The following information is general information and guidance for practicing civil litigation in County Court at Law No. 1. This information is in no way intended as legal advice specific to any individual, but is merely for informational purposes only.
Remote Appearance
Based on the Texas Supreme Court’s most recent Emergency Order, Local Administrative Orders and the Office of Court Administrations Best Practice for All Court Proceedings During COVID-19 Pandemic Guidelines, County Court at Law No. 1 will continue to use all reasonable efforts to conduct proceedings remotely. Thus, most hearings will be held via Zoom. Once a hearing is requested, you will receive notice via email from the Court with your Zoom link or instructions for in-person hearings. Please direct all questions you may have regarding your hearing to Court Coordinator Sarah Toler via email.
Scheduling Order
In accordance with Rules 166, 190 and 192 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court will enter a Uniform Scheduling Order in all cases filed in the Court, setting out mediation requirements, discovery deadlines, and a trial date. If the parties wish to enter an agreed scheduling order, please contact the Court Coordinator Sarah Toler via email, to schedule a hearing on your Motion to Enter a Scheduling Order.
Continuances
All requests for continuances must be by formal written motion and filed with the County Clerk’s office at least one week prior to the Pre-Trial Conference, with exception if request is due to an emergency. Unless otherwise stated, all Motions for Continuances are heard at the next available setting before Judge Christopher G. Morales and require counsel’s appearance at the hearing. Please contact Court Coordinator Sarah Toler via email, to schedule a hearing on your Motion for Continuance.
Dismissal Docket
Attorneys with cases set on the Dismissal for Want of Prosecution (DWOP) docket must appear in-person at the docket call. If you are filing a Motion to Retain, please make sure it is properly verified and filed within ten (10) days prior to the DWOP docket. The filing of a motion to retain does not excuse your appearance at the DWOP docket. The DWOP docket is held in-person before Judge Christopher G. Morales.
JP Eviction Appeals and Forcible Detainers
JP Eviction appeals and forcible detainers are heard before Associate Judge Lewis White. To schedule a hearing, please contact his Court Coordinator, Eralyn Fisher. All notices of hearing must be filed with the County Clerk’s office prior to the hearing date, and in accordance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Occupational or Restricted Licenses
Applications for Occupational or Restricted Licenses are heard before Associate Judge Lewis White on Fridays at 9:00 AM. To schedule a hearing, please contact his Court Coordinator, Eralyn Fisher. The deadline to schedule a hearing is 3:00 PM on the Wednesday preceding Friday's docket. There are no exceptions to this deadline.
Petitions for Non-Disclosure
Petitions for non-disclosure are heard before Associate Judge Lewis White. To schedule a hearing, please contact his Court Coordinator, Eralyn Fisher. All notices of hearing must be filed with the County Clerk’s office prior to the hearing date, and in accordance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Pro Se Litigants
The Court is prohibited from providing legal advice or assisting in the preparation of lawsuits. The Court will only offer general information. There is a pro se self-help manual located in the Fort Bend County Law Library that offers information to litigants that choose to represent themselves. The Law Library is located in the Fort Bend County Justice Center, 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle Richmond, Texas. For more information, please contact Mr. Andrew Bennett, Law Librarian, at (281) 341-3718. Additional help may be found at www.Texaslawhelp.org or at https://selfhelp.efiletexas.gov/srl