Attorney Information

Details
Category: COUNTY COURTS AT LAW
Written by Raul Villalobos

ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Filing
All documents for both courts at law must be filed with the Victoria County Clerk’s office.  Filing may be made by mail, e-filing or in person. Faxed filings are not authorized. Cases are randomly assigned to each court.  For more information, please contact the Victoria County Clerk’s office at 361-575-1478.

Scheduling Information
The courts at law does not have a court coordinator.  To schedule a case for a hearing or for a trial, please contact the Victoria County Clerk’s office at 361-575-1478.

Courts’ Calendars
(Coming Soon!)

Local Rules
The Courts at Law do not have formal local rules.

Helpful Information
Court dockets are usually held on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning at 9:00am. Motions are heard on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 am on non-jury weeks. If you need a special setting, please contact the Victoria County Clerk. 

If you are scheduled for court in another county and will be late attending court in Victoria, please contact the clerk of the court at 361-575-1478 and let them know approximately what time you expect to appear.  You cannot call on the date of the hearing and ask for a continuance.  Such request will be denied.  You may not fax a motion for continuance as Victoria County does not have an authorized fax filing procedure. 

The Courts at Law do have a dress code. Please review the requirements with your clients.

Information about Criminal Cases
All fines and court costs assessed in criminal cases are payable instanter to the Victoria County Collections Department.  Any questions concerning payment of fines and costs should be directed to that department at 361-582-5834.

All jury trials should be scheduled by requesting a jury trial scheduling order.  Each case set for jury trial will be set for a mandatory pre-trial hearing.  All pre-trial motions including motions in limine must be filed seven days prior to the pre-trial hearing.  Once an announcement of ready is made, no plea bargains will be accepted.  Cases will not be continued from the jury trial setting without a hearing on a motion for continuance filed prior to the pre-trial hearing deadline.

 Arraignments are scheduled each Friday at 9:00 am for all defendants out on bond.  Those defendants in custody are arraigned each day at 11:00 am.  If you wish to waive arraignment for your client, please file a waiver of arraignment with the clerk of the court. 

Compensation for court appointed attorneys is currently set at $125.00 flat rate for misdemeanor cases or an hourly rate between $35 and $45 per hour.  You must complete an Order of Compensation and submit it to the presiding judge for approval.

Information about Civil Cases
For information regarding filing fees, please contact the County Clerk at 361-575-1478.

Requests for a jury trial setting must be made in writing and the jury fee must be paid.  Once that request is received, a civil trial scheduling order will be issued.  A mandatory pre-trial hearing will be scheduled.  All pre-trial motions including motions in limine must be filed at least seven days before the date of the pre-trial hearing.  Cases set for jury trial will not be continued from that setting without a hearing on a motion for continuance filed prior to the pre-trial hearing deadline