Court Rules and Procedures

Children
No young children are allowed in Court.

No food or beverages allowed in Court.

Faxes and E-mail
The Court will accept faxed Letters of Representation.  Attorney vacation/CLE letters may be sent via fax or email to the Court Coordinator at  CDYoung2@tarrantcounty.com 

Ex Parte Communications
All inquiries concerning motions and other court business should be directed to the court coordinator. Judges are prohibited from communicating about cases with the litigants or their attorneys unless both sides are present. Judge Vanover will not accept phone calls from litigants.

Dress Code
Appropriate business attire for attorneys and their staff is required. NO ONE may do business with the Court wearing cutoffs, shorts, tank tops, swimwear, obscenity on clothing, halter tops, miniskirts, or shirts revealing the midriff.  No hats or sunglasses.  Shirts shall be appropriately buttoned. Attorneys are responsible for informing their clients of the Court's dress code.

Cell Phones
All mobile phones and pagers must be turned off while in court. Violators may be fined or removed from the courtroom or the device may be confiscated.

Appointment of Attorneys
The Office of Attorney Appointments handles most attorney appointments and manages the appointment wheel. If the judge finds good cause, in accordance with state indigence guidelines, to appoint an attorney to a case, he will only appoint off of this approved list. Defendants are generally required to reimburse the county for the fees of court appointed counsel. 

In-Custody Defendants
The court does not automatically pull In-Custody Defendants from the jail for a setting.  The Court also does not pull In-Custody Defendants for Attorney Consultations.  If you have an In-Custody Defendant that you need brought to court for a Plea or Hearing, the court needs at least one working day's notice.