney, attached hereto as Exhibit "D", to appear at 8:30AM on the next working day after arrest to the appointing authority to complete the Attorney Request Form and Questionnaire Under Oath Concerning Financial Resources or Affidavit of Indigence.

A defendant who has bonded and does not remain in custody shall, prior to release from custody, be given the form Order to Appear for Appointment of Attorney, attached hereto as Exhibit "D", to appear at 8:30AM on the next working day after arrest to the appointing authority to complete the Attorney Request Form and Questionnaire Under Oath Concerning Financial Resources or Affidavit of Indigence.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Must include

ai disclosure

Information created or contributed to by generative AI must be independently verified as accurate by a human using traditional legal sources before submission to the Court.

- 2. Any information created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence-including, but not limited to, language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis – was, before submission to this Court, independently verified as accurate using traditional (non-AI) legal sources by a human being.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition

The Petitioner must attach a copy of the order to the original petition and every copy of the petition.

5.1 The Petitioner shall attach a copy of this order to the original petition and to each copy of the petition.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Payment request form

Counsel must submit a payment request form that itemizes services and service dates and separately reports time spent in and out of court representing the juvenile.

- B. Counsel shall submit a payment request form itemizing services for evidentiary court appearances including jury trials. The form shall itemize the services provided and the dates of the services. The form shall set out separately the total time spent out of court and the total time spent in court representing the juvenile.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Must include

ai disclosure

Attorneys and self-represented litigants who use AI for legal research, drafting, or analysis must sign and submit the attached certification before using AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, certifying human verification and acknowledging responsibility and potential sanctions.

All self-represented litigants and attorneys who utilize any form of artificial intelligence for legal research, drafting, or analysis in connection with a case before this Court shall, before using any AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, sign and submit the attached certification form, stating that: - 1. All language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence were, before submission, verified as accurate through traditional (non-AI) legal sources by a human being; and - 2. The attorney or self-represented litigant submitting such information understands and acknowledges that they are and will be held responsible and potentially sanctioned for their own, their staff's, or their co-counsel's failure to comply with this Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order appointing counsel

Counsel must be provided a copy of the Order Appointing Counsel.

provide counsel with a copy of the Order Appointing Counsel

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Counsel request form

When a defendant requests appointed counsel, the request form must be faxed to the appointing authority within 24 hours.

When a defendant requests appointment of counsel, the request form will be transmitted by facsimile within 24 hours to the appointing authority (Judges of District Courts or County Courts-at- Law).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Must include

ai disclosure

Failing to include the prescribed bold verification in a pleading prepared using Generative AI violates the Standing Order.

The Court hereby ORDERS it is a violation of this Standing Order if an attorney or self-represented litigant uses Generative AI in their work product, research, or drafting of a pleading and fails to include the above verbatim verification in bold in paragraph III.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Order to appear and appointment forms

Before release, a defendant who has bonded must be given an Order to Appear for the next working day at 8:30 AM and must complete the Attorney Request Form and a financial questionnaire or Affidavit of Indigence.

A defendant who has bonded and does not remain in custody shall, prior to release from custody, be given the form Order to Appear for Appointment of Attorney, attached hereto as Exhibit "D", to appear at 8:30 AM on the next working day after arrest to the appointing authority to complete the Attorney Request Form and Questionnaire Under Oath Concerning Financial Resources or Affidavit of Indigence.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Hearing materials

A party must bring to the hearing each child's health insurance information and the specified policy, card, and premium-cost materials.

4.2 Information regarding each child's health insurance: the name of the carrier, the policy number, a copy of the policy and schedule of benefits, a health insurance membership card, and proof of the cost of the child's portion of the premiums;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Plaintiff proposed jury instructions

Plaintiff's counsel announcing ready for trial must submit the plaintiff's proposed instructions, definitions, and pleading-raised questions to the court and opposing counsel at docket call.

3.3.4 Jury Charges. Each plaintiff's counsel announcing ready for trial shall, in good faith, submit to the court and opposing counsel at docket call the plaintiff's proposed instructions, definitions and questions raised by the plaintiff's pleadings.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Counsel request forms

For an out-of-county warrant arrest, the magistrate must explain how to request counsel and provide reasonable assistance completing the necessary request forms for the warrant-issuing county.

For a person arrested on an out-of-county warrant, the magistrate must ask if the person wants to request counsel, inform the person of the procedures for requesting counsel, and ensure the person is provided reasonable assistance in completing the necessary forms for requesting counsel in the county issuing the warrant. [Art. 15.18(a-l), CCP]

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Annual state bar continuing legal education reporting form

A copy of the attorney's annual State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education reporting form must be filed with the Juvenile Court each year.

A copy of an attorney's annual State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education annual reporting form shall be filed each year with the Juvenile Court.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Application form

An attorney must complete the application form to be included on the appointment list.

An attorney must complete the application form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Appendix

Each party must file an appendix with its brief containing written transcriptions of all relevant portions of the recorded reporter’s record and copies of exhibits relevant to the appellate issues.

Each party shall file with its brief an appendix containing a written transcription of all portions of the recorded reporter’s record and a copy of all exhibits relevant to the issues raised on appeal.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Advance payment request

If appointed counsel submits a request for advance investigative or expert expenses, it must state the applicable investigation or expert type, supporting facts, and itemized anticipated expenses.

Appointed counsel may file with the trial court a pretrial ex parte confidential request for advance payment of investigative and expert expenses. The request for expenses must state, as applicable: (a) the type of investigation to be conducted or the type of expert to be retained; - (b) specific facts that suggest the investigation will result in admissible evidence or that the services of an expert are reasonably necessary to assist in the preparation of a potential defense; and - (c) an itemized list of anticipated expenses for each investigation or each expert.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

attorney or self-represented litigant to attach copies of all case law cited with highlighted portions referenced in all future pleadings with the Court.

attorney or self-represented litigant to attach copies of all case law cited with highlighted portions referenced in all future pleadings with the Court.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Application to be placed on public appointment list

The application to be placed on the Public Appointment List must include the phone and FAX numbers, which Court personnel will use for appointment and hearing notifications.

These phone and FAX numbers shall be included in the attorneys Application To Be Placed On Public Appointment List and shall be the official numbers which will be utilized by Court personnel to notify counsel of their appointment and of hearing settings.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice for appearance for appointment of counsel

A bonded defendant who will be released from custody must receive the Notice for Appearance for Appointment of Counsel before release.

A defendant who has bonded and does not remain in custody shall, prior to release from custody, be given the form Notice for Appearance for Appointment of Counsel, attached hereto as Exhibit "D", to appear at 8:30AM for District Courts, and 1:30PM for County Courts at Law, on the next working day after arrest before the appointing authority to complete the Attorney Request Form and Questionnaire Under Oath Concerning Financial Resources.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Indigency determination request

An applicant seeking an indigency determination and appointed counsel must complete a sworn financial questionnaire, respond under oath about financial resources, or do both and submit to examination.

A juvenile, parent or person responsible for the support of the child who requests a determination of indigency and appointment of counsel shall: - 1. complete under oath a questionnaire concerning financial resources, or - 2. respond under oath regarding financial resources, or - 3. complete questionnaire and respond to examination.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Public appointment list application

Attorneys seeking to represent indigent persons must file a sworn application with the Board of Judges for approval on one or more public appointment lists.

Attorneys who desire to represent indigent persons shall file a sworn APPLICATION TO BE PLACED ON PUBLIC APPOINTMENT LISTS FOR ANGELINA COUNTY (attached hereto is Exhibit "A") with the Board of Judges to have his/her name approved on one or more of the Public Appointment Lists.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Request for hearing

Must include

certificate of conference

A hearing request must be accompanied by a written Certificate of Conference containing the stated authority and conference information, except that subsection (c) does not apply to summary-judgment or venue-transfer motions.

3.2.3 Certificate of Conference. A request for hearing shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Conference, which shall: - a. be in writing; - b. include authority relied upon by movant or respondent; - c. contain a certificate that: - 1. The movant and respondent have conferred with each other and in good faith have attempted to resolve the matter; but have failed, and, - 2. identifies the matters in dispute; - d. be filed prior to hearing. - e. Section 3.2.3 (c) does not apply to motions for summary judgment or motions to transfer venue.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Financial questionnaire

The completed financial questionnaire must be sworn to before a notary.

After completing the questionnaire, you must swear to its truthfulness before a Notary, which is available.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Hearing materials

A party must bring to the hearing information identifying that parent's net resources and ability to pay child support, including the most recent pay stub.

4.1 Information sufficient to accurately identify that parent's net resources and ability to pay child support, including, but not limited to, the party's most recent pay stub;

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Public appointment list application

Attorneys seeking to represent indigent persons must file the sworn application with the Board of Judges.

Attorneys who desire to represent indigent persons shall file a sworn APPLICATION TO BE PLACED ON PUBLIC APPOINTMENT LISTS FOR ANGELINA COUNTY (attached hereto as Exhibit "A") with the Board of Judges to have his/her name approved on one or more of the Public Appointment Lists.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing materials

A party must bring the specified health insurance information and documents for each child to the hearing.

4.2 Information regarding each child's health insurance: the name of the carrier, the policy number, a copy of the policy and schedule of benefits, a health insurance membership card, and proof of the cost of the child's portion of the premiums;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court recorder log

The court recorder must make a detailed, legible log containing the specified proceeding, speaker, event, and exhibit information.

Making a detailed, legible log for all proceedings being recorded, indexed by the date and location of each event being recorded, and showing the number and style of the proceeding before the court, the correct name of each person speaking, the nature of the proceeding (e.g. voir dire, opening, examination of witnesses, cross-examination, argument, bench conferences, whether in the presence of the jury, etc.), the time of the day of each event and, the offer, admission or exclusion of all exhibits;