Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 127 rules apply across Ector County District Courts. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

E-Filing

All 35
  • Applies to
    Writ of wage withholding to employer request

    The writ request must be e-filed as a separate lead document.

  • Applies to
    Writ of wage withholding to employer request

    The e-filing must use the filing code “Request” and the specified description.

  • Official court filings cannot be submitted by fax or email.

Filing Requirements

All 23
  • Applies to
    Writ of wage withholding to employer request

    A signature is required on the form.

  • Applies to
    Record of support order

    A Record of Support Order must be submitted with every child support order.

  • Form VS-165 is required in all family law matters.

Fees

All 18
  • Applies to
    Service issuance

    E-issuance by the district clerk carries no copy fees.

  • Applies to
    Service issuance

    Mailing the document to the attorney requires postage.

  • Applies to
    Service issuance

    Service by the Ector County Sheriff requires fees.

Formatting

All 18
  • Format
    PDF

    The Record of Support Order must be completed as a flattened PDF and submitted to the clerk through eFile Texas.

  • Format
    PAPER

    A paper copy of Form VS-165 must be printed double-sided on one sheet rather than two sheets.

  • Format
    PDF

    An e-filed document must be a text-searchable PDF using specified PDF fonts, sized 8.5x11, with appropriately rotated content.

About Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher

**Current assignment** **Division or department:** 244th District Court **Phone:** 432-498-4240 **Fax:** 432-498-4173 **Address:** 300 N Grant, Room 316, Odessa, TX 79761 **Court administrator or coordinator:** Chaka Quiller, Court Coordinator **Court reporter:** Jordana Hodges, official Court Reporter **Official sources** - [District Court Judges directory](https://www.ectorcountytx.gov/250/District-Court-Judges) - [244th District Court page and its published documents](https://www.ectorcountytx.gov/252/244th-District-Court)

Common questions about Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher's rules

Does Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Both parties must confer before contacting the court about a civil continuance.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Requesting a Continuance or Re-Setting a Hearing — For Civil Matters

What must be included with interpreter notice filings before Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. An attorney who anticipates needing an interpreter at the pretrial hearing or trial must notify the Court in writing by the deadline for filing the Defendant's pretrial motions.

View ruleSource: page 1, section INTERPRETERS

What must be included with hearing request filings before Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher?

The rule requires proposed order. A civil hearing request must be electronically filed with a proposed blank order and an estimate of the time needed for the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Requesting a Hearing for Civil Matters

How may parties contact Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications. Request possible hearing dates by emailing the Court Coordinator with all parties copied.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Requesting a Hearing for Civil Matters

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. A civil hearing will not be continued unless a timely, properly filed motion for continuance complies with the cited procedural rules.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Requesting a Continuance or Re-Setting a Hearing — For Civil Matters

Is electronic filing required before Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. A motion or request for a civil hearing must be filed electronically.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Requesting a Hearing for Civil Matters

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. All pretrial motions must be filed and brought to the Court's attention by the Motion Deadline date on the trial docket.

View ruleSource: page 1, section DEADLINE FOR DEFENDANT’S PRETRIAL MOTIONS
Complete rules summary for Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher

All pretrial motions must be filed and brought to the Court's attention by the Motion Deadline date on the trial docket.

An attorney who anticipates needing an interpreter at the pretrial hearing or trial must notify the Court in writing by the deadline for filing the Defendant's pretrial motions.

A civil hearing request must be electronically filed with a proposed blank order and an estimate of the time needed for the hearing.

A motion or request for a civil hearing must be filed electronically.

Request possible hearing dates by emailing the Court Coordinator with all parties copied.

The Court Coordinator will provide exactly three available hearing dates and times in the reply-all email.

If the parties cannot agree on one of the three offered dates, they must electronically file a proposed order with the hearing date and time left blank for the court.

A civil hearing will not be continued unless a timely, properly filed motion for continuance complies with the cited procedural rules.

Both parties must confer before contacting the court about a civil continuance.

When the parties agree to a civil continuance, they must file the agreed motion and submit an agreed order for the judge's approval.

The proposed Order must state what the continuance is for and include a space for the new hearing date and time.

A criminal hearing will not be continued without a timely, properly filed motion for continuance complying with Chapter 29 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

A proposed criminal continuance order must identify the type of hearing for which the continuance is requested.

A proposed criminal continuance order must provide space for the court to enter the new hearing date and time.

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