Hemphill County District Court, Texas Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

The State must appear at every docket call and announce whether it is ready or not ready.

The State must appear at all docket calls to announce "ready" or "not ready."

CRITICAL

The District Attorney must advise the Judge of the results of plea-bargain negotiations before trial.

The District Attorney shall advise the Judge, in advance of trial, of the results of any plea bargain negotiations in a pending criminal case.

CRITICAL

After the defendant’s appearance date passes, the movant must request a default-judgment setting by telephone, in person, or by mail; the Court Administrator sets the hearing date and time.

All requests for settings for default judgments shall be made by telephone, in person, or by mail from the movant after the appearance date of the defendant has passed. A hearing date and time shall be set by the Court Administrator.

WARNING

Lawyers may approach the Bench only with permission or at the Court’s request.

They shall not approach the Bench except with permission or upon request of the Court.

WARNING

Counsel must address remarks to the Court, not to the Judge as an individual.

All remarks of Counsel to the Court shall be addressed to the Court and not to the Judge as an individual.

WARNING

All other settings will be made by the District Judge, with the notification to be made by the Attorney requesting setting.

All other settings will be made by the District Judge, with the notification to be made by the Attorney requesting setting.

WARNING

Counsel are admonished to follow ethical rules concerning discussion of cases with the press and discussion of case facts or law with the Court outside the courtroom without opposing counsel present.

All counsel are admonished to respect the letter and spirit of all canons of ethics including particularly those dealing with discussion of cases with representatives of the press or radio and discussion of the facts or law of the case with the Court outside of the Courtroom and not in the presence of opposing counsel.

INFO

A request for a non-jury trial setting may be made by telephone or mail.

c. The request for a non-jury trial setting may be made by telephone or by mail.