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Montgomery County County Court at Law 4 301 North Main, Suite 108 Conroe, Texas 77301 Phone: 936-538-8174 Fax: 936-760-6904 |
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FAQS CONCERNING FAMILY LAW How do I get a trial setting? Trial settings are issued through a docket control order upon answer of the defendant, or upon request. How do I obtain an ex parte restraining order? Typically, the Court will grant a mutual exparte temporary restraining order. However, ex parte restraining orders that are not mutual must be obtained in person by the attorney requesting same with an affidavit supporting the request. Does the same apply for protective orders? Temporary ex parte protective orders must be obtained in person by the the attorney requesting same with an affidavit supporting the request. Of course, the applicant must be present for a kick-out order. How do I set obtain a hearing for temporary orders? When are they normally scheduled? Contact Therese Pringle, the court coordinator at 936-538-8174. You may also request a hearing on the Request for hearing link on this website. Most contested temporary hearings are heard on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Do I obtain the date first and then contact opposing counsel or does the court? Counsel requesting a hearing date has the responsibility of notifying all parties. Do you require mediation before hearing of a case? Yes, see the Court's Order Regarding Temporary Orders and Mediation AND the Docket Control Order. When does the court hear uncontested cases? The courts hears all uncontested divorces on Tuesday, 8:30 of each week. A request must be made to be placed on the docket. You may request a hearing on the Request for hearing link on this website. Do you automatically appoint a guardian ad litem or an Amicus Attorney? No. You must request one. When is docket call? Please refer to the Docket Control Order. Typically, non-jury docket calls are heard at 8:30 the Monday preceding the trial week and jury docket calls are heard at 8:30 the Tuesday preceding the trial week. Do I have to be present with my client at docket call for jury trials? Yes, unless your or your client's presence is expressly waived by the Judge. Do you hold telephone conferences and how do I arrange that? Yes, the Court will hold telephone conferences for the convenience of the out-of-town attorneys who must travel a great distance (not Houston) to be present at any hearing. You must handle all the technical matters. Please arrange with the court coordinator as to time and date. Are there time limitations for voir dire or final arguments? No. The court makes those decisions on a case-by-case basis. What about jury charges? See Standing Orders including Trial Preparation Order Please provide the court with a disc for Judge's preview and editing. What audio and visual equipment does the court have for trial purposes? The Court has mounted televisions, an Elmo, VCR, DVD player, Power Point capability upon request. FAQS ABOUT CRIMINAL CASES Does the Court handle the criminal docket? Yes. Liz Rubio is the Criminal Court Clerk for County Court at Law No. 4. Please contact her at 936-538-3533. How many pretrial settings may I have before trial? Please refer to the Criminal Docket Local Rules regarding Resets. Typically, at the arraignment hearing, each defendant with an attorney receives a 60 day reset, with one additional automatic 30-day reset. Any additional resets require express consent of the Court. How is discovery governed? The court issues a standard discovery order upon request. When are Motions heard? Motions requiring an evidentiary hearing that are dispositive are set traditionally on the 3rd Friday of the month at 1:30 p.m. Motions that do not require live testimony are heard at the pretrial settings. All other Motions are typically carried with the trial. When are Motions to Revoke heard? After the initial arraignment date, the case is reset for a pretrial hearing approximately 30 days following arraignment date. At the pretrial hearing, if there is no disposition, the case is set on the Motions docket traditionally on the 3rd Friday of the month at 1:30 p.m. When are Jury Trials heard? After the case has reached an impasse and the resets are exhausted, the case is set for trial. Jury trials are generally for a two or three-week trial period, with settings generally on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Monday of the month. Docket call for that trial period is generally the Tuesday preceding the trial period, with rollover dockets during that trial period until all cases set for that trial period are heard. Jury Trial Call begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. of the date the case is set for trial. Please refer to the reset form. Are there time limitations for voir dire and closing arguments? Yes. Voir dire should not take more than 30 minutes per side, and closing is limited to 30 minutes, unless the Court expands or reduces the traditional time limits based upon the case. What audio and visual equipment does the court have for trial purposes? The Court has mounted televisions, an Elmo, VCR, DVD player, Power Point capability upon request. |
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