Harris County Courts at Law Filing Rules

When a defendant signs a personal bond, the hearing officer must order the defendant in writing to appear and direct Pretrial Services to give the defendant written notice of the court date, time, and place.

An appeal bond must be filed within forty-eight hours after notice of appeal or a report that it has not been filed must be sent to the court.

The hearing officer must immediately email the judge and court coordinator about the defendant’s release and pending appearance.

Upon receiving the report that no appeal bond was filed, the court must notify the appellant’s or defendant’s attorney.

These matters must be raised by written pretrial motion filed with the clerk of the court not later than seven (7) days before the hearing date, unless you receive permission from the judge of the court to file them on another date.”

An arrestee may not be incarcerated for inability to pay a fee or cost associated with a release condition.

Motions and applications may be considered by written submission, except applications to probate a will or appoint an administrator or guardian.

For a case reset, the attorney seeking it must prepare a reset agreement and obtain opposing counsel’s concurrence.

The District Clerk must keep the contents of misdemeanor General Order and Personal Bonds confidential, while their titles, filing dates, and page enumerations remain public.