Moore County Court at Law
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Adjournments
- A continuance motion or request must detail the reason for delay, and the motion will not be considered unless the stated requirements are met.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Phone
Clerk
Fax
Phone
Document Format Requirements4 rules
In the subject line of the email, include: The Respondent's initials, The cause number, and The Exhibit number; for example "Petitioner's Exhibit 1".
Audio and video exhibits may not exceed 5GB, must use a listed extension or be converted to an acceptable format, and may contain only the offered exhibit.
Court's wording
Audio and Video files: Files may not exceed 5GB. A list of valid extensions that these files must be submitted in are: avi, .wmv,.wav, mpg, mid,.asf, .mpeg, mp1, mp2, mp3, mp4, mp4v, mpg, ogg, oga, .ogv,.webm. If an exhibit has any of those extensions, the sponsoring party is not required to convert it to a mp3 or mp4 file. If it does not have any of those extensions, the sponsoring party shall convert it to an acceptable format. Nothing other than what is offered as an Exhibit may be included on the audio or video media.
4. Format of Exhibits: Documents: PDF
- File type
- Exhibits
In all hearings, including Zoom and similar hearings, attorneys shall be dressed professionally.
Document Filing Requirements22 rules
The original of said objections must be sent to the clerk of the county the suit is filed in, with a copy of same provided to the Court.
At the same time, each attorney will provide to the Court a brief summation of his case. Said summation is to be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Judge and not filed with the Clerk.
The party requesting the setting of a case on the jury docket must certify that all discovery has been completed.
Written objections to an immediate jury setting must detail the grounds for objection, including any needed depositions and the names of the proposed deponents.
Court's wording
If opposing counsel objects to the immediate setting of the case, he must notify the Court in writing, within 14 days of receipt of said request, setting out his objections to same in detail (e.g., if additional depositions are necessary, the names of those needing to be deposed, etc.).
All requests for setting must contain an estimate of the length of time required to conduct the trial or hearing with a copy of same sent to opposing counsel and the Clerk the case is filed in.
All motions for continuance shall be made in writing and signed by the client, or shall contain a certification by counsel that a copy has been mailed to the client.
In all cases where support, either temporary or final, is an issue, financial information statements shall be filed before the temporary hearing, per Moore County Court at Law Standing Order.
Obtain the plea paperwork (Stipulation of Evidence and Order of Adjudication/Modification/Disposition) from the State.
Respondent's counsel must obtain the client's and parents'/guardians'/custodians' signatures on the plea paperwork.
Court's wording
Obtain the plea paperwork (Stipulation of Evidence and Order of Adjudication/Modification/Disposition) from the State. Obtain signatures on those documents from your client and the parents/guardians/custodians.
To Respondent's counsel: Obtain the probation terms (if applicable) from Probation.
The court clerk shall include a copy of these orders to each subpoena being issued out of this Court.
Each subpoena for a Remote Hearing must include the specified notice about Zoom appearance, confidentiality of the meeting ID, and possible contempt for failure to appear.
Court's wording
A subpoena issued to a witness to appear at a Remote Hearing shall include the following notice: 'This matter is set for hearing by remote appearance via Zoom. To appear at the hearing via Zoom, obtain a free Zoom account at https://zoom.us/download. If you intend to appear by phone, you may download a free Zoom app at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id546505307 (Apple) or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.zoom.videomeetings (Android). YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM DISCLOSING ANY ZOOM MEETING I.D. NUMBER PROVIDED TO YOU TO ANY PERSONS NOT A PARTY OR AN ATTORNEY OF A PARTY TO THIS SUIT. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AT THE ZOOM HEARING, YOU COULD BE HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR.i
If the Petitioner has not attached the order, the Clerk must ensure it is attached to the petition and every copy presented when the petition is filed.
Court's wording
At the time the petition is filed, if the Petitioner has failed to attach a copy of this order to the petition and any copy of the petition, the Clerk shall ensure that a copy of this order is attached to the petition and every copy of the petition presented.
The Petitioner shall attach a copy of this order to the original petition and to each copy of the petition.
When temporary support of a spouse or child is at issue, each party must furnish copies of their federal income tax returns for the two calendar years before the temporary hearing.
Court's wording
12. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN TEMPORARY HEARINGS. In all cases in which temporary support of a spouse and/or the child is in issue, each party shall be required to furnish: 12.2 Copies of that party’s federal income tax returns for the two calendar years prior to the temporary hearing.
When temporary support of a spouse or child is at issue, each party must furnish the listed payroll and tax forms evidencing earnings for the prior calendar year and the current year through the hearing date.
Court's wording
12. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN TEMPORARY HEARINGS. In all cases in which temporary support of a spouse and/or the child is in issue, each party shall be required to furnish: 12.3 All payroll statements, pay stubs, W2 forms, and 1099 forms which evidence that party’s earnings for the calendar year prior to the temporary hearing and from January 1 of the current year through the date of the temporary hearing.
When temporary support of a spouse or child is at issue, each party must furnish a monthly income-and-expense statement in a substantially similar or court-approved form.
Court's wording
12. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN TEMPORARY HEARINGS. In all cases in which temporary support of a spouse and/or the child is in issue, each party shall be required to furnish: 12.1 A statement of monthly income and expenses in a form substantially similar to the form found in the current Texas Family Law Practice manual published by the State Bar of Texas or in a form approved by this Court.
When presenting an ex parte application, counsel is deemed to represent that opposing counsel is absent or that the specified notice conditions have been met.
Court's wording
10. APPLICATION FOR EX PARTE ORDERS. By presenting any application for an ex parte order, counsel is deemed to represent to the Court that: a. to the best of counsel’s knowledge, the party against whom the relief is sought is not represented by counsel; or b. if the party against whom the relief is sought is represented by counsel, that (i) such counsel has been notified of the application and does not wish to be heard by the Court thereon; or (ii) counsel presenting the application has diligently attempted to notify opposing counsel, has been unable to do so, and the circumstance do not permit additional efforts to give such notice.
When property or debts are at issue, each party must file a proposed property division form covering all separate and community property and all debts and liabilities; use of a substantially similar or court-approved form is recommended.
Court's wording
13.1 In all cases in which the character, value or division of property or debts is in issue, each party shall file a proposed property division form including all of the separate and community property owned or claimed by the parties and all debts and liabilities owed by the parties. It is recommended that each party file this proposed property division form in a form substantially similar to the form found in the current Texas Family Law Practice manual published by the State Bar of Texas or in a form approved by the Court.
If the setting is contained in an Order Setting Hearing, a letter should accompany said Order setting out the length of time required for hearing.
Suggested special issues are to be provided to the Court no less than two (2) weeks before trial.
If counsel is hired to represent a criminal defendant or a juvenile, counsel should send a letter of representation as soon as possible to the Court.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Opposing counsel must give the Court detailed written objections to an immediate jury setting within 14 days after receiving the request.
If opposing counsel objects to the immediate setting of the case, he must notify the Court in writing, within 14 days of receipt of said request, setting out his objections to same in detail (e.g., if additional depositions are necessary, the names of those needing to be deposed, etc.).
Page 1 | Jury Trials
A letter confirming the hearing or an order setting the hearing must be filed within 10 days of the requested setting, or the hearing time is vacated and must be reset.
If a letter confirming hearing or order setting hearing is not filed with court within ten (10) days of the requested setting, the hearing time will be vacated and another hearing time will be required to be set.
Page 1 | Settings
In civil cases, all filed motions, exceptions, and other pretrial matters except motions in limine must be brought to the Court's attention and set for hearing at least 14 days before trial or they are waived.
All motions, exceptions and other pre-trial matters, except motions in limine, filed in the cases must be called to the attention of the Court and set for hearing at least 14 days prior to the date of trial or same will have been waived.
Page 1 | Pre-Trial Hearing
Financial information statements in support cases must be filed before the temporary hearing.
In all cases where support, either temporary or final, is an issue, financial information statements shall be filed before the temporary hearing, per Moore County Court at Law Standing Order.
Page 2 | Domestic Cases
Each criminal case set for jury trial must have its pretrial hearings at least 14 days before trial.
Each criminal case set for jury trial shall have pre-trial hearings no less than 14 days prior to trial.
Page 2 | Pre-Trial Hearing
Signed paperwork must be emailed to the court administrator or may be dropped off at the Court at least one business day before the hearing.
Email all the signed paperwork to the court administrator at least one business day before the hearing. The paperwork may also be dropped off at the Court at least one business day before the hearing.
Page 1 | For Adjudications/Modifications/Dispositions
A party must contest the order by presenting evidence at a hearing on or before fourteen days after service of the original petition to prevent it from continuing as a temporary injunction.
If, after service, no party contests this order by presenting evidence at a hearing on or before fourteen days after the date of service of the original petition, this order shall continue in full force and effect as a temporary injunction until further order of this court.
Civil cases
Page 4 | 7. SERVICE AND APPLICATION OF THIS ORDER
The order takes effect when the original petition is filed and remains in effect as a temporary restraining order for fourteen days after filing.
This order is effective upon the filing of the original petition and shall remain in full force and effect as a temporary restraining order for fourteen days after the date of the filing of the original petition.
Civil cases
Page 4 | 7. SERVICE AND APPLICATION OF THIS ORDER
If no objections are received within 14 days, the case will be set for trial.
If no objections are received within 14 days, the case will be set for trial.
Page 1 | Jury Trials
Suggested special issues are to be provided to the Court no less than two (2) weeks before trial.
Suggested special issues are to be provided to the Court no less than two (2) weeks before trial.
Page 1 | Jury Trials
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A copy of the setting request must be sent to opposing counsel and the clerk where the case is filed.
All requests for setting must contain an estimate of the length of time required to conduct the trial or hearing with a copy of same sent to opposing counsel and the Clerk the case is filed in.
Page 1 | Settings
Before the hearing, each party must provide the Court and opposing counsel with any evidence it wants the Court to review in support of its position.
Prior to the hearing, the parties will provide the Court and opposing counsel any evidence they wish for the Court to review in support of their respective positions.
Page 2 | Procedures for Motions for Deferred
A witness subpoena may be served by email or any other means calculated to provide notice, and the serving party must provide and file proof of service with the court clerk.
Service of a witness subpoena may be accomplished by email or any other means calculated to provide notice of service. Proof of service of the subpoena will be provided by the party serving the subpoena and filed with the court clerk.
Page 3 | Subpoenas for Remote Hearings
Copies of the letter of representation should be sent to the County Attorney and the Clerk by which the case is filed.
Copies of the letter of representation should be sent to the County Attorney and the Clerk by which the case is filed.
Page 2 | Miscellaneous
A bail bondsman should also serve the County Attorney with any correspondence sent to the Court.
Bail Bondsman: Any correspondence sent to the Court should also be served on the County Attorney.
Page 2 | Miscellaneous
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion or request must detail the reason for delay, and the motion will not be considered unless the stated requirements are met.
The motion or request shall state, in detail, the reason for the delay. A motion for continuance will not be considered unless the foregoing has been complied with.
Page 2 | Motions for Continuance
Chambers Communication Rules
An attorney requesting a continuance for a criminal docket must contact the Court with the request.
Any attorneys requesting continuances for criminal dockets shall contact the Court with such request.
Page 2 | Miscellaneous
Unless the exhibit was emailed previously, email it to opposing counsel, the judge, and the court reporter.
Unless you did so previously, email the Exhibit to: Opposing Counsel, The Judge (portega@moore-tx.com), and The Court Reporter (Idcorbin02@gmail.com).
Page 4 | Evidence for Remote Hearings
Counsel or a party may request a trial setting from the Court Administrator, and settings are ordered by the filing date of the request.
All cases, contested and uncontested, jury and non-jury, will be set for trial at the request of any counsel or party in the case. The cases will be set for trial in the order that such request for trial setting is filed with the Court Administrator at 715 S. Dumas Ave., Room 206, Dumas, Texas 79029; phone: (806) 935-2440; fax: (806) 935-5102; email: portega@moore-tx.com.
Page 1 | Settings
Counsel should notify the Court immediately if a hearing needs to be vacated.
Counsel should notify the Court immediately if a hearing needs to be vacated.
Page 2 | Miscellaneous
Counsel should notify the Court immediately when a case settles.
Counsel should notify the Court immediately upon settlement of any case.
Page 2 | Miscellaneous
The Court permits conference calls on pretrial matters when possible, and the calls should be arranged in advance with the Court Administrator.
The Court will allow conference calls on pre-trial matters when possible. All conference calls should be prearranged with the Court Administrator.
Page 2 | Pre-Trial Hearing
Contact the listed email address or phone number if anyone may be unable to participate in a remote hearing.
Contact portega@moore-tx.com or 806-935-2440 if you believe any counsel, his or her clients), a pro se litigant, any witness, an interpreter, or any other participant cannot participate in a court hearing remotely.
Page 1 | Remote Hearing Orders/Plan
The appropriate clerk should be contacted for the specific fee schedule; Moore County District Clerk Mayra Rivero is at (806) 935-4218, and Moore County Clerk Brenda McKanna is at (806) 935-2009.
Clerks: The appropriate Clerk should be contacted for their specific fee schedule. Moore County District Clerk Moore County Clerk Mayra Rivero Brenda McKanna 715 S. Dumas Ave., Room 109 715 S. Dumas Ave., Room 107 Dumas, Texas 79029 Dumas, Texas 79029 Phone: (806) 935-4218 Phone: (806) 935-2009
Page 3 | Clerks