Vernon's Texas Rules Annotated - VTRA TX R HAYS CTY DIST Chapter 1. General Provisions

1.1. Scope of Local Rules.  These Local Rules for the District Courts of Hays County, Texas are promulgated pursuant to the authority granted to the District Courts by Rule 3 a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and are intended to comply with Rule 10 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration and Rule 3 of the Rules of Administration for the Third Administrative Judicial Region.  These rules supersede and replace all prior Local Rules adopted by the District Courts.  These rules also supersede the Emergency Standing Order regarding Cases Arising Under Title 1, Chapter 45.  Title 4 or Title 5, Texas Family Code, signed on March 19, 2020.

These Local Rules are effective as of the effective date of the Standing Order Adopting Local Rules for the District Courts of Hays County, Texas signed by the District Courts.

Except when expressly superseded by Emergency Orders rendered by the Texas Supreme Court, the Presiding Judge of the Third Administrative Judicial Region of the State of Texas or the Local Administrative Judge for the District Courts of Hays County or any Standing Order collectively approved by the District Courts of Hays County, these rules govern procedures in each of the District Courts of Hays County and in the Family Court of Hays County.

Any Emergency Orders, as well as any Standing Orders, are available on the Hays County District Court's Website and the Office of Court Administration's Local Rules, Forms, and Standing Orders website.

To the extent these Local Rules conflict with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure or the Rules of Administration for the Third Administrative Judicial Region, the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Administration shall prevail.

1.2. Docketing and Assignment of Cases.  The District Clerk will file Criminal and Civil cases by assigning cases to the District Courts pursuant to the current Hays County District Courts Case Assignment Guidelines approved by the District Judges.  Unless a case is transferred pursuant to Rule 1.3 below, all hearings and trials will be heard by the Judge of the Court to which that case is assigned.

1.3. Transfer of Cases between Courts.  The transfer of cases between District Courts shall be done by written order upon the consent of the judges in those courts participating in the transfer or through redistribution directed by the Local Administrative Judge.

1.4. Local Administrative Judge.  By majority vote, the judges of the District Courts of Hays County elect their Local Administrative Judge in June every two years.  The Local Administrative Judge has the general administrative responsibility and authority necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the District Courts, including the authority to allocate cases and adjust dockets to facilitate the orderly and timely disposition of cases.

1.5. District Court Administrator.  All dockets for the District Courts and the Family Court are administered by the District Court Administrator under the supervision of the Local Administrative Judge.  All settings for hearings and trials must be scheduled through the office of the District Court Administrator, even those included in an order signed by a judge.  Any reference in these Local Rules to the office of the District Court Administrator shall include the Court Coordinators for each District Court and the Family Court.

1.6. Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence.  All self-represented litigants and attorneys who utilize any form of artificial intelligence for legal research or drafting in connection with any civil or criminal case shall before filing or presenting to a court any AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding certify in writing that:

1. All information created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence--including all language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis--was verified as accurate through traditional (non-AI) legal sources by an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Texas prior to submission, and

2. The person understands and acknowledges that they are and will be held responsible and subject to possible sanction under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 10, and the inherent power of the Court, or for contempt of court for failing to comply with this Rule.