Bell County Bar Association News

Please see attached memo from Judge Darby regarding an updated UD Policy for District Courts.

UD Policy.pdf

Below is the Revised Standing Order for District Courts in Bell County that goes into effect June 1, 2024.

REVISED BELL COUNTY STANDING ORDER 6124.pdf

Below are the new filing fees and service fees for Bell County District Clerk's office that go into effect January 1, 2024.

2024 DC Fee sheet.pdf

2024 Request for Service.pdf

Please see attached letter from Shelley Coston regarding HB 4123 on Guardianship cases that is effective immediately.

Guardianship Cases.HB4123.pdf

Below is a message from Judge Jones regarding the Attorney ad Litem lists for Bell County.

On July 1, 2022 the Bell County District Courts will begin to utilize new lists of ad litem appointments for the following categories:

• Civil cases
• Family law cases
• Real estate cases
• Friendly suit guardian ad litems
• Family law guardian ad litems

The requirements for those positions and applications to be on the lists can be found on the Bell County website under the heading “District Courts”.

If you are already on a list and wish to continue, it will be necessary to submit a new application to verify your qualifications.

Jack Jones

146^th District Court Judge

Local Administrative District Judge

Bell County, Texas

Please join us for our annual Spring Bench Bar Conference on March 24th.

Below is the flyer with the topics/speakers.

Cindi Parker

2022 Spring Bench Bar Flyer.pdf

Due to forecasted weather conditions that may present hazardous road conditions overnight and into the early morning, I am authorizing a delayed opening until 11:00 am for county offices tomorrow, Thursday, February 24^th.

THIS INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED FROM JUDGE BLACKBURN

Below are the new Criminal Court Procedures for District Court effective 2-28-22.

All hearings will be IN PERSON (unless previously approved by the Court).

Incarcerated defendants/parties will continue to appear by video from the jail.

 27th District Court schedule will be as follows:

• 8:45am - Docket Call (Announcement / Arraignment / Pretrial / Plea without e-filed paperwork / Jury Trial Docket Call)

• 9:15am - Scheduled hearings (Plea with e-filed paperwork, Sentencing, Status Hearings / Special Hearings / Jury Trials)

• Jury Trial: March 21st

 264th District Court schedule will be as follows:

• 9:00am - Docket Call (Announcement / Arraignment / Pretrial / Plea without e-filed paperwork / Jury Trial Docket Call)

• 9:15am - Scheduled hearings (Plea with e-filed paperwork, Sentencing, Status Hearings / Special Hearings / Jury Trials)

• Jury Trial: March 7th

 426th District Court schedule will be as follows:

• 8:30am - Docket Call (Announcement / Arraignment / Pretrial / Plea without e-filed paperwork / Jury Trial Docket Call)

• 9:15am - Scheduled hearings (Plea with e-filed paperwork, Sentencing, Status Hearings / Special Hearings / Jury Trials)

• Jury Trial: February 28th (2nd on list for March 7th and March 21st)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Plea paperwork is required to be e-filed prior to receiving a scheduled hearing.

• Agreed announcements can still be sent by e-mail. The AGREED announcement deadline is NOON the business day before the hearing. If announcements are not submitted by deadline the attorney and defendant are required to appear for docket call.

**Attorneys to speak first and then send ONE agreed e-mail to the Court**

• Jury selection will be held in the 146th District Courtroom.

See attached Administrative Order issued by Judge Jones.

Administrative Order (dated 2-7-2022).pdf

Cindi Parker

Executive Director

All Bell County offices will be closed Friday, February 4th due to inclement weather.

Cindi Parker

Executive Director