Cameron County District Courts Document Format Requirements

Pleadings, motions, orders, other papers, and attached exhibits must be descriptively titled and prepunched at the top for the clerk’s flat-filing system.

All pleadings, Motions, Orders, and other papers, including exhibits attached thereto, when offered for filing or entry, shall be descriptively titled and pre punched at the top of the page to accommodate the Clerk's 2 V*" center to center flat- filing system.

Each page of an instrument must be numbered and identified in the lower margin, such as “Plaintiffs Original Petition - page 2.”

Each page of each instrument shall, in the lower margin thereof, be numbered and tilted, e^, Plaintiffs Original Petition - page 2.

Electronically filed documents must be formatted for printing on 8½-inch by 11-inch paper.

Electronically-filed documents must also be formatted for printing on 8 ½-inch by 11-inch paper.

Electronically filed documents must be computer-formatted in accordance with TexasOnline specifications.

Electronically-filed documents must be computer-formatted as specified by TexasOnline.

Format

PAPER

Judges must sign paper copies of court orders, judgments, rulings, notices, and other court-produced documents.

Judges shall continue to sign paper copies of court orders, judgments, rulings, notices and other court-produced documents ("court orders").

Format

PDF

An electronically filed document must be text-searchable PDF, directly converted rather than scanned when possible, unlocked, and compliant with the specified Technology Standards.

An electronically filed document must: (1) be in text-searchable portable document format (PDF); (2) be directly converted to PDF rather than scanned, if possible; (3) not be locked; and (4) otherwise comply with the Technology Standards set by the Judicial Committee on Information Technology and approved by the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Documents containing improperly filed sensitive data must not be posted on the internet.

Rule 5.6 Restriction on Remote Access Documents that contain sensitive data in violation of these rules must not be posted on the internet.

Applies to

Pleading, plea, motion, or application

A pleading, plea, motion, or application not presented during a hearing or trial must be filed with the clerk in writing.

Every pleading, plea, motion, or application to the court for an order, whether in the form of a motion, plea, or other form of request, unless presented during a hearing or trial, shall must be filed with the clerk of the court in writing

Required

Always

Format

PDF

Electronically filed documents must be text-searchable PDFs, preferably converted rather than scanned, cannot be locked, and must comply with the applicable Technology Standards.

An electronically filed document must: (A) be in text-searchable portable document format (PDF); (B) be directly converted to PDF rather than scanned, if possible; (C) not be locked; and (D) otherwise comply with the Technology Standards set by the Judicial Committee on Information Technology and approved by the Supreme Court.

An electronically served, filed, or court-issued document is signed if it contains a typed “/s/” and name, unless notarized or sworn, or contains an electronic or scanned signature image.

A document that is electronically served, filed, or issued by a court or clerk is considered signed if the document includes: (1) a “/s/” and name typed in the space where the signature would otherwise appear, unless the document is notarized or sworn; or (2) an electronic image or scanned image of the signature.

A paper-filed document must include the original and one unbound copy unless local law requires otherwise, and an unbound appendix copy must have a separate page before each document and no tabs extending beyond the page edge.

(1) Paper Copies in General. Document Filed in Paper Form. If a document is not electronically filed, A a party must file: the original and one unbound copy of the document unless otherwise required by local rule. The unbound copy of an appendix must contain a separate page before each document and must not include tabs that extend beyond the edge of the page.

Appellate-court documents, including paper copies of electronically filed documents, must follow the specified form unless the court accepts another form.

A document filed with an appellate court, including a paper copy of an electronically filed document, must — unless the court accepts another form in the interest of justice — be in the following form:

Format

PDF

An electronically filed document must be a text-searchable PDF.

(1) be in text-searchable portable document format (PDF);

An electronically filed document must not be locked.

(3) not be locked;

An electronically filed document and its appendix must be combined into one file unless that file would exceed the electronic filing manager's size limit.

(4) be combined with any appendix into one computer file, unless that file would exceed the size limit prescribed by the electronic filing manager; and

Electronically filed documents must otherwise comply with the Supreme Court-approved Technology Standards of the Judicial Committee on Information Technology.

(5) otherwise comply with the Technology Standards set by the Judicial Committee on Information Technology and approved by the Supreme Court.

The postconviction habeas application form must be computer-generated, typewritten, or legibly handwritten.

The application form must be computer-generated, typewritten, or legibly handwritten legibly.

A computer-generated memorandum must use at least 14-point conventional type, with footnotes permitted at no less than 12-point.

A computer-generated memorandum must be printed in a conventional typeface no smaller than 14-point except for footnotes, which must be no smaller than 12-point.

A typewritten document must use standard 10-character-per-inch monospaced type.

A typewritten document must be printed in standard 10-character-per-inch (cpi) monospaced typeface.

The trial court clerk must prepare one consolidated clerk’s record containing required and requested documents, with each document starting on a new page, filing dates included, documents arranged chronologically, and consecutive page numbering from the first-volume front cover through the final page.

The trial court clerk must prepare and file the clerk’s record in accordance with Rules of Appellate Procedure 34.5 and 35. Even if more than one notice of appeal or request for inclusion of items is filed, the clerk should prepare only one consolidated record in a case. To prepare the clerk’s record, the trial court clerk must: (a) gather the documents required by Rule of Appellate Procedure 34.5(a) and those requested by a party under Rule of Appellate Procedure 34.5(b); (b) start each document on a new page; (c) include the date of filing on each document; (d) arrange the documents in ascending chronological order, by date of filing or occurrence; (e) start the page numbering on the front cover of the first volume of the clerk’s record and continue to number all pages consecutively – including the front and back covers, tables of contents, certification page, and separator pages, if any – until the final page of the clerk’s record, without regard for the number of volumes in the clerk’s record, and place each page number at the bottom of each page;

Format

PDF

Each computer file in an electronic clerk’s record must be a text-searchable PDF.

file each computer file in text-searchable Portable Document Format (PDF)

Each sealed document must be filed separately from the rest of the electronic clerk’s record and identified as sealed in its file name.

file each sealed document separately from the remainder of the clerk’s record and include the word “sealed” in the computer file name

A paper clerk’s record must be bound in one or more volumes with a top-bound two-inch-capacity removable fastener and no other binding materials.

bind the documents together in one or more volumes with a top bound, two-inch capacity, two-and-three-quarter-inch, center-to-center removable fastener and no other binding materials, like wax, ribbon, glue, staples, tape, etc.

A paper clerk’s record must contain only one-sided document copies.

include only one-sided copies in the clerk’s record

Each sealed document in the clerk’s record must be placed in a securely sealed manila envelope and must not be bound with the other record documents.

(f) place each sealed document in a securely sealed, manila envelope that is not bound with the other documents in the clerk’s record.

An electronically filed record must include a scanned required signature or a typed “/s/” and the signer’s name in the signature space.

If the record is filed in electronic format, the court reporter or recorder must include either a scanned image of any required signature or “/s/” and name typed in the space where the signature would otherwise appear.

A court reporter or recorder must not lock any document included in the reporter’s record.

A court reporter or recorder must not lock any document that is part of the record.

When practicable, documents in the clerk’s record must be copied legibly on opaque, white, 8½-by-11-inch paper.

(b) make a legible copy of the documents on opaque, white, 8½ X 11 inch paper, if practicable;

Documents in the clerk’s record must be arranged in ascending chronological order by filing date or occurrence date.

(c) arrange the documents in ascending chronological order, by date of filing or occurrence;

Pages in the clerk’s record must be consecutively numbered in the bottom right-hand corner.

(d) consecutively number the pages in the bottom right-hand corner;

The documents in the clerk’s record must be bound together in one or more groups under a heavy cover.

(e) bind the documents together in one or more group under a heavy cover;

Two-sided copies may be included if the clerk’s record will lie flat when opened; otherwise, only one-sided copies may be included.

(b) If the clerk’s record will lie flat when opened, two-sided copies may be included in the clerk’s record; otherwise, only one-sided copies may be included.

Each individual document in the clerk’s record must begin on a new page.

(c) Each individual document must start on a new page.

The front cover of each second and subsequent volume of the clerk's record must contain the same information and substantially the same form as the first volume, although delivery and filing statements may be omitted.

(j) The front cover of the second and subsequent volumes of the clerk's record must include the same information and be in substantially the same form except that second and subsequent volumes may, but need not, include statements of delivery and filing.

The clerk must include a detailed, double-spaced index on the first pages of the clerk's record identifying each document, its filing date, and first page, ordered as the documents appear in the record rather than alphabetically.

(k) The clerk must prepare and include on the first pages of the clerk's record a detailed index identifying each document included in the clerk's record, the date of filing, and the page where it first appears. The index must be double spaced and conform to the order in which matters appear in the clerk's record, rather than in alphabetical order.

The court of appeals clerk must send the appellate record and related papers to the Court of Criminal Appeals in one or more specified heavy-duty envelopes marked with both the trial-court and court-of-appeals case identifiers.

The court of appeals clerk must gather together the appellate record and the papers filed in the court of appeals and file them with the clerk of the Court of Criminal Appeals in one or more envelopes that conform to the following specifications: (1) extra-heavyweight stock; (2) one-piece construction with flaps; (3) congress-tie, noncollapsing-style construction with closed corners; (4) dimensions of 11½ inches in width, 9 inches in height, and a thickness of 1, 1½, 2, 3, or 4 inches; and (5) the front of each envelope must show the trial court style and case number and the court of appeals style and case number.

All pleadings, motions, orders, other papers, and attached exhibits must be descriptively titled, prepunched at the top, and have every page numbered and titled in the lower margin.

All pleadings, Motions, Orders, and other papers, including exhibits attached thereto, when offered for filing or entry, shall be descriptively titled and pre punched at the top of the page to accommodate the Clerk's 2 %" center to center flat- filing system. Each page of each instrument shall, in the lower margin thereof, be numbered and titled, e.g.. Plaintiffs Original Petition - page 2.

The appellate record must be prepared in the form attached as Appendix C.

Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 34.4, the Court of Criminal Appeals orders that the appellate record be in the form attached as Appendix C.

Non-electronic pleadings must be written, signed, filed on approximately 8½-by-11-inch paper, and may use recycled paper, which is strongly encouraged.

Pleadings that are not filed electronically must be in writing, on paper measuring approximately 8 ½ inches by 11 inches, and signed by the party or his attorney.,and either the signed original together with any verification or a copy of said original and copy of any such verification shall be filed with the court. The use of recycled paper is strongly encouraged.

Documents must be printed on both sides of the paper.

Printing may must be on both one sides of the paper.

Documents must be produced on 8½-by-11-inch white or nearly white opaque paper.

The paper on which the a document is produced must be 8½ by 11 inches, white or nearly white, and opaque. Paper must be 8½ by 11 inches.

Margins

top 1 in, bottom 1 in, left 1 in, right 1 in

Documents must have at least one-inch margins on all sides.

Papers Documents must have at least one-inch margins on both sides and at the top and bottom.

Document text must be double-spaced, although footnotes, block quotations, short lists, and issues or points of error may be single-spaced.

Text must be double-spaced, but footnotes, block quotations, short lists, and issues or points of error may be single-spaced.

Computer-produced documents must use a conventional typeface of at least 14 points, or at least 12 points for footnotes; typewritten documents must use standard 10-cpi monospaced type.

A document produced on a computer must be printed in a conventional typeface no smaller than 14-point except for footnotes, which must be no smaller than 12-point. A typewritten document must be printed in standard 10-character-per-inch (cpi) monospaced typeface.

Paper documents must be securely bound; they should be stapled once at the top left or bound to lie flat, and paper petitions or briefs should have durable non-plastic covers that are not red, black, or dark blue.

A paper document must be bound so as to ensure that it will not lose its cover or fall apart in regular use. A paper document should be stapled once in the top left-hand corner or be bound so that it will lie flat when open. A paper petition or brief should have durable front and back covers which must not be plastic or be red, black, or dark blue.

A paper appendix may be bound with its related document or separately; if separate, it must comply with paragraph (f), and paper records or appendices should be tabbed and indexed; electronic records or appendices with more than one item must include bookmarks for each item.

An paper appendix may be bound either with the document to which it is related or separately. If separately bound, the appendix must comply with paragraph (f). An paper record in an original proceeding or a paper appendix should must be tabbed and indexed. An electronically filed record in an original proceeding or an electronically filed appendix that includes more than one item must contain bookmarks to assist in locating each item.

An electronically filed document should be directly converted to PDF rather than scanned when conversion is possible.

(2) be directly converted to PDF rather than scanned, if possible;

The clerk’s record table of contents must be double-spaced and arranged in record order rather than alphabetically.

The table of contents must be double-spaced and conform to the order in which documents appear in the clerk’s record, rather than in alphabetical order.

Electronic bookmarks must mark the first page of each document in the clerk’s record.

create electronic bookmarks to mark the first page of each document in the clerk’s record

Each computer file should be limited to 100 MB or less when possible.

limit the size of each computer file to 100 MB or less, if possible

Format

PDF

The clerk should directly convert the record to PDF rather than scan it, when possible.

directly convert, rather than scan, the record to PDF, if possible

The electronic clerk’s record must comply with the Technology Standards set by the Judicial Committee on Information Technology.

comply with the Technology Standards set by the Judicial Committee on Information Technology

Electronic record file names must identify the record as CR, include the two-digit volume number, total volume count, a period, and the PDF extension.

include the following elements in the computer file name, exemplified as CR (01 of 02).pdf: “CR”; the volume number, using at least two digits, with leading zeroes if needed; “of”; and the total number of volumes; a period; and “pdf”

A supplement to the clerk’s record must include its supplement number and the word “Supp” in the file name.

if filing a supplement to the clerk’s record, include the number of the supplement and “Supp”

Documents included in the electronic clerk’s record must not be locked.

not lock any document that is part of the record

Paper clerk’s-record volumes must be numbered sequentially, beginning with volume 1.

number the first volume “1” and each succeeding volume sequentially

The court reporter or recorder must bookmark the first page of each exhibit document in exhibit volumes.

In exhibit volumes, the court reporter or recorder must create bookmarks to mark the first page of each exhibit document.

The first clerk’s-record volume should be numbered 1, and each succeeding volume should be numbered sequentially.

(d) The first volume should be numbered “1” and each succeeding volume numbered sequentially.

Page numbering should begin on the first page of the first volume and continue through the final page without regard to the number of volumes.

(e) Page numbering should start on the first page of the first volume of the clerk’s record and continue to the final page of the clerk’s record without regard for the number of volumes in the clerk’s record.

As far as practicable, each order and judgment in the clerk’s record must show the date signed by the judge.

(h) As far as practicable, each order and judgment must show the date of signing by the judge.

A reporter’s record must comply with the Uniform Format Manual for Texas Court Reporters or face discipline by the Court Reporters Certification Board.

Failure of a reporter to comply with the requirements of the Uniform Format Manual for Texas Court Reporters is also subject to discipline by the Court Reporters Certification Board.

When practicable, a paper clerk’s record should be reproduced legibly on opaque white 8½-by-11-inch paper.

if practicable, make a legible copy of the documents on opaque, white, 8½ x 11 inch paper

It is preferred that the clerk’s record lie flat when opened.

(a) It is preferred that the clerk’s record lie flat when opened.

It is preferred that the clerk’s record be tabbed to identify the beginning of each document.

(f) It is preferred that the clerk’s record be tabbed to show the beginning of each document.