Fannin County District Court Document Format Requirements

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Criminal cases

An electronically served, filed, or court-issued document is signed if it contains a typed /s/ and name or an electronic or scanned signature image, subject to the notarization exception.

(a) 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.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Criminal cases

Format

PDF

An electronically filed document must be an unlocked, text-searchable PDF, directly converted rather than scanned when possible, and comply with 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.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibits

Every exhibit must have an exhibit sticker and sequential numbering beginning with Exhibit 1.

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

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit subparts

Letters are reserved for exhibit subparts, and exhibits with multiple subparts must use a number-letter-number label such as 1-A1.

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-A1, 1-A2, etc.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Redacted exhibits

A redacted exhibit uses its normal exhibit number, while its original non-redacted counterpart 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.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit labels

All exhibit labels must be legible and follow the proper numbering sequence.

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

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Documents and printed photographs

Documents and printed photographs must use 8.5-by-11 format unless an original cannot reasonably be reproduced at that size or the exhibit's substance makes that format insufficient or unreasonable.

Documents and printed photographs shall be in an 8.5 x 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.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Digital photographs

When multiple photographs are submitted electronically on a disc or other storage device, each image must receive 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.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Audio and video exhibits

Audio and video exhibits must be submitted in sizes and formats accepted by the Court of Appeals under its 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.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Audio and video exhibits

A single audio file may not exceed 100 MB and a single video file may not exceed 5 GB; oversized files must be divided into separately labeled files or subparts.

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

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Audio and video exhibits

Audio and video exhibits must use one of the listed accepted formats, and the sponsoring party is responsible for converting any other format and for knowing the accepted formats.

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, .asf, .mpeg, .mp1, .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 formats accepted by the Court of Appeals.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Exhibit labels

Labels should appear at the lower-right corner when feasible, although a consistent alternative location may be used for oversized documents and the back must be used when no suitable space is available or placement would obscure substantive material.

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.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Audio and video exhibits ?

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.

Summary: If the Court of Appeals cannot open an exhibit in the Reporter's Record, the sponsoring party must provide an accessible, acceptable-format copy to the court reporter.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Format

PDF ?

(b) 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).

Summary: A paper document requiring notarization, sworn statements, or an oath may be electronically filed as a scanned image containing the necessary signatures.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Format

PDF ?

(c) 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.

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