Starr County District Court, Texas Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Judicial proceedings may commence at the Annex on the date the County Judge certifies in writing, after the specified consultations, that the facility is ready for occupancy and the requirements of Sections 5, 6, and 7 are satisfied.

Notwithstanding the effective date of the designation, judicial proceedings shall commence at the Zarsky Judicial Annex on the date certified in writing by the County Judge,following consultation with the Local Administrative District Judge and each affected judge, as the date on which the facility is ready for judicial occupancy. Such certification shall confirm that the requirements of Sections 5,6, and 7 of this Resolution have been satisfied.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial order

The Court Pre-Trial Order must reflect actions taken at any pre-trial conference.

The Court Pre-Trial Order shall reflect action taken at any pre-trial conference which order shall control the proceedings until the matter is finally disposed of or modified by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte application

An application for ex parte relief must disclose whether, to the applicant’s knowledge, the opposing party is represented by counsel and bring that information to the Court’s attention.

All applications for ex parte relief shall state, and it shall be brought to the attention of the Court, whether, within the knowledge of the applicant, the opposing party is represented by counsel

CRITICAL

Applies to

Special or preferential trial setting order

An order granting a special or preferential trial setting must state specific reasons for the setting.

In the Order giving a case a special or preferential trial setting, the Court shall state specific reasons for such setting.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury service documents

During the Relocation Period, every listed jury-service document must identify the Zarsky Judicial Annex by its full name and street address and include directions and parking information.

The District Clerk and the County Clerk are directed to coordinate with the respective Coiuts so that every jury summons, notice of setting,juror qualification notice, and juror instruction issued during the Relocation Period clearly identifies the Zarsky Judicial Annex by that full name and by street address as the location for jury service, together with directions and parking information.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Cover sheet

Must include

page count

Electronic transmissions must include a cover sheet identifying the sender, case, document nature, total pages including the cover sheet, and any special filing, service, or disposition instructions.

A cover sheet shall accompany such transmissions, identifying the sender, the case in which the pleadings or documents are to be filed, the nature of the pleadings or documents, the number of pages being transmitted including the cover sheet, and any special filing, service or dispositional instructions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for continuance or notice of conflicting jury trial settings

A motion for continuance or notice of conflicting jury trial settings must state which case has priority under the rules.

Counsel shall state, whether in a motion for continuance or a notice of conflicting jury trial settings, which case has priority under these Rules.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written statement to affected courts

Counsel must provide each affected court a written statement of readiness for every case set for trial on the same date and explain any lack of readiness.

Counsel must state in writing to each of the affected Courts whether he or she is ready for trial in all cases set for trial on the same date, and. if not ready in one or more of said cases, why he or she is not ready for trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Attorney fee voucher

A fee voucher must cover all services for one client and itemize the time, date, and service rendered.

The voucher shall include all services provided to a single client regardless of the number of cases disposed. The voucher shall contain a detailed, itemized statement as to time expended, date and service rendered.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury summons juror qualification notice notice of setting juror instruction

During the Relocation Period, jury summonses, juror qualification notices, notices of setting, and juror instructions must identify the Annex by its full name and address, include directions and parking information in English and Spanish, and not refer to it as “Annex” without qualification.

The Starr County District Clerk shall ensure that every jury summons, juror qualification notice, notice of setting, and juror instruction issued during the Relocation Period identifies the Zarsky Judicial Annex by its full name and street address, together with directions and parking information, in both English and Spanish, and shall not use the word "Annex" without qualification.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Commencement date certification

Upon receiving the written certification, the District Clerk must file a copy in the Court’s records and note the Commencement Date on the Order.

Upon receipt of that certification, the Starr County District Clerk shall file a copy in the records of this Court and shall note the Commencement Date upon this Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Location notice

The location notice must be provided in both English and Spanish.

Notice shall be given in both English and Spanish.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court record protocols

During the Relocation Period, the District Clerk and County Clerk must establish written protocols, as needed, for handling and securing court records consistent with applicable law, retention schedules, and rules.

The District Clerk and the County Clerk are each directed to establish written protocols for the filing, transport, maintenance, custody, and security of all court records, as the need arises, during the Relocation Period, consistent with Chapter 203 of the Texas Local Govemment Code,applicable records retention schedules, and applicable rules goveming electronic filing and the confidentiality of court records.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Public notice citation notice of setting jury summons

The District Clerk must conspicuously post notice of the temporary location change at every public entrance to both facilities and include the location notice with citations, notices of setting, and jury summonses issued during the Relocation Period.

The Starr County District Clerk is directed to post notice of the temporary change of location conspicuously at each public entrance to the Starr County Courthouse and at each public entrance to the Zarsky Judicial Annex, and to include notice of the location with all citations, notices of setting, and jury summonses issued during the Relocation Period.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Orders notices citations jury summons docket entries signs public communications

All county officers, courts, and clerks must use the facility’s full name and street address in covered documents and communications and must not call it “the Annex” without qualification.

All county officers, courts,and clerks shall use the full name "Zarsky Judicial Annex,"together with its street address, in every order, notice, citation,jury summons, docket entry, sign, and public communication concerning the facility, and shall not refer to it as "the Annex" without qualification.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court records notices citations and jury summonses

Court records, notices, citations, and jury summonses must identify the facility by its full name and street address.

The Zarsky Judicial Annex is a facility distinct from the Starr County Annex Building, and is to be identified in court records, notices, citations, and jury summonses by its full name and street address.

WARNING

Applies to

Facsimile transmitted court order

The Court will include a cover page with any court order transmitted by facsimile.

The Court will include a cover page with any facsimile transmitted Orders.