Rules of Municipal Court

Rule 1: Records system

1.1. The public may access case histories and status online. A name and date of birth is required to search.

1.2. Attorneys of record can have full online access to their clients’ files. A bar card number and password is required. The password must be obtained from the Clerk of the Court.

Rule 2: Entry of a plea

2.1 Written plea

All pleas shall be in writing, except for pleas entered in open court before a judge. A fine payment shall constitute a plea of nolo contendere as allowed by law.

2.2 Requests for assistance

• A request for a language interpreter should be made in writing at the time a plea is entered.
• Requests for assistance from persons with disabilities should be made at the time the plea is entered.
• Requests for visual or audio aids should be made at least one week prior to trial so that equipment can be arranged.

2.3 Electronic recording system

• The City of Austin Municipal Court is a court of record. All jury trials will be recorded by the court’s digital recording system.
• In Bench Trials, a defendant may request or waive recording at the initial announcement of the case or at the time of trial.

2.4 Plea by mail

The date of the postmark shall be designated as the date of filing of any plea received by mail.

2.5 Plea by fax

The date of receipt of a FAX by the Clerk’s office shall be designated as the date of filing of any plea.

2.6 Defendant appearance

A defendant who is not represented by an attorney must appear at all court settings of their case.

Rule 3: Courtroom decorum

3.1 Order

Order shall be maintained at all times. Violation of this rule can result in a reprimand by the judge, expulsion from the courtroom or a contempt citation.

• Unless an attorney is making an objection, only one person may speak at a time.
• No one may talk while the judge is talking.
• Participants will address others respectfully.
• Courtrooms shall not be used as passageways.

3.2 Weapons

Absolutely no illegal weapons shall be brought into the courtroom. Commissioned peace officers may bring weapons into the courtroom. The judge shall have the discretion to have any object removed from the courtroom.

3.3 Food and drink

In order to maintain cleanliness and decorum in the courtroom, no open containers of food or drink shall be brought into or consumed in the courtroom, except with permission of the judge.

3.4 Reading materials

Reading by non-participants is not be permitted in the courtroom when it causes noise or other distractions to the participants.

3.5 Seating

All persons in the courtroom must remain seated, except when:

• Addressing the judge or jury
• A seat is not available
• Directed to rise by a court officer, or with permission of the judge

3.6 Attire

All persons must dress appropriately for all court proceedings. Inappropriate attire includes but is not limited to:

• Clothing with obscene language or images
• Pants that sag and
• Exposed undergarments
• Flip-flops
• Tank tops
• Cut- off shorts
• Pajamas
• Clothing that is dirty or unsanitary
• Going without shoes
• Hats or sunglasses, except with permission of the judge

3.7 Electronic devices

All electronic devices shall be turned off or in silent mode. Any devices that interfere with the operation of the court’s digital recording system will be removed from the courtroom.

3.8 Recording of court proceedings

Taking photographs, audio or video recordings in the courtroom is strictly prohibited. Violation of this rule will result in a reprimand, expulsion from the courtroom, or a contempt citation.

Rule 4: Notice

4.1 Responsibility

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

• Determine the date, time and nature of each setting of case or cases.
• Update or notify the court of any change of address. Information is available on the court’s website.

4.2 Notice

Notice of the date, time and nature of each setting shall be given to each party in writing, by e-mail, in person or by mail, to the last known address of a party or counsel. All notices to attorneys will be by e-mail. A copy of each notice shall be included in the papers of the case and marked as to the manner of its delivery.

4.3 Verbal representation

Reliance upon verbal representation from any court personnel concerning any matter shall not be considered grounds for continuance, setting aside of a warrant or any other relief.

Reliance upon a police officer’s verbal statement(s) regarding disposition of an offense is not binding upon the court.

4.4 Complaint

A copy of the complaint will be made available to the defendant or counsel upon request to the clerk of the court. Attorneys of record who have obtained a password can view the complaint online.

Rule 5: Motions

5.1 Motions for continuance

5.2 Code

Continuances are governed by Chapter 29, Texas Code of Criminal Procedureopen_in_new. These rules augment but do not replace that code.

5.3 Form

A. All motions for continuance shall be in writing and shall be filed with the clerk of the court (motions clerk). Sending a fax is acceptable.

Such motions shall be filed immediately upon discovering the necessity for a continuance. Motions filed less than two working days prior to the scheduled event may be ruled on at the call of the docket.

B. Each motion shall contain:

1. The cause number
2. The name of the defendant
3. The date and time of the setting to be continued
4. The specific facts justifying the continuance

5.4 Emergency Motions

Motions filed less than two working days prior to the scheduled event may be ruled on at the call of the docket.

5.5 Late motions

Late motions will be ruled on by the judge who called the docket.

5.6 Factors

Except in cases where constitutional or statutory continuances are sought, the following factors will be among those considered in determining a motion for continuance:

• The specific nature of the conflict (illness, higher court schedule including court and case number, out of town, etc.)
• The time from the date on which the charge was initiated by citation or affidavit.
• The number of continuances previously granted to each party.
• The timeliness of the filing of the motion, including the date on which the conflict became known to Movant.

5.7 Forum

In all cases, the ruling on a motion for continuance shall be at the discretion of the judge to whom it is presented. A subsequent motion for the same setting shall be presented to the judge who denied the original motion, if practicable.

5.8 Denied motion

If a motion is denied, in order to avoid an arrest warrant, a bond in the amount set by the Court may be posted. It is the responsibility of the defendant to determine whether the motion was granted or denied. Information is available online.

5.9 Motions to withdraw

Any attorney who makes an appearance on behalf of the defendant or represents to the court that he or she is the attorney of record shall remain the attorney of record until a motion to withdraw as counsel or substitute other counsel is granted.

5.10 Without a hearing

A motion to withdraw as attorney of record will be granted without a hearing only if the moving attorney completes one of the following options:

A. Files a certificate stating the last known mailing address of the Defendant and a written consent to the withdrawal signed by the client.

B. Includes in the motion a specific statement, indicating:

1) The circumstances that prevent the moving attorney from obtaining the client’s written consent

2) That the client has been notified of the attorney’s intent to withdraw by forwarding a copy of the motion to said client and notice of any current settings.

5.11 With a hearing

If all requirements of Rule 4.21 are not satisfied, a motion to withdraw must be presented at a hearing after notice to the Defendant and to all other parties, as prescribed by Rule Seven: Pre-Trial Settings.

5.12 Substitution

If a motion to substitute another attorney includes an appearance by another attorney, that appearance will satisfy the requirements of Rule 4.21.

Rule 6: Appearance docket

6.1 Generally, cases in which defendants have pleaded “not guilty” will be set for an appearance docket prior to being set for trial.

6.2 At the appearance docket, the defendant will be given an opportunity to speak with the prosecutor and be made aware of options in lieu of trial.

6.3 Cases in which an attorney enters a not guilty plea on behalf of their client will be set on an attorney appearance docket. Only attorneys are set on this docket.

6.4 The appearance docket can be waived in writing. A waiver may result in the defendant losing any opportunity to negotiate with the prosecutor for an alternate resolution prior to trial

Rule 7: Pre-trial settings

7.1 Motions

Pre-trial Motions may be filed regarding the matters enumerated in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 28.01.open_in_new This includes the following:

• Exceptions to substance or form of complaint
• Motions to suppress
• Discovery of tangible items
• Motions for the appointment of an interpreter
• Motions to recuse or disqualify
• Motions to dismiss
• Entrapment
• Motions to change venue

7.2 Form

• All motions shall be in writing.
• Typed motions shall be double-spaced and in a minimum 12-point font.
• Hand-written motions shall be legible.
• Motions shall not exceed 4 pages, exclusive of the signature page, unless leave of court is granted.
• Motions and other documents not seeking relief afforded by law will not be heard.

7.3 Hearings

No more than one pretrial hearing shall be set per case without leave of the court. Failure to file pre-trial motions as indicated herein shall constitute a waiver of having those issues heard before trial. [Revised 06/2014]

7.4 Deadline to file

Unless leave of Court has been granted, all pretrial motions shall be filed at least 14 days prior to trial. Such motions shall be heard no later than 3 days prior to trial.

7.5 Service

It shall be the responsibility of the party filing any pretrial motion to serve opposing counsel or party with a copy of the motion within 3 days of the filing of said motion. Service may be made by hand delivery, certified mail, or FAX.

7.6 Hearing date

It shall be the responsibility of the party filing any pretrial motion to serve opposing counsel or party with a copy of the motion within 3 days of the filing of said motion. Service may be made by hand delivery, certified mail, or FAX.

7.7 Subpoena/evidence

The State is responsible for the appearance of all necessary witnesses in response to a defendant’s motion to suppress evidence. In all other cases, each party shall be responsible for subpoenaing his or her own witnesses and physical evidence.

Rule 8: Trial settings

8.1 Docket order

Subject to the discretion of the Judge calling the docket, the order of cases proceeding to trial (both bench and jury) shall be as follows:

A. Preferential settings.

B. Cases according to age, oldest first

All cases not reached will be noted as the court’s reset, with no penalties assessed against either the defendant or the state.

8.2 Preferential settings

To receive a preferential setting, subject to the judge’s approval, a party must meet one of the following criteria:

• Reside more than 50 miles outside of the city
• Have a condition, illness, or injury that would necessitate an expedited disposition of the case
• Have a non-defendant witness who has appeared on at least two prior trial settings without their case having been reached

8.3 Required appearance

All interested parties must be present and in the courtroom at the time the docket is called. Interested parties are defined as:

• Defendants.
• Defense counsel
• State’s counsel

8.4 Failure to appear

If defendant or defense counsel is not present, a bond must be posted in order to have the case reset, unless waived by a judge for good cause shown. If state’s witness is not present, state shall show good cause for witness’s absence, or proceed to trial.

8.5 Record of the proceedings

A. Request and availability

A defendant may request that a trial be digitally recorded at the initial announcement of the case or at the time of trial. No fee is required for digital recording.

B. Purpose

The Austin Municipal Court is a court of record. Transcripts of digital recording may be purchased from the contractor designated by the Clerk of the Court to produce transcripts for the court. In order to appeal a finding of guilt to the County Court, a defendant should have a transcript of the proceeding sent to the appellate court or shall provide to the appellate court an agreed statement of fact approved by the Assistant City Attorney.

8.6 Visual and audio aids

A. A defendant who wishes to use visual or audio aids in their defense must notify the court at least 1 week prior to trial so that arrangements can be made for the proper equipment to be available.

B. The sitting judge shall make the final decision on what audio or video recordings, if any, are to be admitted into evidence.

8.7 Media access

As a general rule, broadcast media will not be allowed to record any court proceeding. Any exceptions may be made by the judge presiding in each particular case.

Rule 9: Post-trial

9.1 Code

Motions for new trials and appeals are governed by the Texas Government Code, Section 30.00014open_in_new, et seq.

9.2 Appellate information

Following a trial in which there is a guilty judgment, the Clerk of the Court shall make available to each defendant a handout summarizing the appeal process.

9.3 Indigency

If a defendant is indigent or otherwise too poor to pay either the appeal bond or the transcript, she or he may file an Affidavit of Indigency with the court and a Motion to Waive Costs within the 10 day period to file an appeal bond. A hearing on the motion to waive costs shall then be scheduled by the court.

9.4 Inability to pay fine

If a defendant does not appeal the court’s decision, but is unable to pay the fine when due, the defendant can request an extension to pay or a payment plan. If the defendant qualifies, the court may allow the defendant to pay the fine in installments or discharge the fine by performing community service.

9.5 Warrant

If a defendant does not pay the fine, meet all obligations of an installment payment plan, or discharge the fine by performing community service as ordered by the court, a warrant will be issued which will subject the defendant to arrest.

Terminology

Contempt: Any disobedience or misconduct in the presence of a court.

Nolo contendere plea: Also referred to as a "no contest plea." This plea means that a defendant is not admitting guilt.

Bench trial: A trial by judge instead of a trial by jury.

Defendant: The person who is accused of a crime.

Disposition: The Court's final determination of a case.

Continuance: A postponement of a case trial.

Plea: A formal statement made by the defendant or defendant's attorney, declaring guilt or innocence of a crime.

Appeal: The process in which a court's final decision is reviewed. Defendants may request an appeal if they believe there has been an error with their case.

Indigent: A person who cannot afford legal representation.