Courtroom Etiquette & Rules

EFFECTIVE: MAY 9, 2024

Court is in session when docket is scheduled or a hearing is held.  While Court is in session, unless specified within these Rules or the Judge directs otherwise, the following MUST be observed by all persons that enter the courtroom, including but not limited to lawyers, witness, defendants, media and/or spectators:

  1. No smoking or use of tobacco products, including snuff, chewing tobacco or vaporizers.
  2. No eating, drinking or gum chewing.  Lawyers may seek prior approval from the Court to bring a bottle of water into the courtroom during dockets.
  3. No sleeping in the courtroom.  
  4. No propping feet or sitting on tables, railings or the backs of benches or chairs.
  5. No reading of books, magazines and/or newspapers, including any electronic forms of such materials, except court related documents.
  6. No standing in the courtroom, except when addressing the Court, or by the direction of the Judge or when necessitated by the business of the Court.
  7. No loud noises or talking, unless addressing the Court.  All other conversations should be carried on outside the courtroom or in the attorney conference rooms.  Lawyers shall be allowed to conduct business inside the courtroom when a record is not being taken down by a Court Reporter.
  8. No gestures or disruptions indicating approval or disapproval of a ruling by the Court or a comment on testimony of a witness.
  9. No bags, backpacks, brief cases, diaper bags or purses are allowed at the Judge’s Bench, unless approved by the Court Bailiff.
  10. No weapons shall be brought into the courtroom.  Commissioned peace officers may bring their duty weapon into the courtroom.  The Judge shall have the discretion to have any object removed from the courtroom.
  11. No unattended children in the courtroom.  Children sixteen (16) and under cannot be brought into the courtroom, unless the child is a party to a case, related to a party in a case, or witness to the case or prior approval has been granted by the Court.  
  12. All cellular phones, pagers, cameras, tablets, laptops and/or any mobile devices MUST be turned off or placed on silent mode in the courtroom.  Any device that rings, vibrates or activates during a docket is subject to confiscation by the Court Bailiff and shall not be returned to the device’s owner until the conclusion of docket.  All parties, witnesses, jurors, defendants or spectators seated in the gallery are prohibited from using cellular phones, pagers, cameras, tablets, laptops and/or any mobile devices.  Attorneys are allowed to access such devices when courtroom business necessitates.
  13. Pictures, videos, and/or any recordings in the courtroom are strictly prohibited, unless otherwise approved by the Court.
  14. All persons, whether lawyers, parties, witnesses, jurors, or spectators, conducting business, participating in trials, or otherwise attending proceedings in the courtroom shall be dressed appropriately so as to maintain the dignity, integrity, decorum, seriousness and professional atmosphere of the Court and the administration of justice.  As such, no inappropriate attire, including shorts, tank tops, cut-offs, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts, jeans with holes or cut-outs, low pants with underwear showing, inappropriate “message” shirts, or sunglasses shall be allowed. All males must tuck in their shirts. No hats or head coverings including scarves, bandanas or do-rags shall be worn in the courtroom, unless such item is of a religious nature or for medical reasons.  
  15. All persons whether lawyers, parties, witnesses, jurors, or spectators, conducting business, participating in trials, or otherwise attending proceedings in the courtroom shall conduct themselves in a manner so as to maintain the dignity, integrity, decorum, seriousness and professional atmosphere of the Court and the administration of justice. 
  16. Tardiness will not be tolerated.  Failure to be present at the start of a scheduled docket and/or make an announcement during docket call may result in the passing of the case, the revocation of a bond, and/or any other remedy available to the Court under Texas law. 
  17. All misdemeanor and juvenile plea paperwork shall be completed and turned into the county clerk and/or court probation at the start of all plea dockets, unless an exception is granted by the Court.