County Court At Law 3 | Important Notices
COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 3
(Effective April 1, 2021)
In compliance with the local, state, and federal response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and in consideration of protecting the health of our community, County Court at Law No. 3 will operate under the following procedures.
A limited number of participants will be permitted in the courtroom. Any court participants will be screened in accordance with CDC Guidelines. If you are feeling sick, do not come to the courthouse. Instead, contact the Court Coordinator to receive further instructions. Remote participation is encouraged. CRIMINAL: Resets are Required for all Misdemeanor Cases.
Defendant’s with Attorney
- The Court Coordinator will send out a group e-mail to all Attorneys with a blank reset form. If you are newly hired, please file a Letter of Representation with the clerk’s office so that you are connected to the case.
- The signed Electronic Reset MUST be returned to the Court no later than the day before the Defendant’s scheduled court date.
- The Court will allow Defendant’s Attorney to sign the Reset on the Defendant’s behalf, but only with the Defendant’s permission.
- It is the Defendant’s responsibility to stay in contact with your bondsman and your attorney.
- Defense attorneys, it is also your responsibility to stay in contact with your client.
- If the Court does not receive the Electronic Reset by the above deadline, the Defendant must appear in person to sign a Physical Reset. If the Court does not receive an Electronic Reset or Physical Reset, a bond forfeiture/failure to appear warrant will be issued.
DEFENDANTS WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY
- Defendants are required to appear in person on their scheduled court date
CRIMINAL STATUS CASES
Status cases are held via zoom or in person. Both attorney and defendant are required to appear.
If the plea paperwork is not turned in on time, the case will be Reset to the next available plea setting.
If your plea is scheduled via Zoom, you will receive an email from the Court with the Zoom link to access the hearing. Attorneys have the option to appear via Zoom or in person for pleas.
Defendants are required to appear in person no later 2pm on the day of the plea to be fingerprinted.
CRIMINAL PLEAS
Plea paperwork must be completed electronically and submitted to the Court no later than 48 hours before the scheduled court date.
COURT COSTS RESETS
The Defendant is responsible for paying their balance in full by the date provided on their Court Costs Reset.
If the Defendant is unable to pay their balance in full, he/she is required to appear in person on their scheduled court date. If the Defendant does not contact the Court and does not appear in Court on their scheduled court date, a Failure to Appear Warrant will be issued.
JUVENILE CASES
Juvenile Status and Adjudication/Disposition Dockets are scheduled by County Court 3’s Juvenile Probation Officer, Jina Carmona. Please contact her at Jina.Carmona@fortbendcountytx.gov
CIVIL:
The Civil Docket will be handled via Zoom. If there is a reason why a matter cannot be handled via Zoom, contact the Court Coordinator via email at TrayNeisha.Sanford@fortbendcountytx.gov
To request a hearing date, please email the Court Coordinator at TrayNeisha.Sanford@fortbendcountytx.gov
The Motion and Order must be e-filed before requesting a hearing date
PROBATE CASES
Uncontested Probate matters can be scheduled for a virtual hearing (ZOOM) by contacting the Probate Auditor at the email address listed below.
Probate Cases-Contact Probate Auditor, Benny Charles: Email- Benny.Charles@fortbendcountytx.gov
The Court requests the public’s patience and understanding during this time. We are committed to following the guidelines established by the CDC and the Supreme Court of Texas.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Court Coordinator, and please have patience as she works to answer your questions.
NOTICE OF ACCOMMODATIONS FOR AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS
Due to COVID-19 many individuals are considered “at-risk” members of the vulnerable population. These members include, but are not limited to, individuals who are over 65 and individuals with serious underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune systems are compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer or other conditions. If you believe you are a member of this vulnerable population, please contact the court coordinator TrayNeisha Sanford via email at TrayNeisha.Sanford@fortbendcountytx.gov or call 281-341-4429 – *provide your full name, cause number and contact information* – to advise the court regarding your need for special accommodations and a specialized docket to ensure your continued safety.
Disclaimer:
Use this service at your own risk. Please be aware that some video conferencing software have a security risk and face issues with disclosure of private information.
Dismissal for Want of Prosecution
Attorneys with cases set on the Dismissal for Want of Prosecution (DWOP) dockets in this Court need to appear for these dockets if you have already had at least one (1) Order to Retain granted in the past. If you are filing your first Motion to Retain, please make sure it is properly verified and filed within ten (10) days prior to the DWOP docket.
Dismissal for Want of Prosecution
Attorneys with cases set on the Dismissal for Want of Prosecution (DWOP) dockets in this Court need to appear for these dockets if you have already had at least one (1) Order to Retain granted in the past. If you are filing your first Motion to Retain, please make sure it is properly verified and filed within ten (10) days prior to the DWOP docket.
Honorable Juli Mathew, Judge
Presiding Judge, County Court at Law No. 3, Fort Bend County
Judge Juli A. Mathew is a proud American, devoted wife and mother, and a respected judge who believes deeply in faith, fairness, and personal responsibility. As the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law No. 3, she upholds the rule of law with integrity and compassion, overseeing a broad range of cases including criminal, juvenile, civil, mental health, probate, guardianship, and Justice of the Peace appeals.
Dedicated to protecting families and strengthening her community, Judge Mathew founded Fort Bend County’s first Juvenile Intervention and Mental Health (JIMHS) Court, the first in the State of Texas, a specialty court focused on accountability, rehabilitation, and restoring young lives. Through firm but compassionate guidance, she ensures that young people are held responsible while given the opportunity to turn their lives around.
Judge Mathew’s journey began at Penn State University and continued at Delaware Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor. A proud immigrant from Kerala, India, and a longtime Fort Bend resident, she made history as the first Indian American woman elected to the bench in the United States and the first Asian American woman elected in Fort Bend County. Her story is one of perseverance, faith, and the American dream, proof that hard work and strong values can overcome any obstacle.
In addition to her judicial service, Judge Mathew has been a strong voice for accountability in government. She chairs the U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), has served on the Fort Bend County Bail Bond Committee, and is an active member of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ). She helps lead the Color of Justice Conference, encouraging young women and minorities to pursue careers of service rooted in integrity and dedication.
Judge Mathew’s community programs reflect her belief in open and responsive government. Through her Chai & Chat series, she brings local officials and residents together to promote transparency and shared problem solving. Her Kitchen to the Courthouse initiative inspires young women to dream big while reminding them that hard work and character matter most.
In 2023, Judge Mathew joined the University of Houston Law Center as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Professional Strategic Writing to law students preparing to enter the legal profession. A frequent keynote speaker, she has addressed the Juvenile Justice Conference, American Judges Association, and Texas Democratic Women, earning honors such as the NAACP Community Service Award, FOMAA Woman of the Year, and Outstanding Woman in Law from the South Indian U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Before taking the bench, Judge Mathew served as Associate Municipal Judge in Arcola, Texas, and practiced law for more than 15 years across Fort Bend and neighboring counties.
Above all, Judge Mathew is guided by her faith, family, and a steadfast belief in service. She strives to ensure that every person is treated with dignity, that justice is delivered with compassion, and that Fort Bend County remains a place where families can thrive and opportunity is earned.
Office Address
Fort Bend County Justice Center
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Courtroom 2D
Richmond, TX. 77469
Mailing Address
County Court at Law No.3
301 Jackson Street, Room 101
Richmond, TX. 77469
Telephone
281-341-4429
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - Noon; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Language Access | Important Notices
Notice of Language Assistance Services
FORT BEND COUNTY COURTS AT LAW AND DISTRICT COURTS ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING MEANINGFUL ACCESS TO COURT SERVICES FOR LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) PERSONS. LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO ANY PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH A COURT PROCEEDING WHO HAS DIFFICULTY COMMUNICATING IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE OR WHO NEEDS A DOCUMENT TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH.
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH, YOU MAY REQUEST LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE. TO REQUEST INTERPERETATION OR TRANSLATION SERVICED FOR THE FORT BEND COUNTY COURTS, PLEASE VISIT THE LANGUAGE ACCESS WEBPAGE.