DeWitt County District Court, Texas Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

CRITICAL

All parties must present their exceptions, motions, and dilatory pleas, including motions in limine, at the pre-trial hearing or conference or risk waiver for untimely presentment.

At such pre-trial hearing or conference all parties shall present their exceptions, motions and dilatory pleas, including Motions in Limine for rulings by the Court. Failure to present such exceptions, motions and pleas in a timely manner shall cause them to be waived.

CRITICAL

A motion to sever cannot be granted without notice to all parties and an opportunity for them to be heard.

No severance will be granted without notice and an opportunity for hearing afforded to all parties.

CRITICAL

At any time after answers are filed or a request for trial setting has been made, upon written request of any party or upon motion of any party or the Judge, a pre-trial hearing or conference shall be set.

At any time after answers are filed or a request for trial setting has been made, upon written request of any party or upon motion of any party or the Judge, a pre-trial hearing or conference shall be set.

CRITICAL

A pre-trial conference may be requested by the court or parties; when attorneys for the parties request it, it must be held at least ten days before trial unless the court orders otherwise upon timely request, while criminal conferences are governed by Chapter 28.

A pre-trial conference may be held at the request of the Court or of the parties to the case. If the pre-trial conference is set at the request of attorneys for the parties, it shall be held no later than ten (10) days prior to the date set for trial, unless the Court, upon timely request, orders otherwise. (Pre-trial conferences for criminal cases are controlled by Chapter 28 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.)

WARNING

The court may decide preliminary matters requiring a hearing after a hearing or on written authorities, but a party is entitled to a hearing if it requests one before the court rules.

Preliminary matters which require a hearing by the court may be disposed of either by hearing before the Court or upon written authorities as counsel may forward to the Court, following which the Court may rule without hearing. Any party is entitled to a hearing so long as the same is requested prior to the time that the Court makes its ruling.

WARNING

Counsel are expected to engage in good-faith negotiations under the discovery and deposition rules.

All counsel are expected to engage in good faith negotiations pursuant to the discovery and deposition rules of the Texas Ruies of Civil Procedure.