{"courtSectionTextID":1592,"courtID":22,"title":"**TRIAL INFORMATION**","sectionText":"

Trial Procedures

  1. The Court does not have a docket call.
    1. Do not appear unless you have been notified by the Court to appear.
    2. Counsel for the cases on each trial docket will be contacted by Raven Hubbard, the Trial Coordinator, requesting information regarding the status of the case (ready or need a continuance), the number of days it will take to try the case, and to provide any information that may affect the trial setting (vacation letters, need for a larger jury panel etc.).  The coordinator will assign the cases for trial.
    3. All cases are on call during the entire two (2) week docket.
    4. Please note that the Court maintains a list of the top ten cases scheduled for trial. The cases on that list can be assigned in any order. That list can be found here: 281st District Court Website.

       

  2. Pre-Trial Conference
    1. The Court typically conducts the pre-trial conference on the day of trial for approximately an hour.
      1. The parties should exchange and file with the Court exhibit lists, motions in limine, depositions offers and proposed jury charges or proposed findings of facts and conclusion at least three (3) days before trial or the Thursday before a Monday Trial setting. Proposed jury charges should also be emailed directly to Raven Hubbard (email), the Trial Coordinator.
      2. The parties should review the exhibit lists, motions in limine and deposition offers in advance of the pre-trial conference. At the pre-trial conference the Court will rule on motions in limine, objections to deposition offers and pre-admit exhibits that have been agreed upon.
    2. Should a party anticipated needing more than hour for pre-trial conference, they must schedule a separate pre-trial conference with the Court by reaching out to the Court Coordinator and request a separate pre-trial conference at the time they are assigned for trial.

  3. Expert Challenges
    1. Expert challenges should be filed by the date set out in the Court’s docket control order.
    2. Parties should set all motions to challenge experts for hearing at least seven (7) days before trial.

       

  4. Preferential Settings
    1. The Court does grant preferential settings, but it is on a case by case basis. A request does not guarantee a preferential setting.
    2. Both parties must agree to the request and file a motion with the court.
    3. The Motion to Request a Preferential Setting must include the basis for the preferential setting  (i.e out of town witnesses, will take two (2) weeks or longer to try.)
      c.  Counsel understands that by requesting a preferential setting, they agree to the following:
    1. To waive all vacations letters for that time period.
    2. That they understand that there will be no continuances granted to move from the preferential setting except for the death or serious illness of a party/lead counsel or an immediate member of her/his family (unavailability of a witness at the time of trial will not be grounds to continue a preferential setting); and
    3. Any motion to continue a preferentially set case will require an oral hearing.
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