Bowie County District Court, Texas Chambers Communication Rules

WARNING

Counsel must obtain permission before approaching the Bench.

It shall be improper to approach the Bench without first obtaining permission to do so.

WARNING

When the Court is in session, counsel must address remarks to the Court, not opposing counsel or the Judge personally.

While the Court is in sessions all remarks of counsel shall be addressed to the Court and not to opposing counsel or the Judge as an individual.

WARNING

Counsel must address the Court respectfully by title and direct objections and legal arguments to the Court, not opposing counsel, using impersonal language.

The Court shall be respectfully and properly addressed by title at all times; all objections and legal arguments by counsel shall be directed to the Court and, not to opposing counsel, and shall be impersonal in addressing the Court.

WARNING

Counsel may not lean on the Bench or engage the Court in a confidential matter unless the Court permits or requests it.

Counsel shall never lean on the Bench or engage the Court in a confidential matter, except by permission or at the request of the Court.

WARNING

Counsel must obtain the Court’s permission before arguing an objection, and the Court may allow argument at its discretion.

There will be no arguments on objections. If counsel desires to argue his point after making his objection or on being overruled on an objection, he shall ask the permission of the Court. Argument may then be permitted on objections at the discretion of the Court.

WARNING

A request for returned document copies must include the number of copies requested and a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Request for copies of any document desired returned from Courts; Court Administrator, or District Clerk shall be accompanied by the number of copies of the document desired together with a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

WARNING

Counsel are admonished to follow ethical canons, including those concerning discussing case facts or law with the Court outside the courtroom without opposing counsel present.

All counsel are admonished to respect the letter and spirit of all canons of ethics including particularly those dealing with testimony by counsel participating in the trial, discussion of the facts or law of the case with the Court outside the courtroom and not in the presence of opposing counsel.

INFO

Requests for electronic document versions may be made to the court’s docket coordinator or the District Clerk’s office.

Requests for electronic versions may be made to the court’s docket coordinator or the District Clerk’s office.