Rule 6 Time Standards for the Disposition of Cases; Time Reporting

Rule 6.1 District, Statutory County, and Business Courts.

District, statutory county, and business court judges should, so far as reasonably possible, ensure that all cases are brought to trial or final disposition in conformity with the following time standards:

(a) Civil Cases Other Than Family Law.

(1) Civil Jury Cases. Within 18 months from appearance date.

(2) Civil Nonjury Cases. Within 12 months from appearance date.

(b) Family Law Cases.

(1) Contested Family Law Cases. Within 6 months from appearance date or within 6 months from the expiration of the waiting period provided by the Family Code where such is required, whichever is later.

(2) Uncontested Family Law Cases. Within 3 months from appearance date or within 3 months from the expiration of the waiting period provided by the Family Code where such is required, whichever is later.

(c) Juvenile Cases. In addition to the requirements of Title 3, Texas Family Code:

(1) Detention Hearings. On the next business day following admission to any detention facility.

(2) Adjudicatory or Transfer (Waiver) Hearings.

(a) Concerning a juvenile in a detention facility: Not later than 10 days following admission to such a facility, except for good cause shown of record.

(b) Concerning a juvenile not in a detention facility: Not later than 30 days following the filing of the petition, except for good cause shown of record.

(3) Disposition Hearing. Not later than 15 days following the adjudicatory hearing. The court may grant additional time in exceptional cases that require more complex evaluation.

(4) Nothing herein shall prevent a judge from recessing a juvenile hearing 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 interests of the child and of society shall be served.

(d) Complex Cases. It is recognized that in especially complex cases or special circumstances it may not be possible to adhere to these standards.

Rule 6.2 Appeals in Certain Cases Involving the Parent-Child Relationship and From Orders Certifying a Juvenile to Stand Trial as an Adult.

In an appeal of a suit for termination of the parent-child relationship or a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity for managing conservatorship, or an appeal from an order under Family Code section 54.02 certifying a juvenile to stand trial as an adult, appellate courts should, so far as reasonably possible, ensure that the appeal is brought to final disposition in conformity with the following time standards:

(a) Courts of Appeals. Within 180 days of the date the notice of appeal is filed.

(b) Supreme Court. Within 180 days of the date the petition for review is filed.

Rule 6.3 District Court Time Reporting.

(a) Other Judicial Duties Defined. “Other judicial duties” as used in this rule includes:

(1) performing case-related duties, such as reviewing court filings and evidence, conducting legal research, drafting orders and opinions, and presiding over court proceedings not at the courthouse or another court facility;

(2) being assigned as “on call” to handle emergency matters, such as warrant reviews and magistration;

(3) performing administrative tasks, such as meeting with other judges regarding court procedures and business, preparing for such meetings, reviewing and drafting local rules, drafting policies, supervising staff and other judges, exercising appointment powers, responding to Rule 12 requests, serving as a judicial mentor, timekeeping and other reporting, and reviewing court metrics and data;

(4) completing, preparing for, or presenting continuing education;

(5) participating in activities to improve the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice;

(6) completing forms required for those who hold judicial office, such as financial disclosure forms and filing forms;

(7) any duties of the judge’s office prescribed by law, rule, or other court order; and

(8) travel necessary to preside over court at the courthouse or another court facility or to perform other judicial duties, beyond the judge’s ordinary commute to and from the courthouse.

(b) Required Statement. A district court judge must electronically attest to the following statement sent to the judge’s Regional Presiding Judge and the Office of Court Administration in a manner specified by the Office:

“In the past 6 months, I spent approximately _____ hours presiding over court at the courthouse or another court facility and approximately ______ hours performing other judicial duties.”

(c) Deadline. The judge must submit the statement by:

(1) July 20, for the period from January 1 to June 30; and

(2) January 20, for the period from July 1 to December 31.

(d) Supporting Documentation. This rule does not require submission of supporting documentation. Any supporting documentation is not subject to disclosure under Rule 12.

(e) Penalty. The submission of false information under this rule violates Canon 4(I)(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.