Judge Kim Laseter
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 2 copies
- By Noon Day Before Submission Hearing
- Not Less Than 24 Hours Before Hearing
Filing
- Within 48 Hours Of Scheduled Hearing
Adjournments
- Failure to timely schedule and complete mediation does not constitute adequate grounds for a continuance.
- Continuance motions, including unopposed motions, must be filed timely under the rules, and parties must appear at scheduled hearings unless the court gives prior notice that their presence is excused.
- A continuance or reset of the initial trial setting will not change existing deadlines unless the parties agree under Rule 11 or the court orders a change after a good-cause motion.
- +1 more
Request must include
Communication
Clerk
Document Format Requirements8 rules
Exhibits must be marked numerically on the front of their first page.
Exhibits must be marked on the front of the first page of the exhibit. Exhibits are to be marked numerically only.
Remote-hearing exhibits must be marked numerically on the first page with the offering party and exhibit number.
Exhibits are to be marked numerically only on the first page of the exhibit identifying the party that is making the offer and its exhibit number. (EXAMPLE: Petitioner’s Exhibit 1.)
Document and photograph exhibits must be submitted in PDF format.
All document and photograph exhibits are to be submitted in PDF format.
For jury cases, proposed jury charges must be provided to the Court Coordinator in hard copy and by email in editable Word format.
(1) For a jury case, proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) in hard copy and emailed in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator.
When exhibits are submitted in a tabbed binder, each individual exhibit must also bear its exhibit number.
If exhibits are provided in a binder with exhibit tabs, each individual exhibit must also be marked with the exhibit number.
Media exhibits are accepted when playable by QuickTime, VLC Media Player, or Windows Media Player, using one of the listed audio/video formats.
Media can be accepted if it is playable by one of the three major media players: QuickTime, VLC Media Player, or Windows Media Player. Audio/Video formats accepted - .avi, .wmv, .wav, .mpg, .mid, .asf, .mpeg, .mp1, .mp2, .mp3, .mp4, .m4v, .mpg, .ogg, .oga, .ogv, .webm
Remote-hearing media exhibits are accepted when playable by one of the three listed media players and submitted in an accepted audio/video format.
Media can be accepted if it is playable by one of three major media players: QuickTime, VLC Media Player, or Windows Media Player. Audio/Video formats accepted - .avi, .wmv, .wav, .mpg, .mid, .asf, .mpeg, .mp1, .mp2, .mp3, .mp4, .mp4v, .mpg, .ogg, .oga, .ogv, .webm.
In a jury case, each party must provide proposed jury charges in hard copy and email them to the Court Coordinator in editable Word format.
(1) For a jury case, proposed jury charges (instructions, definitions, and questions) in hard copy and emailed in editable Word format to the Court Coordinator.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
An agreed criminal order must be signed by both the State and defendant before being presented to the court.
Any agreed order must contain both the State and defendant’s signatures before presentation to the Court.
Document Type
Agreed Order
A party may not modify the court’s Discovery Control Plan without first obtaining leave of court.
Parties may not modify any 401st District Court Discovery Control Plan without prior leave of Court.
Document Type
Discovery Control Plan
Parties must use the court-provided Discovery Control Plan forms.
Parties must use the Discovery Control Plan forms provided by the 401 st District Court.
Document Type
Discovery Control Plan
Each represented or unrepresented party must provide a written summary of requested relief at all temporary-order and final hearings.
At all temporary orders and final hearings, each party, whether represented or not, shall provide the Court with your written summary of requested relief.
Document Type
Summary Of Requested Relief
Every agreed order must be signed as to form before it is electronically filed with the court.
Agreed Orders in any cause must be signed as to form before e-filing with the Court.
Document Type
Agreed Order
At the formal pretrial conference, parties must produce the documents required by the court’s discovery control plan or scheduling order.
Parties must produce documents required under the Court’s Discovery Control Plan/Scheduling Order at the Formal Pretrial Conference.
Document Type
Documents Required Under Discovery Control Plan Or Scheduling Order
Every discovery motion or request for a discovery hearing must include a certificate of conference.
**Per Rule 191.2, all discovery motions or requests for hearing relating to discovery must contain a certificate of conference.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Every discovery motion and every request for a discovery-related hearing must include a certificate of conference.
**Per Rule 191.2, all discovery motions or requests for hearing related to discovery must contain a certificate of conference.**
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Each party must designate deposition testimony offered through direct examination at the pretrial conference.
(4) Designation of deposition testimony to be offered in direct examination.
Document Type
Deposition Testimony Designation
All exhibits must be given to the court reporter pre-marked for identification to facilitate stipulations concerning authenticity and admissibility.
(3) All exhibits must be produced to the court reporter pre-marked for identification (for the purpose of stipulating to the authenticity and admissibility of exhibits)
Document Type
Exhibits
Each party must provide completed witness lists and exhibit lists at the pretrial conference.
(2) Completed witness lists and exhibit lists,
Document Type
Pretrial Conference Submission
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Attorneys must e-file their proposed orders before the hearing date.
Attorneys must e-file their proposed orders prior to the hearing date.
Page 3 | General Criminal Docket Procedures
If several attempts to agree on a trial date fail, electronically file a proposed scheduling order accompanied by a letter describing the conferral efforts.
If, after several attempts, you are unable to get an agreed trial date from opposing counsel, please e-file a proposed scheduling order with a letter describing your efforts to confer and agree.
Page 4 | Discovery Control Plans/Scheduling Orders
Notice of the summary judgment hearing must be filed into the case through efile.
Notice of hearing will be mailed to the parties and filed into the case via efile.
Page 5 | Motions for Summary Judgment
Filings made within 48 hours of a scheduled hearing must also be emailed to the court to help ensure acceptance on the case.
Late filings (within 48 hours of any scheduled hearing) must also be emailed to the Court to ensure the filing has been accepted on the case.
Page 6 | Orders in Civil and Family Cases
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Expert challenges must be heard by the formal pre-trial conference absent good cause, and written objections must be filed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Unless good cause is shown, all expert challenges (Daubert/Dupont) shall be heard no later than the Formal Pre-Trial Conference, and written objections must be on file at least 10 days before the hearing.
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
Dispositive motions must be filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before trial.
All dispositive motions (summary judgment, etc.) must be filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before trial.
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
Pre-trial motions must be filed at least 10 days before the formal pre-trial conference, when they will be heard.
All pre-trial motions shall be filed at least 10 days before the Formal Pre-trial Conference and will be heard at the Formal Pre-trial Conference.
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
A motion to compel must be filed within 14 days after the discovery deadline, or the complaint is waived except for exclusion under Rule 193.6.
Any motion to compel must be filed no later than 14 days after the discovery deadline or such complaint is waived, except for the sanction of exclusion under Rule 193.6.
Page 2 | Level 3 Additions
An untimely summary judgment motion filed under an approved discovery control plan will be denied.
Motions for Summary Judgment filed untimely pursuant to any Discovery Control Plan approved in any cause will be denied as being untimely filed.
Page 5 | Motions for Summary Judgment
Summary judgment motions must be filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before trial, and the deadline may not be moved without leave of court.
Pursuant to the Court’s scheduling order, all Motions for Summary Judgment must be filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before trial or they are waived, absent leave of Court. This deadline cannot be moved without leave of Court.
Page 5 | Motions for Summary Judgment
The listed pretrial materials must be exchanged no later than 14 days before trial, and the parties must confer about them before the pretrial date.
Parties are further required to exchange (not later Time: than 14 days before trial) and confer (before the date of pre-trial) regarding all materials stated in Rule 166(e)-(m), including specifically, proposed jury charges, witness lists (including any agreements on necessity for/issuance of subpoenas), exhibit lists (including conference on exhibits to be pre-admitted and exchange of demonstrative aids), and also designation of deposition testimony, and motions in limine.
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
All pretrial motions must be filed at least 10 days before the formal pretrial conference and will be heard at that conference.
All pre-trial motions (motions Date for Exchange: in limine, etc.) shall be filed at least 10 days before the formal pre-trial conference
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
Pretrial disclosures must be made at least 30 days before trial.
Parties are required to comply with Rule 194.4 (pre-trial disclosures must be made at least 30 days before trial.)
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
A motion to compel discovery responses must be filed within 10 days after discovery closes or the complaint is waived, subject to the Rule 193.6 exclusion sanction exception.
Any motion to compel responses to discovery must days after be filed no later than 10 days after the close of the discovery period or such complaint is discovery period waived, except for the sanction of exclusion under Rule 193.6.
Page 2 | Motions to Compel Discovery
Summary-judgment motions must be filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before trial unless the court grants leave.
All motions for summary judgment must be filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before trial or they are waived, absent leave of court.
Page 2 | Motions for Summary Judgment
Any objection or motion to exclude or limit expert testimony must be filed at least 30 days before trial and heard at or before the pre-trial conference; the deadline cannot be moved without leave of court.
MOTIONS TO EXCLUDE EXPERT TESTIMONY. Any objection or motion to exclude or limit Initial Trial Setting expert testimony must be filed at least 30 days before trial and heard at or before the Date: pre-trial conference or it is waived. **This deadline cannot be moved without leave of court.**
Page 3 | Motions to Exclude Expert Testimony
All dispositive motions must be filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before the first bench-trial setting.
30 days prior to DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS. All dispositive motions (summary judgment, etc.) must be first Trial Before filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before the first Trial Before the Court the Court Setting
Page 1 | DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS
All motions to compel must be filed and heard at least 30 days before the first bench-trial setting.
30 days prior to MOTIONS TO COMPEL. All motions to compel must be filed and heard at least 30 days before the first Trial Before the Court setting.
Page 1 | MOTIONS TO COMPEL
All Daubert or Dupont expert challenges must be filed at least 10 days before the first bench-trial setting or they are waived.
10 days prior to EXPERT CHALLENGES. All expert challenges (Daubert/Dupont) must be filed at least first Trial Before 10 days prior to the first Trial Before the Court setting or they are waived.
Page 1 | EXPERT CHALLENGES
All pretrial motions must be filed at least 10 days before the formal pretrial conference and will be heard at that conference.
All pre-trial motions (motions Date for Exchange: in limine, etc.) shall be filed at least 10 days before the formal pre-trial conference
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
Pretrial disclosures must be made at least 30 days before trial.
Parties are required to comply with Rule 194.4 (pre-trial disclosures must be made at least 30 days before trial.)
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
The parties must exchange the listed pretrial materials no later than 14 days before trial and confer about them before the pretrial date.
Parties are further required to exchange (not later than Time: 14 days before trial) and confer (before the date of pre-trial) regarding all materials stated in Rule 166(e)-(m), including specifically, proposed jury charges, witness lists (including any agreements on necessity for/issuance of subpoenas), exhibit lists (including conference on exhibits to be pre-admitted and exchange of demonstrative aids), and also designation of deposition testimony, and motions in limine.
Page 1 | Formal Pre-Trial Conference
A party seeking affirmative relief must serve its expert designation and provide written expert reports by the 120-day pretrial deadline.
120 days before EXPERT DESIGNATIONS OF PARTY SEEKING AFFIRMATIVE RELIEF. Parties seeking affirmative relief shall serve its designation of experts and provide written reports of such experts.
Page 2 | Expert Designations of Party Seeking Affirmative Relief
Motions to compel responses and objections or complaints concerning initial disclosures must be filed within 14 days after fact discovery closes, except for exclusion sanctions under Rule 193.6.
Any motion to compel responses to written discovery requests and/or all Date: objections or complaints about initial disclosures must be filed no later than 14 days after the close of fact discovery or such complaint is waived, except for the sanction of exclusion under Rule 193.6.
Page 2 | Fact Discovery Closes
All motions to compel arbitration must be both filed and heard by the scheduling order's arbitration deadline.
All motions to compel arbitration must be filed and heard by this date.
Page 2 | Arbitration
Amended pleadings asserting new affirmative claims or defenses must be filed and served on all other parties by the order's 150-day amended-pleadings deadline.
150 days before AMENDED PLEADINGS. Parties shall file with the Court and serve all other parties with any amended pleadings asserting new causes of action/claims for affirmative relief or defenses by this date.
Page 2 | Amended Pleadings
Fact-witness depositions must be completed no later than 110 days before the initial trial setting.
110 days before FACT DISCOVERY CLOSES. Fact witness depositions are to be completed by this date.
Page 2 | Fact Discovery Closes
A party opposing affirmative relief must serve its expert designation and provide written expert reports by the 90-day pretrial deadline.
90 days before EXPERT DESIGNATIONS OF PARTY OPPOSING AFFIRMATIVE RELIEF. Parties opposing affirmative relief shall serve its designation of experts and provide written reports of such experts.
Page 2 | Expert Designations of Party Opposing Affirmative Relief
Responses to amended pleadings, including affirmative defenses or special exceptions, may be filed within two weeks after the amended-pleadings deadline.
Responses to such Amended Pleadings, including and any all affirmative defenses and/or special exceptions may be filed within 2 weeks after this deadline.
Page 2 | Amended Pleadings
An objection or motion to exclude or limit expert testimony must be filed at least 30 days before trial and heard by the pre-trial conference or be waived; the deadline cannot be moved without leave of court.
30 days before MOTIONS TO EXCLUDE EXPERT TESTIMONY. Any objection or motion to exclude or limit Initial Trial Setting expert testimony must be filed at least 30 days before trial and heard at or before the pre- Date: trial conference or it is waived. **This deadline cannot be moved without leave of court.**
Page 3 | Motions to Exclude Expert Testimony
Summary-judgment motions must be filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before trial or be waived absent leave of court.
30 days before MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT. All motions for summary judgment motions must Initial Trial Setting be filed, set for hearing, and heard at least 30 days before trial or they are waived, absent Date: leave of court. **This deadline cannot be moved without leave of court.**
Page 3 | Motions for Summary Judgment
Responses to amended pleadings, including affirmative defenses and special exceptions, may be filed within two weeks after the amended-pleadings filing deadline.
Responses to amended pleadings, including and any all affirmative defenses and/or special exceptions may be filed within 2 weeks after this deadline.
Page 2 | Level 3 Additions
A Discovery Control Plan should be filed no later than 30 days after the answer.
A Discovery Control Plan should be filed not later than 30 days after answer.
Page 4 | Discovery Control Plans/Scheduling Orders
Attorneys must confirm with the clerk that all filings and responses were accepted before a hearing by submission.
It is the responsibility of the attorneys to confirm with the Clerk that all filings and responses have been accepted prior to the hearing on submission.
Page 5 | Hearings by Submission
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Notice of the summary judgment hearing must be mailed to the parties and filed into the case electronically.
Notice of hearing will be mailed to the parties and filed into the case via efile.
Page 5 | Motions for Summary Judgment
A party joining an additional party must serve the scheduling order on the new party concurrently with the joinder pleading.
Note: The party joining an additional party must serve a copy of this Order on the new after service party concurrently with the pleading joining the new party.
Page 2 | Joinder of Parties
Every party seeking to assert a new claim or defense through an amended pleading must serve all other parties when filing it with the court.
Parties shall file with the Court and serve all other parties with any amended pleadings asserting new causes of action/claims for affirmative relief or defenses by this date.
Page 2 | Amended Pleadings
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Movants and respondents must deliver logically organized hard copies to the court in a notebook by noon on the day before the summary judgment submission hearing.
The Movant(s) and Respondent(s) shall deliver to the Court hard copies, organized logically by Noon the day before the submission hearing date (in a notebook), containing the following for the benefit of the Court:
Page 5 | Motions for Summary Judgment
For a hearing by submission, parties must provide the court a courtesy notebook at least 24 hours beforehand containing the motions, responses, and a paper copy of the proposed order.
Parties must provide a courtesy notebook to the Court not less than 24 hours prior to any hearing by submission. The notebook should contain all motions/responses and paper copy of proposed order.
Page 5 | Hearings by Submission
Each party must provide two exhibit copies, one for the Court and one for the witness; a third copy for the opposing side is preferred.
It is required that each party provide two copies of exhibits: one for the Court and one for the witness. A third copy for the opposing side is preferred.
Page 7 | Trial and Hearing Exhibits
For filings within 48 hours of a scheduled hearing, parties should provide copies to the court because clerk acceptance is not guaranteed.
Because filings within 48 hours are not guaranteed to be accepted by the Clerk, parties should also provide copies to the Court of any filing within 48 hours of any scheduled hearing.
Page 6 | Orders in Civil and Family Cases
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Failure to timely schedule and complete mediation does not constitute adequate grounds for a continuance.
Failure to timely schedule and complete mediation will not be considered adequate grounds for a continuance.
Page 4 | Mediation
Continuance motions, including unopposed motions, must be filed timely under the rules, and parties must appear at scheduled hearings unless the court gives prior notice that their presence is excused.
Agreed and even unopposed Motions for Continuance are not automatically granted by the Court. Parties who file a Motion for Continuance must do so timely under the rules, and all parties, even if the continuance is unopposed, must appear at any scheduled hearing unless the parties receive prior notice from the Court that their presence is excused.
Page 5 | Motions for Continuance
A continuance or reset of the initial trial setting will not change existing deadlines unless the parties agree under Rule 11 or the court orders a change after a good-cause motion.
Reset or continuance of the Initial Trial Setting will not alter any deadline established by Time: this Order or established by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, unless specifically provided by Rule 11 of the parties or Court order after motion showing good cause.
Page 1 | Trial Setting
A reset or continuance of the initial trial setting does not alter existing deadlines absent a Rule 11 agreement or a court order entered after a motion showing good cause.
Reset or continuance of the Initial Trial Setting will not alter any deadline established by Time: this Order or established by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, unless specifically provided by Rule 11 Agreement of the parties or Court order after motion showing good cause.
Page 1 | Trial Setting
Chambers Communication Rules
Do not repeatedly contact Bailiff Jones about the same matter; if no response arrives within two business days, reply once and copy 401@co.collin.tx.us.
Do not send multiple emails or leave multiple voicemails requesting a response. Repeated contacts regarding the same matter slows down response time. If you do not receive a response from Bailiff Jones within 2 business days, please reply once and copy the 401 st email address – 401@co.collin.tx.us.
Page 1 | ADDITIONAL POLICIES APPLICABLE TO CRIMINAL CASES
For any criminal case setting, contact Bailiff Jones by email, copy the State, and include the defendant’s name, cause number, and attorney’s name.
Please contact Bailiff Jones by email for any criminal case setting and copy the State. Include the defendant’s name, cause number, and the attorney’s name.
Page 1 | ADDITIONAL POLICIES APPLICABLE TO CRIMINAL CASES
Civil and family case setting requests must be emailed to Charla Kiser with the cause number, all opposing parties, and a concise request.
Please contact Charla Kiser by email for any civil or family law case settings. Place the cause number in the subject line. Include all opposing parties and a concise request.
Page 3 | CIVIL & FAMILY CASES — Contact
Make only one follow-up request after two business days and copy 401@co.collin.tx.us rather than repeatedly emailing or leaving voicemails.
Do not send multiple emails or leave multiple voicemails requesting a response. Repeated contacts regarding the same matter slows down response time. If you do not receive a response from Ms. Kiser within 2 business days, please reply once and copy the 401 st email address – 401@co.collin.tx.us.
Page 3 | CIVIL & FAMILY CASES — Contact
Check settings and order status online before contacting the court, and do not email chambers for an order’s signature status.
Please check all settings and status of orders online prior to contacting the court. Do not email asking for status of signature on an order.
Page 3 | CIVIL & FAMILY CASES — Contact
Do not request hearing dates by email until service is established or the clerk accepts the motion, because requesting a hearing in a pleading does not notify the court of the request.
Please do not email for dates until service has been established on a new petition or until the motion has been accepted by the clerk. Merely requesting a hearing in a pleading is not sufficient to notify the Court that you would like a hearing.
Page 3 | CIVIL & FAMILY CASES — Contact