Rules of the Court

1.1 Authority for Rules

Under the inherent power and duty of all Texas Courts as codified in Section 21.001 of the Texas Government Code, the following Local Rules of the City of Fort Worth, Texas (hereinafter "Local Rules") are promulgated and shall apply and govern any and all proceedings held within any Municipal Court of the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas whether in person or virtually.

1.2 Application

The Local Rules apply to attorneys and their staff, to defendants representing themselves (hereinafter "pro se defendants"), to court staff, to witnesses, and to observers. A judge may promulgate additional rules for their court which do not conflict with these rules or applicable law. Failure to comply with these rules may result in the imposition of sanctions, including contempt.

1.3 Effective Date

These Local Rules are effective March 3, 2026, and supersede all previous Local Rules of the Municipal Court of the City of Fort Worth, Texas.

1.4 Availability

A copy of the Local Rules shall be made available in every courtroom and on the City of Fort Worth website which can be accessed at www.fortworthtexas.gov/municipalcourt.

1.5 Citation Form

These rules shall be known as the Local Rules of the Municipal Court of the City of Fort Worth, Texas. Each rule may be cited as "Fort Worth Local Rule _" or "FWLR "

1.6 Authority of Municipal Court Judges

The Municipal Court of the City of Fort Worth is one Court, separated into Courtrooms, each referred to as a "Court". Each judge, whether a full-time judge or a substitute judge sitting for a full-time Judge, has all authority within the Court in which they are sitting and in the Fort Worth Municipal Court in general as does any municipal judge of a court of record in the State of Texas. Each municipal judge, whether full-time or substitute, is also a magistrate for every county into which the City of Fort Worth extends and has all authority as a magistrate in any of these counties as set for in state law.

2.1 Formal Opening

With the exception of the jail magistration court, each session of the court shall be brought to order by formal announcement by the bailiff of the court, requiring all present in the courtroom to rise as the Judge takes the bench. The bailiff shall remain in the courtroom at all times that court is in session.

2.2 Conduct Required of All Persons Attending Court

Court is in session when the Judge is on the bench. Unless otherwise directed by the Judge, the following conduct must be observed while court is in session:

a. No smoking or use of tobacco products, including but not limited to snuff, chewing tobacco, or vaping devices.

b. No reading of or writing in any materials, other than court documents, including books, magazines, newspapers, notebooks, or any electronic forms of such materials.

c. No propping of feet or silting on tables, railing, or the backs of benches or chairs.

d. No talking.

e. No loud noises.

f. No eating, drinking, or chewing gum. No food or beverages are allowed in the courtroom.

g. No standing in the courtroom except at the direction of the Judge, when addressing the Court, or when necessitated by the business of the Court.

h. No comments, gestures, facial expressions, or sounds indicating approval or disapproval of a Court ruling or witness testimony.

i. All persons shall be dressed appropriately to maintain the dignity, integrity, decorum, seriousness, and professional atmosphere of the Court. As such, no inappropriate attire, including:

j. No unattended children. Any children brought into the courtroom must remain quiet. Children under the age of 8, and children 8 and older, who cannot sit alone, may not be brought into the courtroom without an adult or older responsible person who can accompany them out of the courtroom if necessary.

k. All persons must have all electronic devices powered off at all times, unless needed to process a case or needed for medical purposes. Smart phones, tablets, or laptop computers may not be used in the courtrooms except while processing a case on the docket. Any device which rings or otherwise makes noise may be taken by the bailiff and not returned until the conclusion of the court proceedings.

I. Video and audio recordings are prohibited in the courtroom. If video recording from the outside of the courtroom, equipment must be positioned not to impede ingress or egress to or from the courtroom.

2.3. Conduct Required of Attorneys and Defendants

Attorneys shall observe both the letter and the spirit of all Canons of Ethics and the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, including those Canons concerning improper ex parte communication with the Judge and those dealing with discussion of cases with representatives of the media. In addition:

a. Attorneys shall advise their clients and witnesses of the Local Rules and shall ensure that their clients and witnesses follow and fully adhere to all such rules.

b. Pro se defendants shall conform their behavior to all provisions of the Canons of Ethics applicable to licensed attorneys. Pro se defendants shall not attempt to converse with the judge about their cases unless the prosecuting attorney is present.

c. All parties shall be prompt in arriving for court and attending to court business. Attorneys shall sign in on the Court's sign-in sheet prior to the docket call. All parties, including the attorneys, defendants, and witnesses (excluding police officers for the State), shall be present in the courtroom at the start of the docket.

d. Failure of a represented or prose defendant to appear as scheduled may result in a warrant being issued. An attorney who fails to appear timely may be subject to sanctions, up to and including contempt.

e. Once an individual has entered the courtroom and appeared before the Court, they shall not leave the courtroom without permission from the Judge.

f. During any trial or hearing, objections, arguments, and comments shall be directed to the Judge and not to opposing counsel or pro se defendants. Objections shall be supported by legal basis for such objection.

g. During any trial or hearing, all participants in the proceedings shall address each other and members of the Jury, if any, without familiarity. The use of first names shall be avoided. While addressing the Court, Attorneys and pro se Defendants shall rise and remain standing at their position at the counsel table unless directed otherwise by the Judge.

h. During any trial or hearing, attorneys, and pro se defendants shall remain seated at the counsel tables except:

1. When the Judge enters and leaves,

2. When addressing the Judge or jury,

3. When objecting to the opposing party,

4. When necessary to handle documents, exhibits, or other evidence, or

5. When directed by the Judge.

i. Attorneys and pro se defendants shall not approach the bench except after requesting and receiving permission from the Judge or directed by the Judge.

j. Attorneys and pro se defendants shall not lean over or place personal items on the bench.

 2.4. The Media 

The media will not be allowed to record any court proceedings inside the courtroom. Any exception may be made by the judge presiding in each particular case. Broadcast media wishing to film proceedings from outside the courtroom must position equipment not to impede ingress or egress to or from the courtroom. 

2.5.1. Weapons in the Courtroom 

Absolutely no weapons shall be brought into the courtroom with the exception of those intended to be offered as evidence. Fort Worth City Marshals, FWPD officers, and commissioned peace officers on official court business may bring weapons into the courtroom. All off-duty, retired, or out-of-jurisdiction peace officers or law enforcement officers entering the A.D. Marshal Municipal Court building with a weapon, whether or not in uniform, and not on official court business are required to secure any and all weapons in their possession upon entry. The judge shall have the discretion to have any object removed from the courtroom. 

"Official court business" refers to appearance as a witness in the peace officer's official capacity, execution of court orders, engagement in duties directly authorized by the Court, or conducting on-duty official business outside of the courtroom.

3.1. Appearance in Writing 

An attorney must make an appearance in a case in writing. The appearance may be filed in person at the cashier window, by mail, or electronically by emailing it to courtdockets@fortworthtexas.gov. If the case is pending on a trial docket, the case will not be reset solely due to the filing of a written appearance by an attorney. 

3.2. Bond Required 

For any case with an active alias warrant, the attorney or pro se defendant shall be required to post a bond before the court will cancel the warrant and set the case for a future docket. Any pro se defendant may appear before a judge in the walk-in court to discuss options for resolving or setting their case without the need to post a bond. 

3.3. Plea by Defendant 

A plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest must be filed with the Clerk of the Court within twenty-one (21) days following the issuance of the citation. All pleas not entered in open court must be in writing. Payment in full of a case shall constitute a guilty/no contest plea. No partial payments shall be accepted without a plea entered in person. A timely plea of not guilty by a pro se defendant will result in a plea docket setting, unless otherwise directed by the judge. The defendant shall inform the court whether he/she desires a jury trial or a bench trial (a trial without a jury). 

3.4. Date of Filing of Appearance or Plea 

a. In person filing - the date it is received

b. Filing by mail - the date of the postmark, with application of the mailbox rule

c. Filing electronically by email - the date the appearance or plea is received if it is received during working hours. If the appearance or plea is received after working hours or on a date the court is closed, the date of filing shall be the next business day.

3.5. Requests for Assistance 

A party desiring the services of an interpreter or special assistance related to a disability or other special accommodation shall make the request in writing or in open court as soon as the party becomes aware of the need. 

4.1 Responsibility

It is the responsibility of all persons with business before the Court to:

a. Determine the date, time, location, and nature of each setting of their case(s), and

b. Notify the court in writing of any change to their contact information including address, phone number, and email address of the defendant or counsel for the defendant.

4.2. Notice 

Notice of the date, time, location, and nature of each setting shall be given by the court to a pro se defendant in person or by mail at the address on file for the defendant in the subject case. Notice of the date, time, location, and nature of each setting shall be given by the court to counsel for defendant either in person, by mail, by email, or by report directed to the last known address or email address of the attorney. 

4.3. Oral Representations 

Reliance by any party upon oral representations from any court staff or a police officer concerning any matters shall not be binding as grounds for continuance, setting aside a warrant or judgment, dismissal of any case, or any other relief. Court staff are prohibited from providing legal advice or guidance. 

4.4. Complaint 

A copy of the complaint will be made available to the defendant or counsel upon request.

5.1 Motions in General

a. All motions must be filed in writing with the clerk of the court in which the case is set at least fourteen (14) days prior to any scheduled court date unless otherwise stated below. Responses to such motions shall be filed at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled court date. The motion will be ruled upon by the judge scheduled to preside over that docket. Unless ruled upon prior to the court setting, such motions shall be heard on the scheduled court date. Motions and responses may be filed in person, by mail, or electronically by emailing the motion to courtdockets@fortworthtexas.gov.

b. Motions for cases not set on a docket shall be filed in person at the cashier window, by mail, or electronically by emailing the motion to courtdockets@fortworthtexas.gov.

c. All motions shall be accompanied by a certificate of service to and a certificate of conference with the opposing party. Motions filed without said certificates shall be considered ex parte motions. Clerk of the Court staff is not responsible for serving motions on opposing parties.

d. It is the responsibility of each party to determine whether a motion was granted or denied

5.2. Date of Filing of Motion

a. In person filing - the date it is received

b. Filing by mail - the date of the postmark, with application of the mailbox rule

c. Filing electronically by email - the date the motion is received if it is received during working hours. If the motion is received after working hours or on a date the court is closed, the date of filing shall be the next business day.

5.3. Form 

Each motion shall contain: 

a. The cause number;

b. The name of the defendant;

c. The date, time, and court in which the case is set, (if the case is set on a docket);

d. Specific facts justifying the motion; In a motion for continuance, if the reason for the continuance is a conflict with a setting in another court, the motion shall contain the style and cause number of the other case, the date and time of the setting, the court in which the case is set, the type of case (civil or criminal), and the type of setting (arraignment, plea, final trial, etc.);

e. A certificate of conference indicating the agreement or disagreement of the opposing party;

f. A certificate of service indicating the date and manner in which the opposing party was served with the motion;

g. An oath attesting to the truth of the matters contained in the motion; and

h. A proposed order for the Judge to designate whether the motion is granted or denied.

5.4. Motions for Continuance 

Continuances are governed by Chapter 29 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. These rules are intended to supplement and not to replace the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure. 

5.4.1. Filing Deadline 

Motions for continuance shall be filed with the clerk of the court in which the case is set not less than five (5) working days prior to the scheduled court setting. In cases in which the need for a continuance arises within five (5) working days from the court setting, the motion shall be filed immediately upon discovering the necessity for a continuance. The motion will be ruled upon by the judge scheduled to preside over that docket. Unless granted prior to the court setting, all parties shall appear in court at the scheduled docket. Failure to appear can result in a warrant being issued for the arrest of the defendant. 

5.4.2. Factors 

Motions for continuance require good cause shown and may not be made solely for purposes of delay. If the case is pending on a trial docket, the case will not be reset solely due to the filing of a written appearance by an attorney. With the exception of continuances sought on constitutional or statutory grounds, the following factors will be considered in determining whether the motion shall be granted or denied: 

a. The specific nature of the scheduling conflict;

b. The age of the case;

c. The number of previous continuances granted to each party;

d. The timeliness of the filing of the motion, including the date on which the scheduling conflict, if any, became known to the movant; and

e. Any other matter relevant to the motion.

5.5. Motions to Withdraw 

An attorney who makes an appearance on behalf of a defendant shall continue as the attorney of record for the defendant until a written motion to withdraw is filed by that attorney and is granted by the court, a motion to substitute counsel is filed and granted by the court, the defendant terminates the employment of their attorney, or the case is disposed of by trial, plea, or dismissal. 

5.5.1. Withdrawal without a Hearing 

A motion to withdraw as counsel for defendant may be granted without a hearing only if the moving attorney files a verified certificate stating the last known mailing address of the Defendant and describes what efforts have been made to locate the defendant, or if counsel files along with the motion a written consent to the withdrawal signed by the client acknowledging that the defendant has been advised of all future court settings. 

5.5.2. Withdrawal Requiring Hearing 

If the requirements of Rule 5.4.1 are not satisfied, a motion to withdraw must be presented to the court at a hearing after notice to the defendant and to all other parties. 

5.6. Motions to Substitute Counsel 

A motion to substitute counsel shall be signed by the attorney who currently represents the defendant and the attorney who wishes to undertake representation of the defendant. The motion must include an affirmative statement that the defendant consents to the substitution. If a motion to withdraw as counsel for defendant also contains a motion to substitute counsel and a notice of appearance by another attorney, and a written agreement by the State, that appearance will satisfy the requirements of Rule 5.4.1. and the attorney named in the motion to substitute will thereafter be considered by the court as attorney of record for the defendant. 

5. 7. Affidavits of Intent to Surrender Surety and Affidavit of Surrender of Surety

Any attorney requesting to be removed from the bond of a defendant shall file the appropriate affidavit under either Article 17.19 CCP (for defendants who are not incarcerated) or Article 17.16 CCP (for defendants who are incarcerated). Such affidavit may be presented at any time prior to or at a setting of the case. 

5.8. Motions to Compel Discovery, Pre-Trial, Trial, and Post-Trial Motions 

AH other motions shall be filed with the clerk in which the case is set in the manner prescribed by these rules. 

5.9. Requests for Discovery 

Requests for discovery are governed by Art. 39.14 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. These rules are intended to supplement and not to replace the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure. 

Requests for discovery shall be made no later than thirty (30) days prior to trial with the prosecutors office either: 

a. In person on the 4th floor of the A.O. Marshall Municipal Courts Building located at 1000 Throckmorton, Fort Worth, TX 76102;

b. By mail to: Prosecutors Office, 1000 Throckmorton, Fort Worth, TX 76102;or

c. By email to: prosecutors@fortworthtexas.gov

If after making a request for discovery, defendant enters a plea of guilty or no contest or announces ready for trial prior to receiving discovery from the state, defendant's request for discovery shall be deemed waived. 

5.10. Vacation Letters 

A written vacation letter shall be filed either in person at the cashier window, by mail, or electronically by email to courtdockets@fortworthtexas.gov for any period of time that an attorney will be unavailable to appear in court. Vacation letters shall be filed no less than 60 days prior to the date the vacation is to begin. If the vacation letter is not filed at least 60 days prior to the vacation commencement date, the attorney shall file a motion for continuance in each case set during the vacation period. 

6.1 Off-Docket Motions

A motion for a case not already set on a docket must be filed in writing with the clerk of the court either in person at the cashier window, by mail, or electronically by email to courtdockets@fortworthtexas.gov.

6.2 Walk-in Courts

A pro se defendant or attorney may appear in the walk-in court to take some action on a case pending before the court that is not set on a docket, including entering a plea, presenting proof of compliance, or requesting deferred disposition, defensive driving, a payment plan, or community service in lieu of paying a fine. Persons appearing in the walk-in court must arrive early enough to allow sufficient time to process all cases prior to the posted closing time of the court. If there is insufficient time, they may be asked to return at another time.

7.1 Attorney Plea Dockets

The purpose of the attorney plea docket (APO) is to resolve cases prior to trial and to set for trial those cases which cannot be resolved. The APO is intended to be the final setting on a case before it is scheduled for trial.

7.2. Offers to Resolve Pending Cases 

It is the responsibility of the prosecutors to communicate any offers to settle a case to defense attorneys prior to the APO. It is the responsibility of the defense attorneys to communicate those offers to their clients prior to the APO. 

7.3. Appearance by Defendant 

A defendant shall appear at an in-person APO setting. A defendant is not required to appear at a virtual APO setting. No case will be set for a future court setting without an appearance by the attorney and defendant (when required to appear) at the APO. If a defendant fails to appear when required, and the attorney does not resolve the case, the judge may issue a warrant and/or forfeit any cash or surety bond that has been posted on defendant's behalf. 

8.1 Docket Order

Subject to the discretion of the judge calling the docket, the order of cases proceeding to trial shall be as follows:

a. Preferential setting;

b. Cases set according to age, oldest first;

c. Other circumstances as determined by the court in the interest of justice.

All cases not reached for trial and not otherwise disposed of on a docket, will be noted as a court's reset unless a reset was requested by a party and granted by the court.

8.2 Preferential Setting

A judge may grant a preferential setting if a party meets one of the following criterions:

a. Resides more than two hundred (200) miles outside of the Fort Worth city limits; or

b. Has a condition, illness, or injury that would necessitate an expedited disposition of the case; or

c. Has an outside witness who has appeared at at least one prior trial setting without the case having been reached for trial. 

9.1. Definitions 

A juvenile is a defendant who is at least 10 years of age and is younger than 17 years of age at the time of the alleged offense. 

A minor is a defendant under the age of 21 who has been charged with an Alcohol Beverage Code violation or public intoxication, or a defendant under the age of 18 charged with a tobacco offense. 

9.2. Entering a Plea 

Both juveniles and minors must enter their plea in open court. A juvenile must be accompanied by their parent or guardian when entering their plea. 

9.3. Notice of Current Address 

A juvenile and the parent or guardian of a juvenile has a continuing obligation to give written notice to the court of their current address and telephone number while the case is pending. 

RULE 10: POST TRIAL PROCEEDINGS 

10.1. Admonishment 

Due to the inherent complexities of appellate law, pro se defendants are encouraged to consider retaining counsel to represent them on appeal. 

10.2. Indigence Hearing 

If a defendant does not appeal the court's decision, and claims indigence, the defendant may request an indigence hearing. At the hearing, the defendant shall be required to show cause why they cannot discharge the fine by making payments or performing community service in lieu of payment. 

10.3. Indigence on Appeal 

If a defendant is indigent and unable to pay either the appeal bond or pay for the transcript, they may file an affidavit of indigence with the court and file a motion to waive costs on forms approved by the court. Such affidavit of indigence and/or motion to waive costs must be filed within the ten (10) day statutory period to file an appeal bond. A hearing on the motion to waive costs shall then be scheduled by the judge who entered the order being appealed, unless that judge is no longer available then another judge shall be appointed by the Chief Judge to preside over the hearing. 

11.1 Severability 

If any provision of these Rules or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect other provisions or application of these Rules, which can be given effect without the invalid or unconstitutional provision or application, and to this end the provisions of the Rules are severable. 

11.2 Inapplicability to Civil Cases 

The Rules set forth herein are the Local Rules of Court applicable to criminal proceedings, and are not applicable to the civil cases and administrative hearings heard in the Fort Worth Municipal Courts with the exception of Rule Two, Courtroom Decorum. 

11.3 Construction 

These Rules shall not be construed so as to enlarge, diminish, modify or alter the jurisdiction, power or authority of the Municipal Court of the City of Fort Worth.