Fannin County Court at Law Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

If a label cannot be affixed directly to an object, attach it to a string tag and tie the tag to the object.

For objects where affixing a label is impossible, affix the label to a string tag and tie it on the object.

CRITICAL

The jury must not have access to firearm exhibits together with ammunition exhibits during deliberations.

The jury shall not have access to firearm exhibits together with ammunition exhibits during jury deliberations.

CRITICAL

Documents and printed photographs must be 8.5 by 11 inches unless they are originals that cannot reasonably be reproduced at that size or that size would be insufficient or unreasonable for the exhibit.

Documents and printed photographs shall be in an 8.5 × 11 format, unless the document or photograph is an original and cannot reasonably be reproduced in an 8.5 x 11 format, or an 8.5 x 11 format would not be sufficient or reasonable considering the substance of the exhibit. For example, maps, overhead views, diagrams, etc.

CRITICAL

A firearm and ammunition may be given to a witness during testimony only with prior Court approval and when the witness is an expert in firearms or ammunition.

A firearm together with ammunition shall never be given to a witness during testimony unless prior Court approval has been obtained and the witness is an expert witness with respect to firearms and/or ammunition.

CRITICAL

An audio or video file exceeding the stated size limit must be divided into labeled separate files or subparts.

If an audio or video file exceeds these stated size limits, the file shall be divided into separate files, or subparts, and labeled accordingly. For example, Audio File 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, etc.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applications must use the form promulgated by the Local Selection Committee.

Applications shall be on the form promulgated by the Local Selection Committee, which is available on the Region website at www.ixcourts.gov/lajr.aspx.

CRITICAL

Each exhibit must have an exhibit sticker and be numbered sequentially beginning with Exhibit 1.

All exhibits shall be labeled with an exhibit sticker and sequentially numbered beginning with "Exhibit 1."

CRITICAL

An audio exhibit file may not exceed 100 MB, and a video exhibit file may not exceed 5 GB.

Audio exhibits may not exceed 100 MB in any single file. Video files may not exceed 5 GB in any single file.

CRITICAL

A redacted exhibit uses its appropriate exhibit number, and its original non-redacted version uses the same number followed by R.

If an exhibit has been redacted, the redacted exhibit will be labeled with the appropriate exhibit number. The original, non-redacted exhibit shall be labeled with the exact same exhibit number plus "R" for Record. For example, Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 1R.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Format

PDF

E-filed documents must be text-searchable PDFs, converted directly to PDF 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.

CRITICAL

Labels on non-paper objects must be placed where they can easily be seen.

For objects other than paper, labels shall be placed where they can easily be seen.

CRITICAL

Firearms and other dangerous objects must be physically incapacitated so they cannot be used to inflict harm.

All firearms, as well as other dangerous objects, shall be physically incapacitated and in a condition where they cannot be used to inflict harm.

CRITICAL

Letters will only be used when an exhibit has a subpart. For example, exhibit 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, etc. If an exhibit has multiple subparts, the exhibit shall be labeled with a number-letter-number format. For example, 1-41, 1-42, etc.

Letters will only be used when an exhibit has a subpart. For example, exhibit 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, etc. If an exhibit has multiple subparts, the exhibit shall be labeled with a number-letter-number format. For example, 1-41, 1-42, etc.

CRITICAL

The listed formats are accepted for audio/video exhibits as of the Order's signing, and the sponsoring party must convert exhibits in other formats and know which formats the Court of Appeals accepts.

At the time of the signing of this Order, the following formats are accepted by the Court of Appeals for audio/video exhibits: avi, wmv, .wav, mpg, mid, .ast, mpeg, mpl, mp2, mp3, mp4, m4v, ogg, oga, ogv, webm. If an exhibit is not in one of the above-referenced formats, the sponsoring party shall be responsible for converting the exhibit to an acceptable format. It is the duty of the sponsoring party to be familiar with the tormats accepted by the Court of Appeals.

CRITICAL

Exhibit labels must be legible and use the appropriate numbering sequence.

All labels shall be legibly marked with the appropriate exhibit numbering sequence.

CRITICAL

Firearms used as exhibits must be unloaded, have the cylinder or action open and no magazine inserted, and have a locking firearm safety cord installed.

All firearms used as exhibits shall be unloaded with the cylinder or action open, no magazines inserted, and a locking, firearm safety cord installed.

CRITICAL

Attorneys and witnesses handling firearms must not point them at any person or place a finger in the trigger well.

When handling firearms, attorneys and witnesses shall not point them at any person or have any finger in the trigger well at any time.

CRITICAL

Parties may not remove admitted exhibits from the courtroom without Court approval.

Parties will not be permitted to remove admitted exhibits from the courtroom without approval from the Court.

CRITICAL

The court reporter must secure and store exhibits admitted by the Court.

Exhibits properly admitted by the Court shall be secured and stored by the court reporter.

CRITICAL

When a disc or other storage device contains multiple electronically submitted photographs, each digital image must have its own exhibit number and be treated as a subpart.

In the event photographs are submitted electronically on a disc or other storage device and includes more than one picture, each digital image shall be marked with its own exhibit number, treating each photograph as a subpart as listed in paragraph I. above.

CRITICAL

Parties are responsible for the care, custody, and control of their exhibits until the Court admits them.

Parties are responsible for the care, custody, and control of their own exhibits until that exhibit has been admitted by the Court.

CRITICAL

Audio and video exhibits must meet the size and format requirements accepted by the Court of Appeals for record submission under the cited Uniform Format Manual.

All audio and video exhibits shall be submitted in a size and format accepted by the Court of Appeals for record submission. Uniform Format Manual for Texas Reporters' Records, By Supreme Court Order dated May 25, 2010, in Misc. Docket No. 10-9077, with amendment dated June 28, 2010, in Misc. Docket No. 10-9113.

CRITICAL

An exhibit that fails to comply with the standing order may be excluded until it is properly labeled, marked, formatted, and made safe when applicable.

Any exhibit(s) offered that do not meet the requirements of this standing order are subject to exclusion until the exhibit is properly labeled, marked, in the appropriate format, and made safe, if applicable.

CRITICAL

Parties intending to offer digital evidence must ensure it can be published for the jury or Court in the courtroom before trial.

All parties who intend to offer digital evidence shall ensure that the evidence can be published for the jury or the Court in the courtroom prior to trial.

CRITICAL

If the Court of Appeals cannot open an exhibit in the Reporter's Record, the party that offered it must provide the court reporter an accessible, acceptable-format version.

In the event a case is on appeal and the Court of Appeals cannot open an exhibit that was made a part of the Reporter's Record, the sponsoring party that offered the exhibit will be responsible for providing to the court reporter the exhibit in an acceptable format where the Court of Appeals can then access it.

WARNINGCriminal cases

A paper document requiring notarization, an oath, or a sworn statement may be e-filed as a scanned image containing the necessary signatures.

If a paper document must be notarized, sworn to, or made under oath, the filer may electronically file the paper document as a scanned image containing the necessary signature(s).

WARNINGCriminal cases

An electronically served, filed, or issued document is considered signed if it uses a typed “/s/” and name, except for notarized or sworn documents, or 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.

WARNING

Labels should generally go in the lower-right corner, but should go on the back if there is no blank space or placement would interfere with the exhibit's substance; label placement on oversized documents should be consistent.

Labels should be placed on the lower, right-hand corner of the exhibit unless the label would interfere or cover a portion of the exhibit that is material to the substance of the exhibit. With oversized documents, keep consistency in mind when choosing the location for the label. If there is no blank space available on an exhibit for placement of a label, or if a label would interfere with the substance of the exhibit, place the label on the back of the exhibit.

WARNING

Every effort should be made to label exhibits before offering them into evidence.

Every effort should be made to affix exhibit labels to the exhibit prior to offering them into evidence.

WARNING

Further, only audio or video files offered as an exhibit should be included on the offered media device (disk, drive, etc.).

Further, only audio or video files offered as an exhibit should be included on the offered media device (disk, drive, etc.).

WARNINGCriminal cases

A paper document requiring an opposing party's signature may be e-filed as a scanned image containing that signature.

If a paper document requires the signature of an opposing parly, the filer may electronically file the paper document as a scanned image containing the opposing party's signature.

WARNING

Proper care should be taken when offering or using exhibits that may contain a biohazard or controlled or illegal substance.

Proper care should be taken when offering or using exhibits which may contain a biohazard or a controlled or illegal substance.

WARNING

Electronic files not intending to be offered, should not be included.

Electronic files not intending to be offered, should not be included.

INFO

Small items may be placed in an envelope labeled at its front lower-right corner.

Small items may be placed in an envelope with an exhibit label affixed to the tront, lower right-hand corner of the envelope.