Court Opinion

ID: 4071576
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-30 02:10:16.628679+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:32:13.298866
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                                      13-15-00235-CR
                                                      THIRTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
                                                             CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
                                                                11/9/2015 10:56:16 AM
                                                                     Dorian E. Ramirez
                                                                                CLERK

             NO. 13-15-00235-CR

       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS       FILED IN
                             13th OF
    FOR THE THIRTEENTH DISTRICT   COURT OF APPEALS
                          CORPUS CHRISTI/EDINBURG, TEXAS
                TEXAS        11/9/2015 10:56:16 AM
           AT CORPUS CHRISTI   DORIAN E. RAMIREZ
                                              Clerk
          THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                        Appellant,
                       v.

            HECTOR GARCIA,
                       Appellee.

     On Appeal from the 24th District Court
           Victoria County, Texas
        Cause Number 14-05-27,962-A

APPELLANT'S FIRST AMENDED REPLY BRIEF

           STEPHEN B. TYLER
          Criminal District Attorney
           Victoria County, Texas

         BRENDAN WYATT GUY
      Assistant Criminal District Attorney
            Victoria County, Texas
          205 N. Bridge St. Ste. 301,
          Victoria, Texas 77901-6576
                bguy@vctx.org
                (361) 575-0468
             (361) 570-1041 (fax)
            State Bar No. 24034895
                  (On Appeal)

        Attorneys for the State of Texas

   ORAL ARGUMENT NOT REQUESTED
                               IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

 Pursuant to TEX. R. APP. P. 38.l(a) (2003), the parties to the suit are as
 follows:

 APPELLANT                                        The State of Texas

 APPELLEE                                         Hector Garcia

 TRIAL JUDGE                                      The Honorable Eli Elmo Garza
                                                  37ih District Court
                                                  Victoria, Texas

TRIAL PROSECUTOR                                  Stephen Bret Tyler
                                                  State Bar No. 24008186
                                                  Criminal District Attorney
                                                  205 N. Bridge St. Ste 301
                                                  Victoria, Texas 77901-6576

TRIAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY                            Micah Wayne Hatley
                                                  State Bar No. 24053260
                                                  P. 0. Box 2113
                                                  Victoria, Texas 77902

APPELLATE STATE'S                                 Brendan Wyatt Guy
ATTORNEY                                          State Bar No. 24034895
                                                  Assistant Criminal District Attorney
                                                  205 N. Bridge St. Ste 301
                                                  Victoria, Texas 77901-6576

APPELLATE DEFENSE                                 Luis Adrian Martinez
ATTORNEY                                          State Bar No. 24010213
                                                  P.O. Box 410
                                                  Victoria, Texas 77902-0410

First Amended Reply Brtef of Appellant       11
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No.13-15-00235-CR
                                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                 PAGE (S)

 IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL .......................................... ii

 TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................... iii-iv

 INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ............................................................... v-vi

 SUMMARY OF REPLY ....................................................................... 1-4

REPLY .................................................................................................. 4-16

           I. The State properly preserved for appellate review
              the issue of the Appellee's untimely presentment of
               his motion to quash .................................................................... 4-8

        II. The Wilson/Neal line of cases are the controlling law
            on the issue of whether a motion to quash can be
            presented after a party has announced ready for trial. ....... S-11

     III. Even under Article 1.14, Appellee's motion to quash
          was untimely and should not have been heard .....•.............. ll-16

PRAYER .................................................................................................. 17

SIGNATURE ........................................................................................... 17

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE .................................................... 18

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE .............................................................. 19

APPENDIX .................................................................................. A-1-A-44

      I.       Appendix Table of Contents .................................................... A-1

Flrsl Amended Reply Brief of Appellanl
                                                       lll
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
      II.       Local Rules of Court for the
                24 1\ 1351\ 267 111 and 377111 District Courts ...................... A-2-A-44

First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant           IV
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
                                             INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

                                      United States Court of Appeals Cases

 Government of the Virgin Islands v. George,
 680 F.2d 13 (3rd Cir. 1982) ..................................................................... 12

 United States v. Miller, 463 F.2d 600 (1 ' 1 Cir. 1972) ............................. 12

                                                   Texas Cases

Hinojosa v. State, 875 S.W.2d 339
(Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 1994, no pet) .....................•......................... ll

Lankston v. State, 827 S.W.2d 907 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992) .................. 4

Miller v. State, 692 S.W.2d 88 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985) ....................... 12

Miller v. State, 33 S.W.3d 257 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) ....................... 10

Neal v. State, 150 S.W.3d 169 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004) ....... iii, 2-3, 8-10,
 ................................................................................................................... 16

Resendez v. State, 160 S.W.3d 181
(Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2005, no pet) ................................................. 7

Smith v. State, 309 S.W.3d 10 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) ................•... 8, 13
Wilson v. State, 398 S.W.2d 291 (Tex. Crim. App. 1966) ........ iii, 2-3, 4,
.......................................................................................................... 9-12, 16

                                                 Texas Statues

TEX. CODE CRIM. PRO. art.1.14 (West 2005) ........... 2-4, 9-12, 15-16

TEX. CODE CRIM. PRO. art. 28.10 (West 2006) .........................•..... 11

First Amended Reply Brtef of Appellant                    v
Victoria County Crimina! District Attorney
No. 13-15-{)0235-CR
                                                Texas Rules

 TEX. R. APP. 9.4 ..................................................................................... 18

 TEX. R. APP. 33.1 ..................................................................................... 4

 TEX. R. APP. 38.1 ..................................................................................... ii

                                             Local Court Rules

 241\ 1351\ 26i" and 37i" (TEX.)
 DIST. CT. LOC. R. 3.10
 (Calhoun, Dewitt, Goliad, Jackson,
 Refugio, and Victoria counties) ............................................. S-6, 12, A-10

First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant              Vl
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
                                                NO. 13-15-00235-CR

                                   IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
                              FOR THE THIRTEEN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                                       AT CORPUS CHRISTI

 THE STATE OF TEXAS .................................................. Appelant

 v.

 HECTOR GARCIA, ......................................................... Appellee

                                                    *****
                     APPELLANT'S FIRST AMENDED REPLY BRIEF

                                                    *****
TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS:

             COMES NOW, THE STATE OF TEXAS, by and through her Criminal

District Attorney, Stephen B. Tyler, and as Appellant in the above numbered

and entitled cause, and files this, the Appellant's First Amended Reply Brief,

showing:

                                             SUMMARY OF THE REPLY

             The State properly preserved for appellate review its challenge to the

Appellee's untimely presentment of his motion to quash. The State's written

response to the Appellee's motion to quash clearly asserted that the State

believed Appellee's motion was untimely and accordingly that Appellee had

                                                        1
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
 forfeited any right to challenge the charging instrument. Furthermore, the

 trial court clearly understood the basis of the State's challenge to Appellee's

 motion to quash on this issue, and the State's challenge to the Appellee's

 motion to quash was timely filed as it was submitted prior to the trial court

 ruling on the Appellee's motion. The State likewise secured an adverse

 ruling on this issue when the trial court granted Appellee's motion to quash.

 Thus the State made a timely, specific argument and secured an adverse

ruling on said argument, which is all that is required to secure appellate

review on the question of the timeliness of Appellee's motion to quash.

             The Wilson/Neal line of cases are the controlling Texas law on the

issue of whether a party can present a motion to quash after announcing

ready for trial. The Neal case saw the Court of Criminal Appeals reaffirm

their earlier holding in Wilson that a motion to quash could not be presented

after the party had announced ready for trial, and since Neal was decided

after the last revision to Article 1.14 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was

enacted, the legal principle established in Wilson and reaffirmed in Neal is

the controlling Texas law on the timeliness of challenges to the charging

instruments after a party has announced ready for trial. The legislature is

presumed to be aware of relevant case law, so if the legislature disapproved

                                             2
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
 of what the Court of Criminal Appeals did in Neal, they would have

 amended Article 1.14 to ovetTule Wilson and Neal on this point of law. That

 the legislature did not do so shows that the legislature endorses the

 Wilson/Neal line of cases, and thus the principle of law established in those

 cases controls, which means Appellee's motion to quash was untimely and

 should not have been granted.

              Furthermore, even under Article 1.14(b) of the Texas Code of

Criminal Procedure, Appellee's motion to quash was untimely and should

not have been heard. Texas courts have decided that, for some purposes,

trial on the merits commences when the jury is actually sworn in, but it has

not yet been decided when trial on the merits commences for the purposes of

Article 1.14(b). As such the State contends that for purposes of Article

1.14(b), trial on the merits commences when the work of impaneling the jury

begins. Such a standard has been favorably referenced by the Court of

Criminal Appeals before and is the standard that will best promote efficiency

and lessen the risk of summoning venire panels for no purpose. If such a

standard is adopted then it is clear that Appellee's motion to quash was

untimely as Appellee's motion was filed on the same day that the venire

panel was summoned, sworn, and qualified. Thus since Appellee's motion

                                             3
Firs! Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No.13-15~0235-CR
 to quash was submitted on the same day the work of impaneling the jury

 began, Appellee's motion to quash was also untimely under Article 1.14(b)

 of should have been denied.

                                             REPLY

 I.         The State properly preserved for appellate review the issue of the
            Appellee's untimely presentment of his motion to quash.

            The State both submitted a timely, specific objection against

 Appellee's motion to quash on the grounds that said motion was untimely

presented to the trial court and secured an adverse ruling from the trial court

on the State's objection to Appellee's motion to quash. As such the State

did everything necessary to preserve error on this issue under Texas Rule of

Appellate Procedure 33.1.

           All that is required for a party to avoid the forfeiture of a complaint on

appeal is that a party let the trial court know what it wants, why the party

believes it is entitled to that relief, and that it do so clearly enough for the

judge to understand what the party wants at a time when the trial court is in a

proper position to provide the requested relief. Lankston v. State, 827 S.W.
2d 907, 909 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992). The State's challenge to the defense

motion to quash on the grounds met all of those requirements, and thus

properly preserved error on this point.

                                              4
First Amended Reply Brtef of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
            Section 3 of the State's Response to Defense Motion to Quash,

 assetted that the Appellee had waived and forfeited any right to object to the

 motion to quash due to the untimely presentment of the defense motion.

 [CR-I-70-71]. The plain language of that response clearly informed the trial

 court of what the State wanted (Appellee's motion to quash to be denied),

 and why the State was entitled to that result (because Appellee's motion had

 been untimely presented.) Thus the State's written response constituted a

 specific objection to Appellee's motion to quash being granted.

           The State's response to the Appellee's motion to quash likewise

asserted the State's position clearly enough that the trial court obviously

understood that the State was challenging the timeliness of the defense

motion. The nature of the State's objection to Appelee's motion to quash is

obvious just from the plain language of Section 3 of the State's response,

and the fact that the trial court did not seek any oral argument from the

parties prior to ruling on the defense motion made it clear that the trial court

fully understood the nature of the State's objection. [RR-V-6]. (It is not

plausible that the trial court would have ruled on Appellee's motion to quash

without permitting oral argument from the parties if the trial court did not

actually understand the State's argument.) Furthermore, Rule 3.10 of the

                                             5
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15.{)0235-CR
 Local Rules of Court for the 24 1h, 135 1h, 26th and 377 1h Judicial District

 Courts (the Local Rules of Court applicable in the trial court) clearly

 establishes the requirement on parties to submit their motions at pre-trial

 hearings and further establishes that failure to present such motions "in a

 timely manner shall cause them to be waived." The trial judge obviously

 knows and follows the rules of his own court, and thus the trial judge would

 understand that a response that asserts that the defense has waived a pre-trial

 motion is a response that said motion has been untimely presented to the

 court, since untimeliness of presentment is the factor that causes a party to

waive a pre-trial motion per Local Rule 3.10.

             The State's challenge to the defense motion to quash was also clearly

submitted in a timely manner. The State's response was filed on May 5,

2015. [CR-I-70]. That is admittedly the same day the hearing on the motion

to quash was held. [RR-V-1] (It was hardly possible for the State to file its

response any earlier since the Appellee's motion to quash was filed on May

4, 2015.) [CR-I-64]. However, it is still clear that the State's response was

filed prior to the trial court mling on Appellee's motion since the trial court

explicitly referenced having read the State's response prior to ruling on

                                             6
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
 Appellee's motion.                          [RR-V-6].   Thus the State also clearly asserted its

 objection to Appellee's motion to quash in a timely manner.

             Therefore the State's objection to Appellee's motion to quash was

 timely, specific, and was done in such a way that the trial court would have

 understood both the nature of the State's objection and the relief being

 sought by the State. Accordingly, the State's response to Appellee's motion

 to quash met all the requirements necessary to preserve appellate review on

 the timeliness of the presentment of Appellee's motion.

            Nor can it be disputed that the State secured an adverse ruling on this

issue. Despite the State's response, which clearly asserted that Appellee had

waived his right to challenge the indictment, the trial court granted

Appellee's motion to quash. [RR-V-6]. A ruling granting the motion to

quash, implicitly overruled all of the State's arguments for why that motion

to quash should not be granted. See Resendez v. State, 160 S.W.3d 181, 190

(Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2005, no pet)(holding that a trial court implicitly

making an adverse ruling against a party is enough to preserve error).                     Thus

the trial court's ruling granting Appellee's motion to quash was a definite

adverse ruling against the State's argument that the motion to quash should

be denied due to the untimely presentment of said motion.

                                                           7
First Amended Reply Brtef of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No.13-15-00235-CR
           Therefore the State both raised a timely, specific challenge to the trial

 court concerning Appellee's motion to quash and then secured an adverse

 ruling from the trial court on the timeliness of the presentment of Appellee's

 motion to quash. That is all that is required to preserve the issue of whether

 Appellee's motion to quash was untimely for appellate review. See Smith v.

 State, 309 S.W.3d 10, 18 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010).

             II. The Wilson/Neal line of cases are the controlling law on the
                 issue of whether a motion to quash can be presented after a
                 party has announced ready for trial.

             Appellee's brief attempts to dismiss the long settled principle of Texas

 law, that a motion to quash cannot be presented after a party has announced

ready for trial, as mere dicta.              Such a position would undermine long

established Texas law and should therefore be rejected.

              It is perhaps true, as Appellee argues, that the issue of when a motion

to quash can be presented to the trial court, was not really the primary issue

in Neal.              See Neal v. State, 150 S.W.3d 169 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004).

However, it is also true that Neal is not the case that originated the point of

Texas law that a motion to quash cannot be presented after a party has

announced ready for trial. Rather that point of law had already been firmly

established by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals since at least the Wilson

                                               8
Fimt Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
 case in 1966. See Wilson v. State, 398 S.W.2d 291, 293 (Tex. Crim. App.

 1966)(op. on reh'g)(holding that "It has long been the rule in this Court that

 motions to quash must be presented prior to announcement of ready.")

 (emphasis added).

              Thus the prohibition on presenting a motion to quash to the trial court

 after announcing ready for trial is clearly not just some random musing of

the Comt of Criminal Appeals; it is instead a long settled principle of Texas

law that has endured for at least 50 years. The specific significance of Neal

is therefore that it shows that the Court of Criminal Appeals continues to

affirm Wilson as good law even after the adoption and amendment of Texas

Code of Criminal Procedure Article l.l4(b). See Neal, 150 S.W.3d at 176.

As such to the extent there is any conflict between the Wilson/Neal line of

cases and Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article l.l4(b ), the

Wilson/Neal line of cases must prevail.

           Article 1.14 was last amended by the   72nct   legislature, with the changes

to the statute going into effect in September of 1991. Neal was decided in

2004. Thus Neal reaffirmed the prohibition against presenting a motion to

quash after announcing ready for trial thirteen years after the last revision to

Article 1.14. Neal is the more recent statement of law and as the more

                                             9
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
 recent statement of law it should control. After all, it is presumed that the

 legislature is aware of case law affecting or relating to a statute. Miller v.

 State, 33 S.W.3d 257, 260 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Thus if the legislature

 disapproved of Neal (and thus Wilson), it could have easily amended Article

 1.14 to establish that said article and not the Wilson/Neal line of cases would

 control as to when a motion to quash could be presented. The legislature did

 not do that though and thus implicitly embraced the Wilson/Neal rule

 prohibiting the presentment of motions to quash after a party has announced

ready for trial.

           The rule established by the Court of Criminal Appeals in Wilson and

reaffirmed in Neal is therefore the controlling law concerning the timeliness

of the presentment of motions to quash after a party has announced ready for

trial, and said rule makes it clear that such motions cannot be presented after

a party has announced ready for trial. Wilson v. State, 398 S.W.2d at 293;

Neal, 150 S.W.3d at 176. Appellee presented his motion to quash to the

trial court after he had announced ready for trial.      [RR-IV-6; RR-V-6].

Therefore Appellee's motion to quash was untimely, and it was plain error

for the trial court to grant said motion. Texas law is abundantly clear on this

issue, and thus the case law established by the Court of Criminal Appeals

                                             10
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No.13-15-00235-CR
 should be upheld. Therefore the trial comi's decision to grant Appellee's

 motion to quash must be reversed.

            III. Even under Article 1.14, Appellee's motion to quash was
                 untimely and should not have been heard.

            In the alternative, even if the Wilson/Neal line of cases is disregarded,

 Appellee's motion to quash was still untimely pursuant to Article 1.14 of the

 Code of Criminal Procedure, and therefore should have also been denied

pursuant to that statute.

            Article 1.14 states that a defendant who does not object to a defect,

error, or irregularity in the charging instrument prior to the date on which the

trial on the merits commences, waives and forfeits any claim of error related

to the charging instrument.                  Thus the critical issue in analyzing Article

1.14(b) for this case is what does the "date on which the trial on the merits

commences" actually mean.

           There is admittedly case law that, for certain statutes, the trial on the

merits only commences on the day that the jury is actually sworn into

service. See Hinojosa v. State, 875 S.W.2d 339, 342 (Tex. App.-Corpus

Christi 1994, no pet)(holding that for purposes of Article 28.10 of the Texas

Code of Criminal Procedure, trial on the merits commences on the day the

jury is impaneled and sworn). However, it has not been definitively

                                                  11
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Crimina! District Attorney
No. 13·15-00235-CR
 established by the Court of Criminal Appeals when trial on the merits

 commences for the purposes of Article 1.14(b) of the Code of Criminal

 Procedure and thus that legal question is still open.

                It should also be noted that the Court of Criminal Appeals has in the

 past favorably spoken of the standard employed by some of the federal

 courts of appeals in holding that trial on the merits commences at the time

 that the work of "impaneling the jurors begins." See Miller v. State, 692
S.W.2d 88, 91 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985); United States v. Miller, 463 F.2d
600, 603 (1st Cir. 1972); Government of the Virgin Islands v. George, 680 F.
2d 13, 15 (3'ct Cir. 1982). That is a sensible standard to employ in regards to

 challenges against a charging instruments and thus the State would urge that

this standard be adopted for interpreting when a trial on the merits

commences for the purpose of Article 1.14 of the Code of Criminal

Procedure. (Such a standard would also be consistent with the logic of the

trial court's Local Court Rule 3.1 0; a rule that clearly recognizes the danger

of untimely presented motions and attempts to prevent the problems caused

by the failure to timely present motions by making the price of such failure

the waiver of the motion.)

                                             12
First Amended Reply Brtef of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-D0235-CR
            The only logical reason for putting limitations on how late a defendant

 can challenge the charging instrument is to avoid the inconvenience and

 expense of having the parties prepare for trial, and of having a venire panel

 brought in, only to have the trial then cancelled by a last minute challenge to

 the charging instrument. Such last minute cancellations have the potential to

 inject substantial unnecessary costs into the system and will certainly

 engender great frustration and irritation in the witnesses and venire members

who are pulled out of their normal lives and forced to come to court for

ultimately no purpose. Such incidents also have the potential to damage the

credibility and esteem of the entire justice system which at best seems

wasteful and at worst seems downright contemptuous of its citizens, if they

are called in for jury duty and then inexplicably dismissed over a matter that

could have easily been handled at a pre-trial hearing far in advance of the

summoning of the venire panel.

            Such inefficiencies might be necessary to tolerate if that was the only

way to vindicate the rights of a defendant, but that is clearly not the case

when it comes to challenges to a charging instrument. A challenge to the

sufficiency of a charging instrument presents a question of law. See Smith,
309 S.W.3d at 13. Therefore such challenges do not require any discovery

                                             13
First Amended Reply Bnef of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
 or tracking down errant witnesses or anything else that might necessitate a

 last minute submission.                     The questions involved in the sufficiency of a

 charging instrument are all legal questions rather than factual questions and

 thus, barring a late amendment to the charging instrument by the State, there

 is no reason why such a motion would need to be filed at the last minute, and

 therefore no reason why the justice system should tolerate such challenges

 after the venire panel has already been brought to the courthouse and the

work of impaneling the panel has begun.

          Appellee's brief list several possible remedies the State has for dealing

with a last minute presented motion to quash but those remedies do not

address the problems of unnecessary waste and disruption caused by

allowing challenges to charging instruments after the venire panel has

already arrived. It is true that the State can appeal or seek to re-indict in

response to the granting of a last second motion to quash, but neither of

those options helps alleviate the above listed problems. The State will still

be out any money that it spent transporting witnesses; the county will still

have to pay for the cost of all the jurors that were summoned, the witnesses

and venire members will still have been called away from their normal lives

for no real purpose, and the justice system itself will still look inefficient and

                                                     14
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
 contemptuous of people's time. The only way to avoid such needless waste

 and disruption is to require challenges to the charging instmments to take

 place before the work of impaneling a venire panels begins.            Such an

 approach will still fully protect the rights of defendants (since defendants

 can easily raise any challenges to the charging instruments well in advance

 of the arrival of the venire panel), and this approach will greatly reduce the

risk of having a venire panel summoned for no purpose.

          The Court of Criminal Appeals and several federal comis of appeal

have already looked favorably on the idea that trial commences at the time

the work on impaneling a jury begins. That approach is a sensible standard,

and the best way to promote the interests of the community, without

undermining the rights of the defendants. Thus for purposes of determining

when the trial on the merits commences under Article 1.14, that approach

should be adopted, and under that approach it is clear that Appellee did not

comply with the requirements of Article 1.14(b) in this case.

            The venire panel for this case was called in, swom, and qualified on

May 4, 2015. [CR-I-118]. Appellee's motion to quash was filed that same

day [CR-I-64] and was not presented to the trial court until the following

day. [RR-V-6]. Thus since the venire panel had already been called in,

                                             15
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
 sworn and qualified the day before Appellee's objection to the indictment

 was heard, the work on impaneling the jury had already begun, which should

 mean that, for purposes of Article 1.14(b), the trial on the merits had already

 commenced.                    As such even without considering the Wilson/Neal line of

 cases, Appellee's motion to quash was untimely under Article 1.14(b) and

 should not have been granted.

                                                  16
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No.13-15-00235-CR
                                              PRAYER

              WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the State prays that this

 Honorable Comi reverse the judgment of the trial court.

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             STEPHEN B. TYLER
                                             CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY

                                             Is/ Brendan W. Guy
                                             Brendan W. Guy
                                             Assistant Criminal District Attorney
                                             SBN 24034895
                                             205 North Bridge Street, Suite 301
                                             Victoria, Texas 77902
                                             E-mail: bguy@vctx.org
                                             Telephone: (361) 575-0468
                                             Facsimile: (361) 576-4139

                                             ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPELLANT,
                                             THE STATE OF TEXAS

                                                  17
First Amended Reply Brtef of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No.13-15-00235-CR
                                       CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

              In compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(3), I,

 Brendan Wyatt Guy, Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Victoria County,

 Texas, certify that the number of words in Appellant's First Amended Reply

 Brief submitted on November 9, 2015, excluding those matters listed in Rule

 9.4(i)(3) is 3,401.

                                               Is/ Brendan W. Guy
                                               Brendan W. Guy
                                               Assistant Criminal District Attorney
                                               SBN 24034895
                                               205 North Bridge Street, Suite 301
                                               Victoria, Texas 77902
                                               E-mail: bguy@vctx.org
                                               Telephone: (361) 575-0468
                                               Facsimile: (361) 576-4139

                                                    18
First Amended Reply Bnef of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
                                             CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

             I, Brendan Wyatt Guy, Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Victoria

 County, Texas, certifY that a copy of the foregoing brief has been served on

Luis Martinez, Attorney for the Appellee, by electronic mail on the day of

November 9, 2015.

                                                   Is/ Brendan W. Guy
                                                   Brendan W. Guy
                                                   Assistant Criminal District Attorney
                                                   SBN 24034895
                                                   205 North Bridge Street, Suite 301
                                                   Victoria, Texas 77902
                                                   E-mail: bguy@vctx.org
                                                   Telephone: (361) 575-0468
                                                   Facsimile: (361) 576-4139

                                                        19
First Amended Reply Brief of Appellant
Victoria County Criminal District Attorney
No. 13-15-00235-CR
                                                 APPENDIX

                                             Table of Contents

Table of Contents .................................................................................... A-1

Local Rules of Court for tile
24 1\ 1351\ 26i11 and 37i11 District Courts ................................... A-2-A-44

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                                   RULES OF COURT

                                                                      24th, I 35th and 261th DISTRICT COURTS

                                                                                   Composed. of

                                                          CALHOUN, DEWITT, GOLIAD, JACKSON,·

                                                                       REFUGIO AND VICTORJA COUNTIES

                                                                                        and

                                                                             377th DISTRICT COURT

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                                                                                   Compose(/ of
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     Pursuant to the authorization of Rule J (a) of the Texas
Rules of civil Procedure, the following rules governing the
practice in the District Courts of the 24th, l35th, 267th and
377th Judicial Districts of Texas have been adopted.         Nothing
contained in these rules shall be construed or interpreted as
interfering with the rights of the Trial Judge to make such
orders; setting or procedural directions as in his discretion
may be necessary and proper for the expedient and orderly
dispatch of the business of the Court.
     The Clerk of the District Court of each of the
counties composing the 24th, 135th, 267th and 377th Judicial
Districts shall make available to each attorney practicing
in such Court copies of these Rules for a fee set by the
Clerk.

           1.   FILING AND   SE~'TING   FOR TRIAL OF CASES

Rule 1.10 Time Standards for Case Disposition.

     The 24th, 135th, 267th and 377th Judicial District
Courts adopt the time standards for disposition of cases as
established by the Constitution, Statutes, or by Rules of the
Supreme court, Rules of Judicial Administration,       or by rules.

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promulgated by the Court of Criminal Appeals.
      The Court may elect to vary from these time standards in
complex cases or special circumstances upon the motion of
either party or upon the Court's own motion.
Rule 1.11 Court Sessions.
      The Courts sitting in the above mentioned counties shall
be set according to a schedule or calendar published.         The
Courts shall publish an annual calendar showing the weeks of
jury trials, non-jury trials, holidays and other schedules and
events and any other matters that will facilitate the work of
the Co. urt.   The Clerk shall make available a copy of the
calendar to each attorney or litigant appearing in the Court
and to other persons requesting it.
Rule 1.12.     Filing and Assignment of Cases.
     All criminal cases shall be filed in the 24th Judicial
District Court.
     All civil cases invoking District Court jurisdiction
should be filed on a rotating basis among the District Courts.

On being filed, a case shall be assigned randomly to the docket
of one of the District Courts.         Once assigned to a Court, the
case will remain on the docket of that Court for all purposes.
Rule 1.13.      Docket and Bench Exchange.
     Any District Judge having geographical jurisdiction may
hear and determine any matter pending in either of the District
Courts of this district.     In setting cases 1 the District Clerk
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will ordinarily do so without reference to which Court the same
is filed in or which Judge will ·be present to hear cases at a
particular time.

Rule 1.13 (e) .    Setting Before A Particular Judge.
      If a Judge has heard preliminary, pre-trial,      or related
matters in a complex or a time-consuming case, the Judge may,
either on his own motion or on the suggestion of the parties,
retain that case through final disposition.     Such cases may be
set in this manner only with the approval of the Judge who
heard the earlier matters in that case.     A setting before a
particular Judge is not necessarily a preferential setting.

     Except for unusual circumstances, post trial matters such
as Motions for Judgment, Motions for New 'l'rial, and motions
ancillary to enforcement of the judgment,     except for Contempt
Motions in Family Law matters, will be heard before the Judge
who rendered judgment in the case.
     Any Judge of the District Court serving a Judicial
District may act for any other Judge of the District Court
serving the same county in any case where the unavailability
of the Judge of the court in which the case is assigned shall
work an injustice or hardship by undue delay,     including, but
not limited to:    criminal matters; habeas corpus matters;
juvenile matters; temporary restraining orders; tempor·ary
injunction hearings; contempt matters; and other emergency
matters.

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Rule 1. J 4.    Request for settings - Non-jury Cases ...

      Non-jury cases may be set for trial upon request to the

District Clerk of the Court in which the case is filed, or upon

the court's own motion.      such request may be made by letter, by

Motion to Set or in any other manner that may be appropriate.

Notice of such Motion or request shall be mailed to all other

counsel in the case.

Rule 1.15.     Request   for settings -Jury Cases.
      Jury cases may be set by request from any party or upon

the Court's own Motion or at a scheduling or Docket Control

Conference hereafter described under Rule 3.18.                Preferably

such jury settings shall be made after consultation with all

attorneys of record in order that conflicts of schedule and

.last minute delays may be avoided.

Rule 1.16.     Reguest for Preferentiai Setting.

     Special preferential settings may be made by the Judge

when because of unusual circumstances more than ordinary

difficulty would be encountered in having all counsel and

witnesses available when the case is reached in regular order.

Cases specially set shall tak.e precedence ove.r all other

matters,   except matters entitled to preference by law and

mat·ters commenced but not completed the preceding week.              A

preferential setting shall be made only by agreement of all the
parties and with consent of the Judge who will preside, after

showing good cause therefor.                Such preferential setting may be

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abated only by the J'udge involved.     After a case has been
preferentially set, other engagements of counsel shall not be
grounds for postponement of a case specially set, unless good
cause is shown on motion and notice filed more than ten days
before the date set for trial.      Cases preferentially   set are
not subject to carry over.

Rule 1.17.   Emergency and Special Meetings.
     Whenever immediate action of a Judge is required in an
emergency and the Clerk's office is not open for business,       the
case shall, nevertheless,    at the earliest practical time be
docketed and assigned to a Court as provided by these rules,
and all writs and process shall be returnable to that Court.
     All applications for ex parte relief shall state whether
or not within the knowledge of the applicant and his attorney
the. opposing party is represented by counsel and if so the
names of such counsel.
Rule 1.18.   Docket Calls and Announcements.
     Each Judge shall call the number and style of the cases
assigned for that day at the commencement of proceedings,       at

which time the attorneys for each party shall indicate whether
they are ready for trial and how long the trial of the matter
before the Court will take.      Each attorney should be candid and
liberal in time estimates.

     The purpose of Docket Call shall be to designate actual
trial cases and to assign a numerical order of trial.

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        Readiness should be confirmed at Docket Call.
        Rule 1.19.    Resetting cases.
                Jury cases not 1:eached for trial when all parties are
        .r ap.y may be carried over to the next availabl \docket not in
        conflict with other trial settings of the attorney, and such a
        "carry over" case shall have preference over other cases set
        for the later dockets, except for cases with. a preferential
        setting.     Preferential settings shall not be subject to a carry
        over status, but shall be.reset by the Judge granting the
        preferential setting.
               Dismissal cases that have been continued shall be reset by
        the Judge for the next trial date available, and no case shall
        be continued without a subsequent trial setting being·made.
               The reset of an·y. dismissal case continued shall be by a
        Pre~trial    order which also shall set forth deadlines for
        joinder of parties, amendment of pleadings, completing
        depositions, and the making of a response or supplemental
        response to discovery, and other    pre~trial   matters.   A form of
        such   Pre~trial   Order is attached as Exhibit c.
        Rule 1.20.     Dismissals and Dismissal Docket.
               (a)   Any case not disposed of within.the time standards of
        Rule 6 of the Rules of Judicial Administration should be placed
        on the Dismissal Docket at Regular Intervals as directed by the
        Judges of the District, and notice of the Courts' intention to
        dismiss and the date and place of the dismissal hearing shall

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be sent by the Clerk to each attorney of record and to each
party not represented by an attorney of record and whose
address is shown on the docket or in the papers on file, as
provided in Rule 165a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure,
and the case shall thereafter be dismissed unless the case be
retained in accordance with said Rule 165a.
Rule 1.21.   Suspense Docket.
     If a case has been stayed because it has been abated for
any reason, or because a suggestion of bankruptcy proceedings
involving a party thereto has been received or for any other
reason, the Cause shall not be dismissed but shall be suspended
until it can be determined whether the Court may proceed on it.
The attorneys shall be responsible for notifying the court of
any change in the status of such case in order that it may be
expeditiously heard or dismissed.    If   no report is received
from the attorneys in charge or pro se parties within 12 months
after being placed in suspense, the Local Administrative Judge
may in.his or her discretion set the case for dismissal, either
at a regular dismissal docket, or at any other convenient time.
Rule 2.10.   Information to Local Administrative Judge.

     The District and County Clerks shall be responsible
individually to each and all the Judges and Local
Administrative Judge of the county for the accurate collection        t
and reporting of such information.as may be prescribed in
writing by the Regional Presiding Judge.     Each Judge will have

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              direct access to any such information and/or data collected at
              all reasonable times 1 Monday through Friday during work hours 1
              and the Clerk shall produce all such and deliver same to any
              Judge on request ..
              Rule 3.10.   Presentment of Pre-Trial Pleas and Motions.
                   At any time after answers are filed or a request for trial
              setting has been made 1 upon written request of any party or
              upon motion of any party or the Judge 1 a pre-trial hearing or
              conference shall be set.
                   ·At such pre-trial hearing or conference all parties shall
              present their exceptions 1 motions and dilatory pleas, including
              Motions in Limine for rulings by the Court.    Failure to present
              such exceptions, motions and pleas in a timely manner shall
              cause them to be waived.
                   Counsel and any pro se parties will be expected at
              pre-trial to advise the Court which issues will be disputed and
              will be expected to be familiar with authorities applicable to
              questions of law thereby raised 1   Counsel and pro se parties
              attending.the pre-trial conference shall be the person which is
              expected to try the case or shall be familiar with the case and
              fully authorized to state the parties' position on the law and
              facts 1 make stipulations and enter into settlement
              negotiations.   Should the Court find that counsel    lS   not so
              qualified, it may consider that no counsel has appeared and may
              take action against the party involved.

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Rule 3. 11.   Disposition of Motions and Other Preliminary
Matters.

     Preliminary matters which require a hearing by the court
may be disposed of either by hearing before the Court or upon
written authorities as counsel may forward to the Court,
following which the Court may rule without hearing.            Any party
is entitled to a hearing so long as the same is requested prior
to the time that the Court makes its. ruling.
     A pre-trial conference may be held at the request of the
Court or of the parties to the case.            If the pre·-trial
conference is set at the request of attorneys for the parties, .
it shall be held no later than ten            (10) days prior to the date
set for trial, unless the Court, upon timely request, orders
otherwise.    (Pre-trial conferences for criminal cases are
controlled by Chapter 28 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.)
Rule 3.12.    Motions for Severance.
     All motions to sever a:ce controlled by the provisions of
Rules 41 and 174, 'rexas Rules of civil Procedure, and such
rules will be strictly construed.            No severance will be granted
without notice and an opportunity for hearing afforded to all
parties.
     When a Motion to Sever is sustained, the severed claim
shall be filed as a new case in the same court .and shall be
given a new or suffix number or letter by the Clerk in whose
Court the case is pending.       The original case from which the

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           claim is severed shall retain the original number given it by
           the Clerk of the court.      Before the severed claim is filed as a
           new case, the Clerk's requirement concerning deposit for costs

           shall be met.
           Rule 3.13.     Motions for Continuance in Jury cases.
                No requests to pass, postpone or reset any jury trial
           shall be granted unless counsel for all parties have been
           notified and the Movant certifies that the client has been
           notified of the filing of the motion.     The motion    shall also
           contain the correct•name and address of each client represented
           by the Movant.     If the motion is granted, the client will be
           notified by the Clerk.
           Rule 3 .14.    Motions for Default Judgment.
                After the appearance date of the defendant in a case has
           passed, a written request for entry of a Default       ~fudgment   may
           be made, and a form of judgment presented, together· with any
           affidavits as to unliquidated parts of such claim.        If the
           parties desire a hearing for default judgment, the District
           Clerk should be contacted for appropriate time for setting, and
           where pertinent, these motions should be set on non-, jury
           dockets.      If a claim is liquidated and represented by documents
           filed, no hearing is necessary.     For unliquidated claims,
           affidavits or testimony may be made the basis for a judgment by
           the Court.     The use of affidavits in Default Judgment
           proceedings for unliquidated claims is encouraged.

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            Rule 3.17.    Motions for Referral of Disputes or Alternative
            Dispute Resolution Procedures.
                 The Court may, on its own motion or the motion of any
            party, refer a pending dispute for resolution by an alternative
            dispute resolution procedure provided for in Chapters 151, 152
            or 154 of the Texas civil Practice and Remedies Code.      Any
            party may, within ten {10) days after receiving notification of
            a referral, file a written objection which.sets forth a
            reasonable basis for the party's objection to referral and the
            same shall be forthwith set by the Judge for hearing and
            resolution.
            Rule 3.18;    Docket Control or Scheduling Conference.
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                 At any time after a case is filed, whether or not it has
            been classified as a complex case, a scheduling conference or
            docket control conference may be scheduled, upon the court's
            motion or upon request by any party.        At any time such
            conference is scheduled, the court in which the case is pending
            shall notify all attorneys of record of the date and hour at
            which the attorneys are to appear.     Upon Court approval the
            scheduling or docket control conference may be held by
            telephone conference call.      Any attorney requesting that the
            conference be held by telephone shall be responsible for
            arranging the conference call on the date and time scheduled by
            the Judge.
                 The docket control or scheduling conference shall. be

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           conducted informally, and shall be for the purpose of obtaining
           a date for trial to avoid conflicts in attorneys' schedules,
           determining the probable length of time required for a trial,
           determining whether or not a jury will be required, fixing
           deadlines for joinder of additional parties, completion of
           discovery, amendment of pleadings and filing all proposed jury
           questions.
                The Judge-·will direct one of the attorneys to prepare an
           order reciting any action taken or agreements reached at the
           scheduling conference, and such order when signed and entered,
           shall control the subsequent course of the action, ·unless later
           modified by the Court.
           Rule 3.19.    Pre-Trial Conferences.
                A pre-trial conference to determine the readiness of the
           parties for trial, the status of the fact issues to be
           presented in Court, stipulations of the parties, and any
           settlement negotiations shall be scheduled in the docket
           control or scheduling conference.      The hearing of the pre-trial
           conference may be by telephone conference call if requested by
           any attorney.    The Court may order such a pre-trial conference
           at any time pursuant to Rule 1.66, Texas Rules of Civil
           Procedure, even if there have been no docket control or
           scheduling conference.
           Rule 3.20.    Compliance with Conference Procedures.
                 (a)    All scheduling conferences and pre-trial conferences

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shall be attended by the attorney in charge, or by a co-counsel
who is familiar with the case and fully authorized to state his
party's position on the law and the facts, to make agreements
as to scheduling, to enter into stipulations, and to enter into
settlement negotiations.         Attorneys for all parties shall be
physically present at the scheduling confer. ence, unless
arrangements have been made for such conference to be held by
telephone •.
      (b) Each attorney shall bring a calendar in order to
arrange settings which do not conflict with any previous
engagements of counsel..        Under no circumstances may an attorney
be represented at any scheduling conference or pre-trial
conference, whether held by telephone or otherwise, by any
secretary or non- lawyer personnel.
      ( c} When counsel for either party fails to appear at a
pre-trial. or docket control conference after notice to appear,
the Court may:
              1..    Rule on all motions and exceptions in the absence
      of such counsel;
              2.     Declare any motions or exceptions of such absent
     party waived;
              3.     Advance or delay the trial setting according to
      convenience of the counsel present;
              4.     Pass and reset the hearing.
Rule 3. 21.         Non-compliance with Conference Rules.

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     When any attorney in charge for either party 1 after notice
and without good cause, . fails to appear for a docket control
scheduling or pre-trial conference or fails to be available for
any such conference by telephone, the Court may:
          1.   Make all scheduling decisions and rule on all
    motions, exceptions or other matters in the absence of
     such counsel;
          2.   Declare any motions or exceptions of absent party
    waived;
          3.   Advance or delay the trial setting or other such
     scheduling matters, or decline to set the case for
     trial, or cancel a setting previously made, according to
     the convenience of counsel present;
          4 ..Pass and reset the docket control scheduling or
    pre-trial conference, in which case the party represented
     shall be entitled to recover his reasonable attorney's
     fees and expenses;
          5.   Consider the absence of the attorney in charge as
     a contempt of court, and punish counsel accordingly.
     In situations where the Court determines that there is a.
suggestion of death, or information concerning bankruptcy
proceedings or reasons not to dismiss a case for want or
prosecution, or if it is necessary to abate the proceedings,
the cause may be held in suspense subject to later setting of
the case for trial when it becomes appropriate in accordance

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with Rule l. 21.
Rule 3. 22.    Discovery Motions.
        All counsel are expected to engage .in good faith
negotiations pursuant to the discovery and deposition rules of
the 'rexas Rules of Civil Procedure.    Requests for hearings on
motions for discovery, or for protection, or to quash or
requests for sanctions may be heard at any time, in any county
in which . the Judge having jurisdiction of the case can hear the
same.
        The Court expects attorneys served with written
interrogatories or requests for admission to answer the same
within the time specified unless the time within which to
answer has been extended or reduced by the Court or by
agreement of the parties.
Rule 3.23.     Settlements.
        All trial counsel are urged to make a bona fide effort to
settle cases before announcing ready for trial.      The Court will
expect counsel, before announcing ready, to confer with his
client and opposing counsel concerning settlement and to
recommend an offer which is in his professional opinion
reasonable, unless in his professional opinion the case is not
such as to justify any offer whatsoever.
        When an attorney settles or dismisses a case which is set
for trial, he shall give notice to the District Clerk of the
Court where pending as soon as possible and submit a written

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dismissal or judgment forthwith.   If the setting is
preferential 1 the Judge shall be immediately notified.
     'rhe Court will reserve the right to require the presence
of counsel and the parties at the time for which trial was set
if no documentary evidence of the settlement has been received
before the call of the docket.
Rule 3.24.   Conflicting Engagements of counsel.
     When a Motion for Continuance is made on the basis that
counsel already has a trial setting in another court 1 such
motion should state the number and style of the case and the
Court in which the attorney is scheduled and should state the
length of time required for hearing or trial.      The Court will
reserve the right to check the appearance of counsel is
necessary at such other Courts·.
     At docket control or scheduling conference 1 each attorney
shall be responsible for disclosing to the Judge any
conflicting engagements of counsel that may interfere with a
trial setting.   Tentative schedules in some other Court will
not be grounds for granting a continuance.   In the event the
case in the other Court is passed 1 continued or disposed of
prior to or during the week in which the case is set for trial
in these Courts 1 the attorney shall immediately notify the
Court and opposing counsel of such fact.
     The Judge shall make of record a note when the trial was
.set 1 such record to be either on a docket sheet or notice of

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setting.     In case of such conflicting settings, the Court whose
date of setting is the earliest shall have preference,    and
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other Courts shall yield to such prior setting; except that
criminal cases in all District courts shall have priority over
civil cases.
     In the event any of the above policies works an undue
hardship (e.g., where a subsequent setting involves multiple
parties and counsel, or where witnesses must appear from great
distances or other such hardship), the Judge of the court in
which the subsequent setting was made shall attempt to make
personal contact with the Judge of the Court of the prior
setting and make satisfactory arrangements for a deviation from
the policy herein announced.
     Nothing herein shall prevent any Court making a subsequent
setting from insisting upon a trial in the event the case in
the Court of the piror setting is settled, passed or otherwise
disposed of.
Rule 3.25.     Witnesses/Exhibits.
     Cases announced to be ready on the date of trial shall in
all respects be ready, with witnesses and other evidence
available so that the trial may proceed without delay and/or
intereference. When out of county witnesses are to be called,
the burden shall be on the party using such witnesses to have
them available.     Insofar as is possible, counsel for the party
shall pre-mark for identification all items to be introduced

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              into evidence and further shall notify the Court as to those
              items upon which counsel can agree may be admitted into
              evidence without objection.
                   In any case where a witness does not speak English, the
              attorney presenting such witness shall make provision for a
              properly qualified interpreter to be present at the time of
              such witness's testimony.     In criminal cases, if an attorney
              desires to request a court-appointed interpreter for his client
              or witness, request therefor shall be made at pre-trial hearing
              or earlier.
                   If a witness is not available as required by this rule,
              and if the absence of such witness does not require a
              continuance, the Court, in its discretion, may require counsel
              to present the missing witness out of order, may require use of
              a deposition in lieu of the witness, may submit the case to the
              jury without benefit of the witness's testimony or may make any
              other order which appears just to avoid delay of the trial.
              Rule 3.26.    Jury Voir Dire/Venire.
                   It shall be the duty and obligation of an attorney or pro
              se party calling a witness for any trial or hearing to have
              furnished to such witness a copy of the witness' instructions
              attached to these rules as Exhibit 1, and to have explained to
              the witness the conduct expected while testifying, with
              particular emphasis on the fact that the Court may impose
              sanctions for violations of "The Rule. "

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        In the counties of this District, jury questionnaire forms

are in use.     They are taken up immediately following
qualification of the panel and are used to prepare a list of

qualified jurors.     A copy is made available to each counsel or
pro se party.     Counsel or pro so party is expected not to
repeat during voir dire examination those matters set out in
the jury questionnaire.
        All juries will be selected on the first day of each jury
trial week beginning at the time posted.     After jury selection,
any case may be recessed to a time certain during the trial
week or a subsequent week.     Where more than one jury is to be
selected, counsel in all cases should be present at the entire
voir dire in order to refrain from repeating questions already-
asked of membe:cs of the jury panel on voir dire of a previous
case.

Rule 3.27.     Jury Charges and Motion in Limine.
        A jury charge, with special questions and instructions
that may be reasonably anticipated and all Motions in Limine
should be prepared and 'submitted to the Court at pre. -trial
hearingr or at least seven (7) days in advance o trial,
whichever is later.     The court will rule on the Motions in
Limine after the jury panel is qualified and before the voir
dire unless already ruled on at pre-trial.
Rule 4.10.     Family Law Cases.
        (a)   In all contested Family Law casesr it shall be the

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duty of each attorney to confer prior to the day of trial with
each other attorney regarding settlement 1        stipulations 1
estimated time of trial 1 waiver of jury 1 the extent 1
description 1 character and value of property in question 1
 .   .
amount of support 1 conservatorship 1 periods of possession
and/or access rights 1 duties and powers of the conservators 1
and contested issues.
         At any time after a divorce or other Family Law matter
shall have been filed 1 it may be set upon motion of the parties
or upon the Court's own motion after the minimum period
required by law for such settings.          If counsel for either party
is requesting a setting for trial 1 the request shall be in
writing and directed to the District Clerk 1 with a copy to
opposing counsel and any pro se parties.         Counsel shall consult
with client and opposing counsel prior to trial time and not
request time at the beginning of trial for consultations.
         (b)   In all cases requiring a division of property and/or
liabilities 1 the husband and wife shall each file with the
Court or upon written mutual agreement exchange between
themselves 1 sworn inventories.     Each inventory shall list the
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value of each item of property and shall list each liability 1
the number of periodic payments in arrears 1 if any 1 the
property securing its payments 1     and the name of the creditor.
Any property or liability claimed to be separate shall be so
characterized.

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      (c)   A Financial Information Sheet showing. the income and
expenses of each party shall be furnished to the Court and
opposing counsel not later than the commencement of hearing or
trial in which the payment of support or property rights will

be an issue.
      (d)   Each attorney shall submit a proposed property
division,   including property claimed or recognized as separate
property, to the Court and opposing counsel.
      (e)   The Court may refuse to hear any matter requiring a
division of property or adjudication of spousal or child
support if . the appropriate information required in
sub-paragraphs b, c and d have. not been filed or furnished at
least 7 days prior to a trial on the merits and at least 24
hours prior to a hearing on interim or temporary orders.
     If conservatorship of children is in dispute between the

parties in a Family J,aw case, the attorneys shall make every
effort to avoid a hostile and rancarous parade of witnesses
that will increase any bitterness remaining between them.       If

such matters can be settled by joint managing conservatorships
or conciliatory measures which will be for the best interest of
the child, these are to be preferred, unless there are real
grounds for the introduction of evidence of serious bodily or
mental harm to the children.
     With respect to child support, except for extremely
unusual circumstances, the same shall be governed by the

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provisions sections 14.05 1 14.051 1 14.052 1 14.054 1 14.055 1 and
14.057 1 Texas Family Code 1 as presently enacted or as hereafter
amended 1 unless the parties agree to other arrangements 1

approved by the Court.
     Possession of the child by the possessory      conservator or
the non-possessory     joint managing conservator shall be governed
by Sections 14.032 1 14.033 1 and 14.034 of the Texas Family Code
as presently enacted or as hereafter amended.     Counsel   . and
parties are urged to consider all alternatives which may be
needed during the minority of the child and the same be
addressed in the original divorce decree so as to avoid the
necessity for future court amendments and modifications.
     Child support payments are to be ordered withheld from the
obligor 1 s earnings. The name and address of the obligor's
employer must accompany any order for withholding from income·
for child support.
     At the conclusion of any trial on family law cases, the
appropriate BVS ·forms and information on child· (suit affecting
parent-child relationship forms} shall be filled out and a
decree prepared and presented to the Court forthwith.       Where
practical   a   decree should be presented at hearing;   if not, the
same should be presented within 10 days of final hearing.
     With respect to family law cases other than divorce the
Rules of Civil Procedure shall be followed as in other civil
cases.   Nothing shall interfere with the right of a Judge to

                             22

                             A-24
 \
,\\'   .
  '•

           recess a hearing, including juvenile hearings, at any stage of
           the proceeding where the parties are agreeable or when in the
           opinion of the Judge presiding in the case, the best interest
           of the child and of society shall be served.
                Most difficulty in the disposition of family law cases is
           due to inadequate preparation.     These rules comtemplate
           extensive communication and preparation by counsel and the
           client.   A case inadequately prepared will not be in compliance
           with these rules.    If it becomes apparent at any hearing that

           either party or his or her attorney have been willful or
           grossly negligent in properly      failing to prepare for such
           hearing then the Court may suspend the hearing, and impose
           sanctions against the offending party or his or her attorney by
           awarding reasonable attorney fees to the non-offending party,
           In assessing such attorney fees, the Court may hear additional
           evidence as to whether the fault for the lack of preparation
           lies with the client or the attorney 1 and if with the latter,
           the Court may assess such attorney fees against the attorney
           personally.
           Rule 5.10.    Liquidated Monetary Claims.
                A monetary claim represented by an instrument in writing
           or on open account supported by documentary evidence shall be
           presented without necessity of hearing, provided that
           affidavits with respect to attorney fees or other supporting
           documents are presented to the Court at the time of request for

                                       23

                                       A-25
t .

      judgment.      Such requests may be made accompanied by appropriate
      judgment for the amount in controversy, pre-judgment interest,
      attorney fees, post-judgment interest and costs.
      Rule 6.10.     Felony Cases.
                     FEE SCHEDULE FOR COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY
      a)   Trial Services:
             i.   A court-appointed attorney will be compensated on a
                  "Fixed Fee Basis" as hereinafter set forth unless said
                  attorney submits an itemized, documented and verified
                  claim for payment on the "Rate Basis" before the
                  conclusion of the final hearing on the case.
            ii.   A court-appointed attorney representing a defendant in
                  multiple cases who is compensated on a "Fixed Fee
                  Basis" will be paid 100% of the fixed. fee for the
                  primary case and an amount determined by the judge not
                  to exceed 2 % of the fixed.fee for each additional
                  case.
           iii.    When a dismissal occurs prior to a trial docket
                   appearance, the court-appointed attorney will be
                   paid only on the rate basis.
            iv.    When a defendant's charge is enhanced, counsel will be
                   paid at the level to which the punishment in the case
                   is raised.

      b)    Fixed Fee Basis:
                       Type of Case               TRIAL      MTRP/MTAG

                     lst Degree Felony             175.00        125.00
                  (Guilty Plea/Plea of True)
                         Other Felony              1 0.00        100.00
                  (Guilty Plea/Plea of True)
                     1st Degree Felony             400.00        175.00
                          (Trial) .
                        Other Felony               300.00        1 0.00
                           (Trial)

                                       24

                                       A-26
             Captial First Chair           3,000.00

             Capital Second Chair          1,000.00

c)   Rate Basis:
       i.   "In-Court Time" means time actually spent in the
             Courtroom.
     ii.    "Out-of-Court 1'ime" means reasonable and necessary
             time for conferences, negotiations and trial
             preparation.

     iii.   Normally, only the minimum hourly rate will be
            approved except in extraordinary circumstances.

      iv.   Hourly Ra·tes for In-Court Time:

                   Type of Case                RATE/HR.
                                               MIN-MAX        MAX/DAY

                1st Degree Felony              30 -     40     150.00

                       Other Felony            30 - 40         150.00

               Captial First Chair             30 - 40         300.00

               Captial Second Chair            30 - 40         300.00

       v.   Hourly Rates for Out-of-Court Time:

                                               ·RATE/HR.      TOTAL
                   Type of Case                MIN-MAX        HOURS

                 lst Degree Felony             20 - 30          25

                       Other Felony            20   -   30      20

                Capital First Chair.           30 - 40          60

                Capital Second Chair           20 ·- 30           60

      d)    Appellate Services:
            i. Appeals will be paid only on a fixed fee basis as
            follows:

                                  25

                                  A-27
              Type of case              Brief   Argument    Total
              Death sentence            1,000     500       1,500
              Felony                      800     200       1,000

     ii.   Petitions for Discretionary Review and Replies thereto
           will be paid on a fixed fee basis as follows:
               Filing             150
               Argument           300

e)   Habeas Corpus matters will be paid at one-half of the
     above-mentioned rates.

Rule 7 .10.    Jury Management.
      All of the trial Judges in each county of the district
shall adopt a jury plan governing the selection, management,
assignment and time of jury service, whether out of the jury
wheel or by computer.
      When jury panels are selected and notice of the time to
report for hearing is mailed to them at the same time a juror
information form shall be forwarded to them, such jury
information form shall be of uniform design and shall be
adopted and used to obtain basic information about the
background of jurors on the general venire.      Each juror shall
be instructed to return the form to Court and have the same
used by the attorneys in selection.
       During all weeks in which criminal cases are set, juries
will be summoned at such dates and time as ordered by the

                               26.

                               A-28
presiding Judge, and will be subject to assignment during the
week called.
Rule 8 .10.    ,Judicial Vacation.
     Judicial vacations and educational events will be
scheduled in advance, insofar as is possible, by each judge
with the concurrence of the Local Administrative Judge, and
notice thereof given to the District Clerk of the counties
where the judge is scheduled to sit, along with the names of
the judges, if any, who will be substituting for the absent
judge.
Rule 9.10.     Non-Judicial Personnel.
     'l'he Local Administrative Judge of the county shall be
responsible for all administrative matters peculiar to the
Courts   (as distinguished   from judicial matters) .   He may assign
or delegate any administrative task to the other judges who
shall be responsible for the prompt completion of the task.
The Local Administrative Judge shall periodically review case
flow procedures and other administrative matters and recommend
necessary changes to the Judges of the District Courts and
County Judges.
      Each ,Judge of a court shall control the employees of that
court, and those assigned to attend to the functions of that
court.   The qualifications for court employees shall be those
required by statute, by approved job description, or in
official joint court order.        Each Judge shall be responsible

                              27

                              A-29
for requiring quality performance by those non-judicial
personnel employed by such Judge.        While those   non~judicial

personnel hired by each Judge are primarily responsible to such
Judge, it is understood all such employees are to cooperate
with the other Judges and    non~judicial    personnel to the end
that all court proceedings are conducted in an efficient, fair
and courteous manner with due regard for the time, comfort and
sensitivities of the parties, their counsel, witnesses, jurors
and potential jurors.     They likewise shall be expected to
assume additional duties during periods of vacation, illness
and personal emergencies of other non-judicial personnel.          Any
failure of a non-judicial employee to meet the expected
standard required of this rule as observed by another Judge or
fellow employee shall be reported to the responsible Judge, and
that Judge shall take such corrective measure as deemed
appropriate by that Judge.        If the failure   of proper
performance reoccurs or continues, the matter shall be
referred to the Local Administrative Judge.         Non~judicial

personnel shall observe the standards of decorum and conduct
required of Judges by the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Rule 10.10.   Attorneys   ~Attorney    Vacations.
     In civil cases not specially set, an attorney may not be
put to trial for a period not to exceed four (4) consecutive
weeks of a given year if he has in writing filed with the
. appropriate Clerk of the County of his residence, with a copy

                             28

                             A-30
to the appropriate Clerk in the other counties where he has
pending cases, at least sixty       (60) days in advance,   notice of
his vacation period.     At his discretion a Judge may recognize
another time for the designated vacation period.
Rule 1.0 .11.   Appearance of Counsel, etc.
      Each party shall designate upon filing of each case and
each party at the time of answering or appearing therein shall
designate one attorney as Lead Counsel for each such party.
Lead Counsel shall be responsible for all Docket Calls, all
other proceedings and the trial of the case.       When a litigant
is represented by a firm oflawyers or more than one lawyer,
one counsel must be designated on the pleadings and on the
requests for settings and all other documents filed as Leading
Counsel or, Counsel in Charge.      Should Counsel fail or refuse
to indicate who such counsel is on the pleadings, then it shall
not be grounds ·for continuance or the passing of the case that
such Counsel is sick or out of the city or otherwise engaged.
By "Leading Counsel" or "Counsel in Charge" is meant the
counsel who is expected to take the lead for that litigant in
the trial of the case.
      If the same attorney is called to trial simultaneously in
different Courts, then the case on which the earlier setting
was made shall take preference over the case having the later
setting, except at the discretion of the court.       All
applications for continuance or postponement of trial or

                             29

                             A-31
pre-trial hearing because counsel has another setting in a
different court must show the date the setting was made in the
other court.
     The fact that such Lead Counsel or Counsel is engaged in
matters pertaining to any other case shall be grounds for no
more than one motion for continuance.
     In criminal cases all defendants and their attorneys must
be personally present in court during arraignment or pre-trial
hearings.      Attorneys are required to notify the office of the
Judge and of the Clerk that they are employed in the case in
writing.     If such retainer notice is not· given to the Clerk
prior to the dates of hearing, pre-trial hearing, arraignment
or trial, the Court may make an appointment from among the
attorneys available to the Court for appointment and the client
may be required to pay for such services and substitution of
retained counsel who failed to notify the Court of retention
may only be permitted by leave of the Court.
Rule 10 .12.     Attorney Withdrawal.
     In civil cases, withdrawal for an attorney may be affected
only as provided in Rule 10 of the Texas Rules of Civil
Procedure.     If known,   the withdrawing attorney shall furnish to
the Clerk the current mailing address of the client where there
is no :immediate substitution of counsel.
     In criminal cases, an attorney who has entered an
appearance and became counsel of record by being retained by

                               30

                              A-32
the defendant or his family, by signing a bail bond, or by
appointment of the Court, may not withdraw as counsel of record
except upon leave of Court after a motion in writing and, if
required by the Court, a hearing thereon.
     If leave is granted, the Clerk shall notify the party of
such action and advise the party of any trial settings and that
he may secure other counsel.
Rule 10. 13.   Conduct/Decorum of Counsel.
     Each day the Court is engaged in hearing a matter,          the
Court shall be opened by the Bailiff or Clerk directing all
Court officials and spectators to their seats.
     All officers of the Court, except the Judge and jurors,
and all other participants,         except witnesses who have been
placed under the Rule,   shall promptly enter the courtroom
before the scheduled time for each Court session.         When   the
Bailiff or Clerk calls the Court to order the following order
shall be observed.
      In the courtroom there shall be:
      (a)   No tobacco used;
      (b)   No chewing gum used by a witness or by any attorney
            while interrogating a witness or addressing the Judge
            or jury;
      (c)   No reading of newspapers;
      (d)   No bottles, cups, or beverage containers except
            water pitchers and cups or as otherwise permitted by

                               31

                               A-33
           the Judge;
     (e)   No edibles;
     (f)   No propping of feet on tables or chairs;
     (g)   No noise or talking which interferes with the court
           procedure;
     (h)   No riffling through papers or exhibits in such a
           manner as may distract the jury, the Judge, or the
           witness.
     The Judge, the attorneys,    and other officers of the Court
will refer to and address other court officers, witnesses,    the
jury and other participants in the proceedings respectfully and
impersonally, by using appropriate titles and surnames rather
than first names.
     The oath will be administered in a ·manner calculated to
impress the witness with the importance and solemnity of the
promise to adhere to the truth.
     All officers of the Court shall dress appropriately for
court sessions.
     Attorneys should observe the letter and spirit of the
Texas Lawyers' Creed and the Texas Disciplinary Rules of
Professional Conduct, as adopted by the supreme Court of Texas,
specifically including those dealing with discussion of cases
with representatives of the media and those concerning improper
ex parte communications with the Judge.     (A copy of the
Lawyers' Creed is attached as Exhibit 2.)

                           32

                           A-34
     Attorneys should advise their clients and witnesses of
this rule and advise them that they are expected to abide by
the rule the same as the ,Judge, the attorney, and court
personnel.
     All objections, arguments, and other comments by counsel
shall be directed to the Judge and not to opposing counsel.
The jury shall be directly addressed by counsel only in opening
statements and formal summations.
     While another · attorney is addressing the Judge or jury 1 an
attorney should not stand for any purpose except to claim the
right to interrupt the attorney who is speaking.
     Attorneys should not approach the bench without leave of
the Court and must never lean on the bench.
     Attorneys shall remain seated at the counsel tables at all
times except:
      (a) when the Judge enters and leaves;
      (b) when addressing the Judge or jury; and,
      (c) whenever it may be proper to handle documents,
             exhibits, or other evidence.   (Leave of Court is not
             required.)
     Attorneys should anticipate any need to move furniture,
T.V. monitors,    appliances or easels and should make advance
arrangements with the Bailiff,     Tables should not be moved
during court sessions.
     In addressing the jury, attorneys should use the lectern

                             33

                            A-35
or remain at or near the jury box, and not move about the
courtroom or sit in the witness chair.

     Formal Opening of court. Immediately before the
scheduled time for the beginning of court sessions, the Bailiff
shall direct all court officers and spectators to their seats
and shall bring order.    As the Judge enters the courtroom, the
Bailiff shall state, "Everyone please rise.   11   While everyone is
still standing he shall make an appropriate announcement such
as, "The_______Court is now in session, the Honorable

-----~-----'          Judge Presiding."    If the Judge does not
seat the persons assembled, the Bailiff will then say, "Be
seated please."
Rule 11.    Local Administration.
     Election of the Local Administrative District Judge:
      (a)   Subject to Section 74.091 of the Texas Government
Code, a majority of the District Judges of the County will
prescribe the term of office of the Local Administrative
District Judge.
     The local Administrative District Judge will have duties
and the responsibility for attending to emergency and special
matters of the District Courts pursuant to Rules of Judicial
Administration.
      (b)   MENTAL HEALTH/DRUG/ALCOHOLIC COMMI'rMENT AND PRISONERS
WI'rHOUT CHARGES .
     Subject to modification and without waiving their

                            34

                            A-36
respective jurisdiction 1 the Judges shall assume responsibility
in emergency and. special matters pursuant to Rule lOd of the
Rules of Judicial Administration.
Rule 12.11. ·Powers and Duti(!s of Local Administrative
District Judge.
     The Local Administrative District Judge shall see that
each court has the assistance of any other Judges who may be
available for assignment and that the conduct of business is
efficiently and fairly distributed to each person having
jurisdiction.
     The Local Administrative District Judge shall call
meetings of the District Judges of the districts at regular
intervals as needed 1 at a time when all Judges can be
available.   The Local Administrative District Judge of a county
shall preside over such meetings.     If the duly elected Local
Administrative Judge be disabled 1 absent for more than two
weeks 1 or in the event of a compelling emergency 1 the remaining
District Judges of the District may name a temporary
Administrative Judge to serve only until the returning of the
duly elected Administrative District Judge.
     The Judges of the District Courts may meet with the County
Courts or any other persons responsible for the efficient
administration of justice and make rules and orders relative
to
             (a)   Docket management of the local courts;

                             35

                             A-37
     {b)    Regular meetings to address the matters set forth in
            the above rules;
     (c)    Judicial budget matters;
     (d)    Adult and juvenile probation matters;
     {e)    County Auditor matters;
     (f)    County purchaising matters;
      (g)   Meeting and relationships with other governmental
            bodies, the public, and the news media;
     (h)    Such other matters necessary to provide for the
            orderly, prompt,    efficent, and effective
            administration of justice in the county;
     (i)    Court reporters and timely preparation of records;
            and
      (j)   Dismissals for want of prosecution pursuant to the
            law applicable thereto.
     Court Business, Inherent Powers and Authority. Pursuant
to the Supreme court Rules of Judicial Administration and Rule
3a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure the Judges will, as
necessary, from time to time make rules pursuant to Rule 9b,
Supreme Court Rules of Judicial Administration.
Rule 13.00.   Miscellaneous Local Rules,
Rule 13.10.   Attorneys Ad Litem.
     Any Judge may appoint Attorneys Ad Litem upon request by a
party or on the Court's own motion.       The request may not be
made by any person interested in being appointed.         Unless there

                               36

                               A-38
{

    I•

         i.s a showing of good cause,          such appointments must be made at

         least one     (1) day before the Court takes any action on the

         merits of the case.

         Rule 13.10.

              Except for good cause shown, all orders and judgments must

         be submitted to the Court for entry within seven            (7) days from

         the date of the hearing or decision by the Court.           All

         judgments and/or orders in uncontested matters            (excluding cases

         which are settled on the day of trial) must be presented           at the

         time of hearing on such uncontested matters.

              All final judgments which are not approved by all counsel
         or opposing parties who appeared before the Court shall be

         fo Narded to the Court, a copy shall be mailed to all opposing

         counsel or unrepresented parties by · the party preparing the

         judgment; said judgment shall be held in the Judge's chambers

         for five     (5} to ten   (10) days, and i f no objection to the

         Judgment is filed, i t will then be signed by the Court without

         a hearing on entry of judgment.          Any objections   to the judgment

         must include a form of order setting a hearing on the

         objection.

              Photography or Recording in the Courtroom.

              The use in the courtroom of cameras,          tape recorders or

         recording devices of any kind, except by the court Reporter,

         will not be permitted.

                                          37

                                   A-39
                                                         I   ,~   •'

                             CONCLUSION
    Nothing herein provided shall be construed to modify or
supersede any provision of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure,
the Texas Code of Criminal: Procedure, the Rules ofthe state Bar
of Texas, or any statute of Texas, nor do the foregoing rules
apply to the manner of obtaining extraordinary relief that may
not be practicably handled in accordance with these rul.es.
     SIGNED AND ORDERED PROMULGATED ON THIS THE   //~   day of
            ·.:yu iJ (;r

                                                                       ... _....--·---

                                  38

                           A-40
                      PRE-TRIAL ORDElUN CASE SUBJECT TO DISMISSAL.

     This case is set for trial on the merits on -------~---at 9:00 a.m. and will

     not he continued from that trial setting except by written -order of the Court.

     All new parties shall be joined b y - - - - - - - - - - -

     All amended pleadings shall be filed by

     All depositions shall be completed by--------~--

     All other discovery shall be completed b y · - - - - - - - - - -

     All responses or supplemental responses to discovery shall be completed by-------··.

     Signed this the---~·- day of             _ _ _ _ _ _., 1998 .

..
                                                             Jndge PresidiQg

     Attorney for                                           Attorney for

                                                        1
                                              Exhibit       C'

                                                    A-41
'.   ...
     ,                                 WITN~SS        INSTRUCTIONS                                       ',,
                                                 ,.                                         '   ·:   '

           (l)    Seat yourself comfortably and adjust the position of tne
                  chair where your_voice ·will be amplified by the public
                  address system .
         . (2)    Make a verbal response to questions, rather than nodding
                  or shaking .Your head.
           (3)    Do not use "uh-huh" or "huh-uh" as .answers.            In written

           (4)    When an.actorney stands up, it is for the purpose of addressing
                  the Court, therefore, please do not speak until after the
                  Coux-t has ruled on the objection,           .X£ an obj ecti.on is
                  s4stained, please wait until a new question is posed,                If
                  the objection is overruled, you may answer the question
                  which was asked before the objection,
           (5)    -Answer the questions which are asked and do not volunteer
                  information which is not: responsive to the question you
                  are answering.      If the attorney wants additional information,·
                  other   que~tions   will be asked.
         · (6)    Wa';l.t until the attor..;ey completes thEl question before you
                  begin answering,     The Court Reporter cannot take down two
                  voices at once.
           (7)"   I:t; the rule has been invoked in this case, ·you ·are instructed ·
                  that you must remain outside ·the. courtroom except when you are
                  tes-tifying.   YoU: are not to converse with the other witne'sses
                  or any other person ab?ut the case 1 .other than the attorneys in
                  .the case, except by permission of the c;ou.rt, and you are not to
                  rea~   any_repox-t or comment upon the testimony         in   the case until
                  the case has been concluded.
                                            EXHIBI1! 1

                                                      A-42
                 ORJJEROF                                                 The Supreme Court of Toe:ms !md 'the Coon .of                         The Court of Criminal Appeals
       )'HESUPREl'I1EC01JRTOFTEXAS                                     Crhnilnl Appl21s hereby promulgate: :m.d ndopt Wfhe
     ,_            Ju~                                                 'rexss Lawye~s Creed- A Mandate for Profes-
                                                                       .siom~lism." as a~ed heretoandmru:lea pmt:hereof.
     THE COUIU' OF CRIMJNAL APPEALS                                                                                                                                                                                           -

                                                                                                                                                                                                         " ~l~,.,~.,
                                                                                                                                                                                                   '.1~("~mEo
                                                                          ln. Clwmbl!!'f, this 7rh day .ofNcvanb.!r, 1989.
     ThecOorltltt of a lawyer sbcu!d be cbllr.l.cterized :u:                                                                                                                       jUdge
 :Ill times by hon.c:sty, cando~; at1d fairness. ln fulfill~
 ing !:is or her priraary d'nl:y to a client. a Ln.wyeriDllSt
 b~ c:ver mindful oftheprcfessio.~ 's bro:zrlc:rduty ro tbe
                                                                                  The Supreme Court ofTexas
                                                                                                                                                                                           r
 Jegalsyst~                                                                                                                                                                                        l:ik)          :                            >I
    The Supreme Goun of Te;o:as :r.nd the Court of
 Criminal Appeals are committed to eliminating a
 pmeticec in our Stnte by tl minority of lawyers of
 zbusivc: tactics wbicll have surfaced in roao.y parts of
                                                                                                                                    sa!ll

                                                                                                                                    M.a1:VIo
                                                                                                                                            HoustOn--CHi"'ton-; JUdge

                                                                                                                                               5~   Teague, Judqe
                                                                                                                                                                                                  \ ~
                                                                                                                                                                                                    ~~"'-·~
                                                                                                                                                                                                       "'
                                                                                                                                                                                                            ...
                                                                                                                                                                                                          .A'
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      .
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          •
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  '
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      .,--!_..::
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ·'"'
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   N

 ollr country. We belh:ve s.u::h cactk:s ::~rea disservice ·
 tQ Ol.lr   citizens, h:.rm.-itl to cliet'!m, :~nd de:me::.uri.ng ro
 n9r profession.

   The :~.busive caetics t:mge from l:tck of eivHil:)' to
                                                                                                                                                                                            TEETEXASLAWYER'SCREED-
 o\1trlgbt hosDiicy ::~nd obstructlonism. Such behavior                                                                                                                         JUdg.e     AMANDATEFOR PROFESSIONA:iJSl>l
does not serve jusriee but tends to ddrxy-:tnd often deny
JUStice. The \t~.wye:s who use ;bustve uctics, inst~d
.:>fbt:iog part of lhe SI)\Utkm.• h:we become p:u-. of the
 ~roblcm.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           PROMULGATEDBY=l.i·
                                                                                                                                                                                                THE SUl'REl>fE COUltT OFTE..'(AS
    The desire for respect t.nd confidence by l'av.ryers                                                                                                                                                      AND        .                                     I
 from the public shoUld provide lhe members of our                                                                                                                                             TB:ECOURTOFCRThllNAL;.:PPEAI.S
 rrbfessfOn wfth. th.e tltcessary incentive tO :rtnafu the
 highest -degree of ethlcal and professional eonducr..                                                                                                                                                                                                 .   -   I
 Tm::se rules are primarily :!Spirntion3l. Compliance                                                                                                                                                                                                          I
.whh the rules ii'!:pends primarily upon undersxanding
 :md voluocary compliant:t::, SeCondarily upon re.-
 .!nf;:m:cment by p--..u ptOSSUre'2nd public opinion. :n'!d
 nnally when Oe=$Sru')' by .::oforcanent by the eouns
 mrough !.heir inh=rcnt pow~rs aM rules alrwl.y in
 .::!dstence..

     1'ht:SC SWldards are not a set of roles th:o1t lav,.yetS-                                                                                                                                     Pltl.NU:P AND DJ.STR.I:B.U!.Etl
        use. :illld abuse to: incite :).ncUhr.cy litigation or
 t!!l.tr.                                                                                                                                                                                                   cot~YOF
 :l.l'guments over wbetb.Cl" or not they. bave ~en                                                                                                                                                   TEXAS BAR FOUND A'II ON
 obset"''ed.                                                                                                                                                                                                     Alei:l:~: ~tc. r
~~dDaitisriJ}tr..                                                                                                                                                                                         Y.")'<ciR J..llld lt.l& pw'Oid·
   Alaw!ttowet.,J:!'Jcadmi~o(j.l:sD:e:per­                     10 d~ wlle:cher tG ;tml[ ~ to                                                   10. [-will no<. wilhoutzeod ~:mribu:r.ebi.d.
 ~dipity.. ~.~~-At::l.'w)'er                                   OWQSia!:~mel m:an ~ thm.do IIO( ad.~ly                                    mod\'c::l:otuncttlietl-cooduccto~:!~liOr
 :sbookt at'JQ)'S tr::b::rc.   10 cbe   hip:a:   p~ c{                                                                                                                                                         1. lwillU~~f:h-.!ll.t~Gi
                                                               affecc: ret)' t:riz::a:.•:s Ia.wM objectives. A clicut. .b:ls DO          brint me profc:WC.r:.,mto disrepute by =f()Ut)lkd                       u.               «
                                                                                                                                                                                                         j..ldJc the :symbol boili me jodici:d.1~ w
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