Webb County District Courts Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICALCriminal cases

Every felony defendant and defense attorney must keep the District or County Clerk informed of the defendant’s correct physical and mailing address throughout the criminal proceedings as a condition of pre-trial release.

B. As a condition of pre-trial release, every felony defendant and defense attorney is responsible to keep the District or County Clerk apprised of the defendant's correct physical and mailing address at all times during the pendency of criminal proceedings.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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An attorney must call the affected judges’ attention to every conflicting setting as soon as the attorney knows of it.

A. Duty to Inform Courts. A conflicting setting exists when an attorney is already set for trial or hearing in another court or an attorney is assigned to more than one court at the same time. It is the duty of an attorney to call the affected judges' attention to all multiple settings as soon as they are known by the attorney.

CRITICAL

Attorneys with conflicting court settings must notify the court coordinator as soon as the conflict is apparent and provide the listed information.

2. Attorney to two courts for same date: A II attorneys having conflicts with other court settings who will late for call or other court or shall notify the court coord and of such contlict as soon as it apparent. shall state: a. The nature of the ict: b. Where counsel may reached; c. What announcement wishes to make: d. time that the Presiding Judge should expect counsel to personally

CRITICAL

Counsel must immediately notify the court coordinator and/or the court of the settlement; the text indicates this applies even over a weekend.

Counsel shall immediately notify court coordinator and/or court

CRITICAL

As a condition of release, defendant and defense attorney is to keep District or County Clerk apprised defendant's correct physical and at all the pendency criminal

As a condition of release, defendant and defense attorney is to keep District or County Clerk apprised defendant's correct physical and at all the pendency criminal

CRITICAL

Judges and court personnel subject to their direction may not initiate, permit, or consider ex parte or other communications outside the parties’ presence concerning the merits of a pending or impending proceeding.

The Code of Judicial Conduct provides that ...A judge shall not initiate, permit, or consider ex parte or other communications made to the judge outside the presence of the parties....concerning the merits of a pending or impending judicial proceeding. A judge shall require compliance with this subsection by court personnel subject to his or her direction and control... Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3, Section B. (8).

CRITICALCriminal cases

Every felony defendant and defense attorney must keep the District or County Clerk informed of the defendant’s correct physical and mailing address throughout the criminal proceedings.

As a condition of pre-trial release, every felony defendant and defense attorney is responsible to keep the District or County Clerk apprised of the defendant's correct physical and mailing address at all times during the pendency of criminal proceedings.

CRITICALCriminal cases

An attorney must bring all multiple settings to the affected judges’ attention as soon as the attorney learns of them.

It is the duty of an attorney to call the affected judges' attention to all multiple settings as soon as they are known by the attorney.

CRITICAL

Attorneys planning to use courtroom electronic equipment must notify the Court 24 hours in advance so the equipment can be prepared.

Attorneys intending to use the electronic equipment in the courtroom must give the Court 24 hour notice so that the equipment can be properly prepared.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorneys who have a conflicting setting and will be late must notify the court coordinator and opposing counsel as soon as the conflict becomes apparent, stating the conflict’s nature, where counsel can be reached, the requested announcement, and the expected time of personal appearance.

All attorneys having conflicts with other court settings and who will be late for docket call or other court settings or hearings/conferences, shall notify the court coordinator and opposing counsel of such conflict as soon as it becomes apparent, and shall state: (a) The nature of the conflict; (b) Where counsel may be reached; (c) What announcement counsel wishes to make; (d) The time that the Presiding Judge should expect counsel to personally appear;

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel of record must immediately notify the court coordinator or the court when the parties reach a settlement, including over a weekend.

Counsel of record shall immediately notify the court coordinator and/or the court of the fact that the parties have reached a settlement, notwithstanding that the agreement is reached over a weekend.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorneys must coordinate walk-in settings with the court coordinator and give 24-hour notice, although the court may hear an uncontested matter when requested.

Attorneys shall coordinate the settings with the court coordinator of the respective Court by giving the Court 24-hour notice to allow the court coordinator, or clerk, time to prepare a "walk-in" list; and, to verify that the case is ready for the hearing or trial. A court nonetheless retains the discretion to hear uncontested matters at the time of request.

CRITICALCivil cases

An attorney who expects to be late because of a conflicting setting must promptly notify the court coordinator and opposing counsel and provide the listed information.

All attorneys having conflicts with other court settings and who will be late for docket call or other court settings or hearings/conferences, shall notify the court coordinator and opposing counsel of such conflict as soon as it becomes apparent, and shall state: (a) The nature of the conflict; (b) Where counsel may be reached; (c) What announcement counsel wishes to make; (d) The time that the Presiding Judge should expect counsel to personally appear;

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorneys must alert the affected judges to all dual settings as soon as they learn of them.

It is the duty of an attorney to call the affected Judges' attention to all dual settings as soon as they are known.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel of record must immediately notify the court coordinator or the court when the parties reach a settlement, including a settlement reached over a weekend.

Counsel of record shall immediately notify the court coordinator and/or the court of the fact that the parties have reached a settlement, notwithstanding that the agreement is reached over a weekend.

CRITICAL

Counsel must announce readiness for trial to the Court at the Pre-Trial setting; they may announce “ready” or “ready subject to” another Court engagement.

In all cases set for trial in a particular week, counsel are required to make announcement on their readiness for trial to the Court at the Pre-Trial setting in accordance with the Pre-Trial guideline order. An announcement of "ready" or "ready subject to" another Court engagement may be made to the Court.

CRITICAL

Attorneys who will be late due to conflicting settings must promptly notify the court coordinator and opposing counsel and provide the conflict’s nature, their whereabouts, desired announcement, and expected appearance time.

All attorneys having conflicts with other court settings and who will be late for docket call or other court settings or hearings/conferences, shall notify the court coordinator and opposing counsel of such conflict as soon as it becomes apparent, and shall state: a. The nature of the conflict; b. Where counsel may be reached; c. What announcement counsel wishes to make; and d. The time that the Presiding Judge should expect counsel to personally appear.

CRITICAL

An attorney must alert the affected Judges to all dual settings as soon as the settings are known.

It is the duty of an attorney to call the affected Judges' attention to all dual settings as soon as they are known.

CRITICAL

During criminal proceedings, every felony defendant and defense attorney must keep the District or County Clerk informed of the defendant’s correct physical and mailing address.

As a condition of pre-trial release, every felony defendant and defense attorney is responsible to keep the District or County Clerk apprised of the defendant's correct physical and mailing address at all times during the pendency of criminal proceedings.

CRITICAL

Counsel of record must immediately notify the court coordinator and/or the court when the parties reach a settlement, including settlements reached over a weekend.

Counsel of record shall immediately notify the court coordinator and/or the court of the fact that the parties have reached a settlement, notwithstanding that the agreement is reached over a weekend.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

An attorney must call the affected judges’ attention to all conflicting settings as soon as the attorney knows of them.

It is the duty of an attorney to call the affected judges' attention to all multiple settings as soon as they are known by the attorney.

CRITICALCriminal cases

During criminal proceedings, felony defendants and defense attorneys must keep the District or County Clerk informed of the defendant’s correct physical and mailing address.

B. As a condition of pre-trial release, every felony defendant and defense attorney is responsible to keep the District or County Clerk apprised of the defendant's correct physical and mailing address at all times during the pendency of criminal proceedings.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Contact

Phone

An attorney must call the affected judges’ attention to all conflicting trial or hearing settings as soon as the attorney learns of them.

A. Duty to Inform Courts. A conflicting setting exists when an attorney is already set for trial or hearing in another court or an attorney is assigned to more than one court at the same time. It is the duty of an attorney to call the affected judges' attention to all multiple settings as soon as they are known by the attorney.

CRITICAL

Counsel of record must immediately notify the court coordinator and/or the court when the parties reach a settlement, including settlements reached over a weekend.

Counsel of record shall immediately notify the court coordinator and/or the court of the fact that the parties have reached a settlement, notwithstanding that the agreement is reached over a weekend.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

An attorney must call the affected judges’ attention to all conflicting settings as soon as the attorney knows of them.

It is the duty of an attorney to call the affected judges' attention to all multiple settings as soon as they are known by the attorney.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

An attorney must call the affected judges about conflicting settings as soon as they are known.

It is the of an attomey to call the affected judges' to all multiple as soon as they are known by

WARNING

Attorneys must coordinate walk-in settings with the court coordinator and give 24-hour notice to allow preparation time.

Attorneys shall coordinate settings the court coordinator of the respective Court by the 24-hour to allow the court coordinator, or clerk. time to prepare a "walk- in" and. to that case is for the hearing or trial.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

Attorneys must call the judges regarding all dual settings as soon as they become known.

a. It is the duty of an attorney to call Judges' to all dual settings as soon as they are known.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

Return the appointment application to Judge Joe Lopez at the stated address or email it to the stated address.

* Return this form to: Joe Lopez, 49th District Judge, 1110 Victoria Street, Suite 304, Webb County Justice Center, Laredo, Texas 78040 or email to: lrogerio@webbcountytx.gov

WARNING

Contact

Email

Applicants must monitor their email at least every 24 hours and accept appointment notices by email from the court office.

I have the ability to receive email, and I monitor all emails I receive at least every 24 hours. I agree to accept notice by email from the Office of the 49th District Court of my appointment to a case.

WARNING

Contact

Email

An appointee who declines the representation must promptly email the court office to request a replacement.

If for some reason I do not wish to undertake the representation to which I have been appointed, I will promptly respond by email requesting that another individual be appointed in my place.

WARNINGCivil cases

Parties who want to appear at the uncontested docket must notify the court at least one day before the setting.

Parties desiring to appear at the uncontested docket shall provide notice to the court at least one day prior to the setting.

WARNING

The uncontested docket is held on the second Friday of each month unless the court is in trial, and the Court requires 24-hour notice.

4. The 2nd Friday of every month, unless in trial, will be set aside as an uncontested docket date beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 12:00 p.m. 24 hour notice to the Court is required.

WARNING

If the judgment, decree, or order is not on file by the entry-of-judgment date, counsel will receive one courtesy call to file it by 5 p.m. that day, unless additional time is given.

20. All cases will be given an entry of judgment date within thirty days. If the judgment, decree or order is not on file, counsel will receive one courtesy call to have judgment in by 5:00 p.m. on the same day unless addition time is given.

WARNING

Attorneys intending to use courtroom electronic equipment must notify the Court 24 hours in advance so the equipment can be prepared.

21. Attorneys intending to use the electronic equipment in the courtroom must give the Court 24 hour notice so that the equipment can be properly prepared.

WARNING

Questions about procedures may be directed to the Court, but the Court cannot give legal advice or communicate ex parte about cases; when in doubt, put questions in writing and copy opponents.

If you have a question about procedures, please ask - we are here to serve. Remember, however, that we cannot give legal advice and cannot have ex parte communications about cases. When in doubt, put your question in writing and copy your opponents.

WARNINGCivil cases

Walk-in hearings are allowed when they do not conflict with specified proceedings; attorneys must coordinate with the court coordinator by giving 24-hour notice, although the court may hear an uncontested matter immediately at its discretion.

Walk-in hearings on uncontested matters will be allowed at all times that do not conflict with on-going jury or non-jury trials or with complex discovery conferences or hearings. Attorneys shall coordinate the settings with the court coordinator of the respective Court by giving the Court 24-hour notice to allow the court coordinator, or clerk, time to prepare a "walk-in" list; and, to verify that the case is ready for the hearing or trial. A court nonetheless retains the discretion to hear uncontested matters at the time of request.

WARNINGCivil cases

A hearing on a motion may be waived if all counsel of record agree and notice is given to the court.

Hearings on any motion may be waived if all counsel of record agree and notice of same is given to the court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Argument in a summary judgment matter may be waived by agreement of counsel and the court, by written notice to the court.

Argument in summary judgment matters may be waived by agreement of counsel and court by written notice to the court.

WARNINGCivil cases

The conflicting-settings rule applies only when lead counsel or the attorney in charge is affected, unless the Court extends it to other counsel.

This rule operates only where lead Counsel/Attorney in Charge, as defined by Texas Rules of Criminal Procedures 8, is affected, unless the Court expands coverage to other counsel.

WARNING

Attorneys must coordinate walk-in settings with the court coordinator and give 24-hour notice, although the court may hear an uncontested matter at the time of request.

Attorneys shall coordinate the settings with the court coordinator of the respective Court by giving the Court 24-hour notice to allow the court coordinator, or clerk, time to prepare a "walk- in" list; and, to verify that the case is ready for the hearing or trial. A court nonetheless retains the discretion to hear uncontested matters at the time of request.

WARNING

Parties who want to appear at an uncontested docket must notify the court at least one day before the setting; no scheduled setting is required for the docket.

Uncontested matters shall be handled by an uncontested docket as directed by the Court. No scheduled setting will be required for such dockets. Parties desiring to appear at the uncontested docket shall provide notice to the court at least one day prior to the setting. Refer to Rule 3.14 of the Local Civil Rules.

WARNINGCivil cases

Parties wishing to appear at the uncontested docket must notify the court at least one day before the setting.

Parties desiring to appear at the uncontested docket shall provide notice to the court at least one day prior to the setting.

WARNING

Parties who want to appear at an uncontested docket must notify the court at least one day before the setting; no scheduled setting is required for the docket.

Uncontested matters shall be handled by an uncontested docket as directed by the Court. No scheduled setting will be required for such dockets. Parties desiring to appear at the uncontested docket shall provide notice to the court at least one day prior to the setting. Refer to Rule 3.14 of the Local Civil Rules.

INFO

Contact

Email

Inquiries regarding criminal cases should be emailed to the Criminal Court Coordinator, Alma Martinez.

All inquiries regarding Criminal Cases, please email the Criminal Court Coordinator, Alma Martinez.

INFO

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Email

Inquiries regarding civil cases should be emailed to Civil Court Coordinator Joe Ann Jinez.

All inquiries regarding Civil Cases, please email Civil Court Coordinator Joe Ann Jinez.

INFO

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Email

Inquiries regarding family cases should be emailed to the Family Court Coordinator, Michael A. Martinez.

All inquiries regarding Family Cases, please email the Family Court Coordinator, Michael A. Martinez.

INFO

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Email

Inquiries regarding tax cases should be emailed to the Tax Court Coordinator, Terry Alfaro.

All inquiries regarding Tax Cases, please email the Tax Court Coordinator, Terry Alfaro.

INFO

An appointee may ask the court office in writing not to make appointments temporarily due to vacation, illness, or workload.

When, due to vacation, illness, or workload, I do not wish to be appointed for some period of time, I may request, in writing to the Office of the 49th District Court, not to be appointed temporarily.

INFO

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Email

Criminal-case inquiries should be sent by email to Criminal Court Coordinator Gloria Hernandez.

All inquiries regarding Criminal Cases, please email Criminal Court Coordinator Gloria Hernandez.

INFO

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Email

Civil-case inquiries should be sent by email to Civil Court Coordinator Stephanie Palacios.

All inquiries regarding Civil Cases, please email Civil Court Coordinator Stephanie Palacios

INFO

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Email

Inquiries about services through the Court Reporter should be sent by email to Vicente Mendoza.

All inquiries regarding services through our Court Reporter, please email Vicente Mendoza.