Emergency Notices

In observance of Christmas and New Year's Day Fort Bend County Offices will be closed Tuesday & Wednesday December 24 & 25, 2024 & Wednesday January 1, 2025. There will be no bus service. Demand Response Service, The Greenway & Galleria transfer, TMC & Downtown Commuter Services will resume on Thursday, December 26, 2024 and Thursday, January 2, 2025 following New Year's Day closure.

Please be advised that Re:SearchTX is currently experiencing technical issues, and the service is temporarily unavailable. Our IT Department in collaboration with Tyler Technologies (Vendor for Re:SearchTX), is actively working to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Please contact our office at 281-341-4509 if you have any questions.

Please be advised of the following changes to our office hours for the upcoming holidays:

• December 23, 2024: All Fort Bend County Tax Offices will close at 12:00 PM for our employees’ holiday party.
• December 24-25, 2024: All offices will be closed in observance of Christmas.
• January 1, 2025: All offices will be closed for New Year’s Day.

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a joyful holiday season!

The Juvenile Docket moves from Mondays to Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. on the First, Second and Fourth Wednesdays unless otherwise instructed by the Juvenile Probation Officer.

Effective Monday, November 25, 2024. The temporary stop at Main & Dryden Road will no longer be utilized. The original route will resume and TMC stop #2 will return to Main @University.

The District Clerk’s Office will discontinue sending Electronic Copies of Orders and Notices for Civil and Family cases. (PDF NOTICE) Register NOW for RE:SEARCHTX.

The 2024 property tax statements are now accessible online. Visit the Fort Bend County Property Tax Payment website to view, print, and make a payment.

The Fort Bend County Tax Office is pleased to announce extended business hours during tax season to better accommodate our community and make our office more accessible. Starting December 2, 2024, through January 31, 2025, our hours will be: • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM • Tuesday and Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Starting August 1, 2024 all inspection requests will be made by emailing your request to: FMOINSPECTIONS@FORTBENDCOUNTYTX.GOV

The email above is to be used for scheduling inspections only. If you have a general question, please contact 281-238-1500.

Please include the following in your email:

• Name of Project
• Address of Project
• Contact name and number of project
• Type of inspection requested

You will receive an email of your inspection date and time within 24 hours of submitting your request. Please only send one request.

Beginning September 1, 2023, the 240th District Court will move to e-file resets for First Appearance Settings only. To avoid bond forfeiture, the reset must be e-filed no later than 9 AM on the day of your client’s First Appearance date. Please be advised that the Court will not accept an electronic reset if your client has an active warrant. Again, this new policy only pertains to First Appearance Settings. The Court will require an in person appearance for all other court settings.

We will no longer be accepting New Food Establishment Packages, including Plans and Drawing in a paper format. All Packages, including Plans and drawings, will need to be in a .pdf format. Should you have any questions, please contact our office at (281) 342-7469.

For calls that are outside business hours, please dial 281-633-7433 and select option 1 to reach our Dispatchers.

For all emergencies, please dial 911.

Beginning August 1, 2023, all plan submittals are required to be one (1) digital copy on a USB device. The USB device shall be formatted to be compatible with Bluebeam.

The plans shall be one continuous file and not individual files per sheet.

If you are looking for court or traffic information for Precinct 4, please contact the Justice of the Peace at (832) 471-2550. Thank you.

Probate Hearings will be at 9:00a.m.

As of September 1, 2021, the 240th District Court and 240th Associate District Court will no longer be accepting electronic resets by email.

Please be prepared to arrive in person as scheduled with your client on any future settings with the court.

Our Associate Judge Patel will be holding in person criminal dockets on Thursdays at 10:00am and 2:00pm in courtroom 3G. Inmates will be brought over in person for these dockets.

The First Appearance Arraignment Docket on Mondays at 1:00pm will be the only docket that emailed resets will still be accepted on.

All other criminal dockets, you will need to email the court and the prosecutor for approval of an electronic reset in advance of the docket if you or your client have any COVID related symptoms or are ill.

No emailed resets will be accepted unless approved
by court for all 240th criminal dockets except the First
Appearance Arraignment Dockets.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Court Coordinator by email at 240dc@fortbendcountytx.gov.

Thank you,
240th District Court and
240th Associate District Court

NOTICE OF ACCOMMODATIONS FOR AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS

Due to COVID-19 many of you are part of the vulnerable population. 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 requiring such therapy are considered to be vulnerable populations. If you are part of this vulnerable population please contact the court at  240dc@fortbendcountytx.gov or by phone at 281-341-8600 to advise the court regarding your need for special accommodations and a specialized docket to ensure your continued safety.

Thank you,
240th District Court Staff

Click here for the latest Court Coronavirus Information

Judge Rogers intends to hold full in-person dockets for his court and the associates’ court.

If you have any questions please contact us.

These policies also apply for all proceedings held in the 434^th Associate District Court

In compliance with the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance regarding Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events, the Supreme Court of Texas’ 43rd Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State Disaster, and out of a concern for public health, safety, and wellbeing, the 434th District Court will be holding limited in-person dockets.

CRIMINAL DOCKETS

• THE DOCKET CONTROL ORDER (provided below) SHALL APPLY TO ALL PENDING CRIMINAL CASES.
• The Docket Control Order shall be signed by ALL parties and filed with FBC District Clerk at the Arraignment Docket.
• ALL RESETS SHALL BE EFILED WITH THE DISTRICT CLERK’S OFFICE WITH NOTICE GIVEN TO THE FORT BEND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE.
• The Reset provided below is to be used for ALL Electronic Resets. Please download to your P.C. before entering the required information.
• Electronic Resets are being accepted on all pending cases with scheduled court appearances. All resets must be submitted by 9:00 a.m. the day of, but no more than 3 days prior to, docket call. It is the attorney’s responsibility to get their Client’s Signature OR Sign by Permission (W/ NOTICE TO CLIENT). THIS INCLUDES CLIENTS IN CUSTODY. All cases not timely submitted will be subject to bond forfeiture.
• You will need to contact the District Attorney’s Office at 281-341-4460 to have any pleas worked out before court and to notify them of any essential hearings. Defendants will appear in person. Paperwork must be e-filed 48 hours in advance and notice given to the Court Coordinator and Prosecutors. Please note that all hearings will be done via Webex, unless deemed essential by the court for an in-person hearing.
• IF AN INTERPRETER IS NEEDED, please let the Court know at least one week in advance.

CIVIL DOCKETS

• Please contact the Court Coordinator for available hearing dates and times at 434DC@fortbendcountytx.gov.
• After obtaining a hearing date and time, please e-file a notice of hearing for all civil cases with the District Clerk’s Office.
• Civil Trials scheduled through June 30, 2022, will need a new Docket Control Order in place. Please email the court for new dates.
• For your convenience, please see attached CIVIL DOCKET CONTROL ORDER.

Download the E-Reset Form [PDF]

Download Criminal Docket Control Order [DOCX]

Download Civil Docket Control Order [PDF]

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 interpretation or translation services for the Fort Bend County Courts, please visit the Language Access webpage.

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. If you believe you are a member of this vulnerable population, please contact the Court Coordinator, Tonie Guevara, via email at 434DC@fortbendcountytx.gov and 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.

Presiding Judge/ Honorable J. Christian Becerra

Associate Judge/ Honorable Argie Brame

Court Staff

Court Coordinator: Tonie Guevara

• Email: 434DC@fortbendcountytx.gov
• Telephone: 281-633-7653

Court Reporter: Rhonda Colgin

• Email: Rhonda.Colgin@fortbendcountytx.gov
• Telephone: 281-633-7654

Bailiff: Rafael Ramos

Associate Judge Court Coordinator: Lena Smith

• Email: Lena.Smith@fortbendcountytx.gov

Bailiff: Gary Marin

(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.

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.

Please use “eFile Texas” (no other provider is supported with the redaction tool).

It is FREE to sign up. https://www.efiletexas.gov

Upload the Unredacted document into eFile Texas and choose “Auto-Redact” and it will perform the redactions. The box then changes to “Edit Redactions” and a new window will open so you can manually redact the document as the “auto-redact” does not always catch all of the sensitive data. Once you confirm the redactions are made, upload/file the documents.

Effective September 5, 2022 we will no longer be accepting New Food Establishment Packages, including plans and drawings, in a paper format.  All Packages, including plans and drawings, will need to be submitted in a .pdf format via a flash drive to Environmental Health. Please contact our office with any questions you may have at, 281-342-7469.

Contact us for more information

All contracts executed by Commissioners Court, regardless of the dollar amount, will require completion of Form 1295 "Certificate of interested Parties", per the new Government Code Statute §2252.908.
Contact Purchasing for more information

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.

We have returned to our regular schedule and will accept plastics 1-7, but Styrofoam is still on hold.