Fort Bend County, TX Filing Timing and Cure Windows
78 rules from official source documents
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.
Cutoffs and deemed-filed rules
CRITICALCriminal cases
The District Clerk's Office must forward the motion and proposed order to the appropriate judge or designee queue immediately upon receipt.
The role of the District Clerk's Office is to forward the "Motion for Review of Bail Decision" and proposed Order to the appropriate District Court Judge or Designee queue immediately upon receipt.
CRITICAL
An approved electronic reset must be emailed to the Court before the defendant’s court setting to avoid bond forfeiture.
If the Court approves an electronic reset, the reset MUST be emailed to the Court prior to the defendant’s court setting to avoid bond forfeiture.
CRITICAL
Plea paperwork must be turned in by 11:00 AM or the plea will be reset to the Court’s next available docket, with no exceptions.
All plea paperwork MUST be turned in by 11:00 AM. If the plea paperwork is not turned in by the above deadline, the plea will be reset to the Court’s next available docket. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
CRITICAL
A summary judgment motion must be set for hearing or submission 35 to 60 days after filing, or within 90 days if good cause is shown and the docket requires it or the movant agrees.
All motions for summary judgment must be set for hearing or submission between 35 days and 60 days of the filing of the motion (or within 90 days on a showing of good cause if the court’s docket so requires or the movant agrees).
CRITICAL
Cases with untimely reset submissions may be subject to bond forfeiture.
All cases not timely submitted will be subject to bond forfeiture.
CRITICAL
Reset submissions are due by 9:00 a.m. on the day of docket call and may not be submitted more than 3 days before docket call.
All resets must be submitted by 9:00 a.m. the day of, but no more than 3 days prior to, docket call.
CRITICAL
Required documents must be filed with the District Clerk by 4:45 p.m. on the Wednesday before the scheduled hearing.
The following documents must be filed with the District Clerk on or before 4:45 p.m. the Wednesday of the week before your scheduled hearing.
CRITICAL
Vacation letters must be filed with the District Clerk of Fort Bend County in accordance with the local rules.
Vacation letters shall be filed with the District Clerk of Fort Bend County, Texas, per the local rules.
CRITICAL
THE ABOVE MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT DURING THE TRIAL.
THE ABOVE MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT DURING THE TRIAL.
CRITICAL
The listed Temporary Orders materials must be submitted to the Court during the hearing.
THE ABOVE MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT DURING THE HEARING.
CRITICAL
An objection to a Proposed Order must be filed by noon on the day before the entry date.
c. An objection to the Proposed Order must be filed by 12:00 p.m. on the day before the entry date.
CRITICAL
For entries by submission, an objection to a proposed order must be filed by noon on the day before entry.
On entries by submission, an objection to the Proposed Order must be filed by 12:00 p.m. on the day before the entry date.
WARNING
Replies filed after noon Friday for a Monday oral hearing are unlikely to be considered.
Any replies that are filed after Friday at NOON for a Monday oral hearing are NOT LIKELY to be considered by the Court.
WARNING
Exhibit delivery on Fridays is by appointment only.
Please note that delivery on Fridays is by appointment only.
INFO
The Court encourages parties to file responses, replies, and objections as early as possible.
The Court encourages all parties to file responses, replies and objections as early as possible so that the Court can review them and promptly rule.
Filing deadlines
CRITICALCriminal cases
The arresting officer must file a concise probable cause affidavit at booking, and no arrestee may be booked without one.
At the time of the magistrate and probable cause hearings, the arresting officer for each arrestee shall have filed, at the time of booking into the jail, a printed (by computer or email) and concise probable cause affidavit with such additional information (offense report, etc.) as necessary for the magistrate judge to make the appropriate judgment. “Arrestee” is defined herein as a person who is arrested with or without an indictment or information having been filed and may sometimes be referred to herein as “Defendant.” No one shall be booked into jail without a filed “Probable Cause Affidavit.”
CRITICALCriminal cases
The arresting agency must fax or deliver arrest-warrant affidavits to the jail upon arrest.
Affidavits for a warrant for arrest must be faxed or delivered to the jail upon arrest from the arresting agency.
CRITICALCriminal cases
The trial judge must rule on a motion for new trial within 75 days of sentencing.
The trial judge must rule on it within 75 days of sentencing.
CRITICALCriminal cases
A motion for new trial is considered overruled if the judge has not ruled within 75 days.
If the judge doesn’t make a ruling, the law considers it overruled after 75 days have passed.
CRITICALCriminal cases
The certificate of contact must be filed no later than 72 hours after appointment.
A certificate of contact must be e-filed with the clerk’s office in the corresponding appointed case file, no later than seventy-two (72) hours after the appointment.
CRITICALCriminal cases
A motion for new trial must be filed within 30 days after sentencing.
The MFNT trial must be filed within 30 days of the date of sentencing.
CRITICALCriminal cases
The trial judge must rule on a motion for new trial within 75 days of sentencing; otherwise, it is considered overruled after 75 days.
The trial judge must rule on it within 75 days of sentencing. If the judge doesn’t make a ruling, the law considers it overruled after 75 days have passed.
CRITICALCriminal cases
The defendant must file a notice of appeal within 90 days of sentencing.
The defendant must then file notice of appeal within 90 days of sentencing.
CRITICALCriminal cases
The completed bail form must be submitted no later than 48 hours after bail is set.
After setting bail, the Judicial Officer (Magistrate), or the Judicial Officer (Magistrate's) designee, shall complete the bail form described by Section 72.038 Government Code, and promptly, but not later than 48 hours after the time bail is set, submit the bail form electronically to the Office of Court Administration through the Public Safety Report System.
CRITICAL
The attendance certificates must be filed by the date the case is set for final hearing.
The certificates shall be filed no later than the date the case is set for final hearing.
CRITICAL
A person appointed by a judge who may receive a fee must file the designated attorney voucher within 60 days after a plea, dismissal, or other disposition.
Each person appointed by a judge for which any type of fee may be paid shall file the designated attorney voucher within 60 days of any plea, dismissal or other disposition of the case.
CRITICAL
Responses must be filed at least three days before the submission date unless the court grants leave.
Responses shall be filed at least three days before the date of submission, except on leave of court.
CRITICAL
Motions for written submission must state a Monday at 8:00 a.m. at least 10 days after filing, unless the presiding judge instructs otherwise or the court grants leave.
Motions shall state a Monday date at 8:00 a.m. as the date for written submission, unless otherwise instructed by the presiding Judge. This date shall be at least 10 days from filing, except on leave of court.
CRITICALCivil cases
The court recorder must file the statement of facts with the court of appeals within fifteen days after perfection of an appeal or writ of error.
The court recorder shall file the statement of facts with the court of appeals within fifteen days of the perfection of an appeal or writ of error.
CRITICALCriminal cases
- Deadline
- 1 business days
A district judge must review the bail decision as soon as practicable and no later than the next business day after the motion and proposed order are filed.
A district judge must review a bail decision as soon as practicable but not later than the next business day after the date a "Motion for Review of Bail Decision" and proposed Order has been filed with the District Clerk's Office.
CRITICAL
A person appointed by a judge who may receive a fee must file the designated attorney voucher within 60 days after a plea, dismissal, or other case disposition.
7.1 Each person appointed by a judge for which any type of fee may be paid shall file the designated attorney voucher within 60 days of any plea, dismissal or other disposition of the case.
CRITICAL
The written-submission date must be at least 10 days after filing unless the court grants leave.
This date shall be at least 10 days from filing, except on leave of court.
CRITICAL
Responses must be filed at least three days before submission unless the court grants leave.
Responses shall be filed at least three days before the date of submission, except on leave of court.
CRITICALCivil cases
The parties must file the specified pretrial materials with the Court by 5:00 PM on the Wednesday before the initial trial setting.
By 5:00 PM on the Wednesday before the Initial Trial Setting, the parties shall file with the Court the materials stated in Rule 166(e)-(l), an estimate of the length of trial, designation of deposition testimony to be offered in direct examination, and any motions in limine.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Deadline
- 72 hours
For anticipated interpretation in one of the listed languages, the ISR Form must be submitted at least 72 hours before the proceeding.
If an interpreter is required for the Initial Trial Setting or any other court proceeding, the parties shall submit an Interpreting Services Request Form (ISR Form) to the Court by email at least 72 hours before the Initial Trial Setting or court proceeding at which the parties reasonably anticipate the need for language interpretation in one of the following nine languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Hindi, Tagalog, or Arabic.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 24 hours
Exhibits for an evidentiary hearing must be e-filed at least 24 hours before the hearing.
Exhibits for an evidentiary hearing must be e-filed at least 24 hours before the hearing date. An exhibit list and witness list must also be e-filed.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 24 hours
Exhibits for a virtual hearing must be filed at least 24 hours before the hearing.
Exhibits must be filed at least 24 hours before the virtual hearing.
CRITICAL
The Notice of Hearing must be filed at least 21 days before the hearing and served on the non-movant.
The Notice of Hearing shall be filed at least 21 days before the hearing date and served on the non-movant.
CRITICAL
If a request for a hearing by submission is approved, the Court provides available dates and requires 10 days’ notice.
If approved, the Court will provide available submission dates and will require 10 days’ notice.
CRITICAL
A Motion to Retain must be filed no later than one week before the DWOP Docket.
The Motion to Retain must be e-filed with the District Clerk no later than one week prior to the date of the DWOP Docket.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 48 hours
Paperwork must be e-filed 48 hours in advance, and the Court Coordinator and prosecutors must be notified.
Paperwork must bee-filed 48 hours in advance and notice given to the Court Coordinator and Prosecutors.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 1 business days
Except in contempt proceedings and cases under a Scheduling Order, exhibits must be pre-marked and exchanged by noon on the business day before the hearing; same-day exchange is limited to rebuttal or unanticipated exhibits.
In all cases, other than contempt proceedings and cases under a Scheduling Order, exhibits must be pre-marked and exchanged by 12:00 PM the business day before the hearing. The exchange of exhibits on the day of hearing or trial will not be permitted unless they are rebuttal exhibits or exhibits that could not have been anticipated.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 1 business days
USB flash drives must be received by noon on the business day before the hearing.
Flash Drives must be received by 12:00 PM the business day before the hearing.
CRITICAL
Final divorce hearings may be scheduled only 61 days after the petition is filed.
FINAL DIVORCE HEARINGS CAN ONLY BE SCHEDULED 61 DAYS AFTER THE FILING OF THE PETITION.
CRITICAL
Final divorce hearings may be scheduled only 61 days after the petition is filed.
Final divorce hearings can only be scheduled 61 days after the filing of the petition.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 1 business days
Unless the matter is a contempt proceeding or governed by a Scheduling Order, exhibits must be pre-marked and exchanged by noon on the business day before the hearing.
In all cases, other than contempt proceedings and cases under a Scheduling Order, exhibits must be pre-marked and exchanged by 12:00 PM the business day before the hearing.
CRITICAL
Exhibit emails must arrive before the hearing starts.
Exhibit emails must be received prior to the start of the hearing.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 1 business days
USB Flash Drives must arrive by noon on the business day before the hearing.
Flash Drives must be received by 12:00 PM the business day before the hearing.
CRITICAL
Required documentation for pro se matters must be completed, signed, and filed with the District Clerk before the court date to be considered for docket scheduling.
All documentation required for uncontested, contested matters, or final trials must be completed, signed and filed with the District Clerk before the court date to be considered for scheduling on the docket.
CRITICAL
A divorce cannot be finalized until after the required 60-day waiting period, which begins the day after filing.
There is a 60-day required Waiting Period for Divorce Cases that begins the day after your filing date. You cannot finalize your divorce until after the Waiting Period.
CRITICAL
A Return of Service must be on file at least 10 days before a default hearing.
Return of Service – On file at least 10 days before hearing
CRITICAL
A final divorce hearing cannot be scheduled until 61 days after the petition is filed.
Waiting Period for Divorce Cases – Final Divorce Hearings cannot be scheduled until 61 days after the filing of the Petition.
CRITICAL
Responses to a motion heard by submission must be filed at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule, to be considered.
any response to the motion must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or longer if required by statute or rule. ... Responses must be filed at least 3 days before the submission date to be considered.
CRITICAL
A proposed order must be filed by the entry date; failure to do so may result in dismissal of the case.
Failure to file a Proposed Order by the entry date may result in the case being dismissed.
CRITICAL
Parenting-class completion certificates must be filed with the District Clerk’s office before the case is finalized.
The certificates of completion must be filed with the District Clerk’s office before the case is finalized.
CRITICAL
The proposed final order and all required documentation in adoption cases must be filed before the pretrial conference.
a. Adoptions may be heard in person or via Zoom. A pre-trial conference is required in all adoption cases. The proposed final order and all required documentation must be filed before the pre-trial conference. Failure to file the required documents prior to the pre-trial conference will result in the pretrial conference being reset.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 1 business days
Exhibit and witness lists must be exchanged and filed with the clerk by noon on the business day before any hearing or trial.
Exhibit List and Witness List SHALL be exchanged and filed with the clerk by 12 noon on the business day before any hearing or trial.
CRITICAL
A pretrial conference is mandatory for every jury trial and must be completed at least seven days before trial starts.
e. Pretrial conferences are mandatory for all jury trials and shall be completed no less than seven (7) days prior to the trial start date.
CRITICAL
A pretrial conference is mandatory for every adoption and must be completed at least seven days before trial starts.
f. Pretrial conferences are mandatory for all adoptions and shall be completed no less than seven (7) days prior to the trial start date.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 72 hours
Counsel and self-represented litigants must sign up with the Court coordinator and file all orders and closing documents at least 72 hours before the Evening Zoom Docket.
Counsel and self-represented litigants must sign up for this docket no later than 72 hours before the Evening Zoom Docket with the Court coordinator, and all orders and closing documents must be filed 72 hours before the Evening Zoom Docket.
CRITICAL
Responses must be filed at least three days before submission, or earlier if required by statute or rule.
Responses must be filed and served at least three (3) days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.
CRITICAL
The deadline for 2025 Court Appointment applications is January 31, 2025.
*The Deadline for Applications for 2025 is January 31, 2025
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 72 hours
Self-represented litigants must sign up no later than 72 hours before the docket.
Self-represented litigants must sign up for this docket no later than 72 hours before the docket by emailing the court coordinator at 501courtcoordinator@fortbendcountytx.gov.
CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 72 hours
All orders and closing documents must be filed 72 hours before the Thursday docket.
All orders and closing documents must be filed 72 hours before the docket.
CRITICAL
Responses must be filed at least three days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.
Responses must be filed and served at least three (3) days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.
CRITICAL
Annual applications for Court Appointments are due January 31 each year.
*The Deadline for Annual Applications is January 31 of each year
WARNING
The parties should submit an agreed docket control order for the Court’s consideration within 30 days after an Answer is filed.
The parties should submit an Agreed Docket Control Order to be considered by the Court within 30 days after the filing of an Answer.
WARNING
If the Agreed Docket Control Order is not filed on time, the Court will issue a Uniform Scheduling Order setting trial 6–9 months after its entry.
If an Agreed Docket Control Order is not filed within the required time frame, the Court will issue a Uniform Scheduling Order with a trial date 6-9 months from the date the Uniform Scheduling Order is entered.
WARNING
Objections to summary judgment evidence filed on the hearing morning will not be considered.
Objections to summary judgment evidence filed on the morning of the hearing will not be considered.
WARNING
If a summary judgment hearing is not set within the prescribed time, the Court will rule on the motion by submission.
If the hearing is not set within the prescribed time frame, the Court will rule on it by submission.
WARNING
Daubert motions should be filed and set for hearing well before trial; motions filed after the docket-control-order deadline will not be considered without a motion for leave showing exceptionally good cause.
All Daubert Motions (motions to exclude expert witness testimony) should be filed AND set for hearing WELL IN ADVANCE OF TRIAL (i.e. not on the eve of trial). The Court will NOT consider such motions filed after the deadline in the docket control order without a motion for leave demonstrating exceptionally good cause.
WARNING
Replies filed after noon Friday for a Monday oral hearing are not likely to be considered.
Any replies that are filed after Friday at NOON for a Monday oral hearing are NOT LIKELY to be considered by the Court.
WARNING
A hearing on challenges to an expert’s qualifications, methodologies or opinions should be scheduled well in advance of a trial setting. Unless indicated otherwise in a DCO, the deadline to schedule a hearing on any Daubert/Robinson motions or other challenges to expert witness qualifications is 30 days before trial, absent otherwise obtaining leave of Court to consider such motions less than 30 days before trial.
A hearing on challenges to an expert’s qualifications, methodologies or opinions should be scheduled well in advance of a trial setting. Unless indicated otherwise in a DCO, the deadline to schedule a hearing on any Daubert/Robinson motions or other challenges to expert witness qualifications is 30 days before trial, absent otherwise obtaining leave of Court to consider such motions less than 30 days before trial.
WARNING
For a jury panel larger than 40, counsel should notify the Court coordinator of the reasons as early as possible and no later than four weeks before trial.
If you need a panel of more than 40 jurors, please let the Court coordinator know of the circumstances warranting a larger jury venire panel as early in the proceedings as possible, but in any case at least 4 weeks before trial.
WARNING
- Deadline
- 24 hours
Absent good cause, filings made within 24 hours of a hearing may generally not be considered; good cause for the late filing may be presented to the Court.
Absent good cause, any filings made within 24 hours of the hearing may generally not be considered by the Court unless good cause for such late filing is presented to the Court.
WARNING
Everything on the Adoption Pretrial List should be completed and on file at least three days before the pretrial conference.
Everything in the Adoption Pretrial List should be completed and on file at least three (3) days before the Pretrial Conference.
WARNING
Failure to file all required documents at the time of entry may result in dismissal.
Failure to file all required documents at the time of entry may result in the case being dismissed.
INFO
Please be mindful of the deadline when delivering by mail.
Please be mindful of the deadline when delivering by mail.
What filing deadlines does Fort Bend County, TX set?
Fort Bend County, TX: The arresting officer must file a concise probable cause affidavit at booking, and no arrestee may be booked without one.
Judge Derek Uchechukwu Obialo: The parties must file the specified pretrial materials with the Court by 5:00 PM on the Wednesday before the initial trial setting.
Judge Monica Darlene Rawlins: Exhibit and witness lists must be exchanged and filed with the clerk by noon on the business day before any hearing or trial.
60 more rules answer this question.
When is a filing treated as filed in Fort Bend County, TX?
Fort Bend County, TX: The District Clerk's Office must forward the motion and proposed order to the appropriate judge or designee queue immediately upon receipt.
Judge Monica Darlene Rawlins: The rule states a 12:00 p.m. filing cutoff. An objection to a Proposed Order must be filed by noon on the day before the entry date.
Judge J. Christian Becerra: The rule states a 9:00 a.m. filing cutoff. Reset submissions are due by 9:00 a.m. on the day of docket call and may not be submitted more than 3 days before docket call.
9 more rules answer this question.
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Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
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