Sabine County District Court, Texas
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
Communication
Phone
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Such questions and instructions shall be in a form ready for submission on paper measuring approximately 8 ! in.ches by 11 inches.
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
b. If the matter will not be opposed, the moving party shall send a proposed order, signed by counsel, indicating approval.
The party having the right to open and close shall prepare the standard introductory and concluding instructions.
In contempt cases, the notice of hearing given to the respondent must include or have attached the specified statement about the right to counsel and appointment of counsel for an indigent person.
Court's wording
Appointment of Counsel - In contempt cases, the following statement shall be included in or attached as a part of the notice of hearing given a respondent: IN A CONTEMPT ACTION YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY AND THE RIGHT TO THE APPOIITT:XENT OF AN ATTORNEY IF YOU ARE INDIGENT. YOU MUST BE PREPARED TO SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT AND PRESENT EVIDENCE UNDER OATH AT THE HEARING TO PROVE ANY CLAIM OF INDIGENCY BEFORE AN ATTORNEY CAN BE APPOINTED.
Temporary Alimony - The parties shall furnish the Court with an exhibit setting forth all relevant factors which may be considered in determining this issue.
Child support - The parties shall furnish sufficient information to enable the Court to accurately.identify net resources and the ability to provide child support.
Property Division - The parties shall furnish the Court with an exhibit setting for~h the property (separate/community)", with estimates of value, the amounts of debtS, the existence of liens and a proposed division.
Filing & Service rules
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Docket-call notice to a law firm constitutes notice to the attorney in charge unless otherwise requested.
d. Notice of docket calls shall be made to the law firms and unless otherwise requested, shall constitute notice to the attorney in charge.
Page 5 | 4.5 Docket Calls
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before a motion, special exception, or other dilatory plea is heard, the moving party must consult opposing counsel to determine whether the matter is opposed.
a. Before a motion, special_ exception or other dilatory plea will be heard, the moving party shall first talk with counsel to determine whether there is opposition.
Page 6 | 4.10 Hearing Motions, Exceptions and Dilatory Pleas
If opposition exists or cannot be determined after reasonable efforts, the court must be advised and a hearing will be scheduled.
c. If there will be opposition, or, if after reasonable efforts this cannot be determined, the court will ·be advised and a hearing will be scheduled.
Page 6 | 4.10 Hearing Motions, Exceptions and Dilatory Pleas
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A proposed continuance in a case subject to a Rule 165a pretrial order must be based on valid and compelling reasons.
Proposed continuances in cases subject to pretrial orders under Rule 165a, Texas Rules of Civ.il Procedure, must be based' upon valid and compelling reasons.
Page 7 | Rule 4
The referenced Rule 4.11 provisions govern continuances in criminal cases, subject to Chapter 29 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
3.6 Continuances - The provisions of Rule 4.lla and 4,llb shall apply in keeping with Chapter 29, Code of Criminal Procedure.
Page 4 | 3.6 Continuances
After docket calls, parties may agree to reset a case for another week during the term, but the reset requires court approval and the case will tail the docket.
a. After docket calls, in ~hich cases have been set for trial, parties may, by agre~ment, reset cases for another week during the term. b. All resettings will be subject to court approval. The cases, when reset, will tail the docket.
Page 5 | 4.6 Re8elling Cases
A filed motion for continuance should be brought to the court’s and opposing counsel’s attention with reasonable diligence.
c. A motion for continuance, when filed, should be brought to the attention of the Court and that of opposing counsel with reasonable diligence.
Page 6 | 4.11 Continuances
The court will respect agreements to continue a case only when they are consistent with orderly docket administration and the Supreme Court Rules of Judicial Administration.
b. Agreements to continue a case will be respected by the Courts when consistent with the orderly administration of the docket and the Supreme Court Rules of Judicial Administration.
Page 6 | 4.11 Continuances
The courts must adhere to firm trial dates and apply strict continuance policies.
a. By directive of Rule 7, Supreme Court Rules of Judicial Administration, there must be adherence to firm trial dates with strict policies on continuances.
Page 6 | 4.11 Continuances
Chambers Communication Rules
A request for a nonjury trial setting may be made by telephone or mail and must comply with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
c. The request for trial setting may be made by telephone or by mail and shall comply with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Page 6 | 4.8 Request for Settings - Nonjury Cases
Trial-setting requests may be made by mail or telephone before the docket call; personal appearances are unnecessary unless counsel’s presence is required for a pretrial matter.
e. Request for settings may be made 'by mail or by telephone prior to the docket call. Personal appearances will not be necessary unless presence of counsel is required for hearing any pretrial matter.
Page 5 | 4.5 Docket Calls