CRIMINAL RULES

LCrR 57.1 Application of Rules by a Presiding Judge     

Notwithstanding the local criminal rules, a presiding judge may direct the parties to proceed in any manner that the judge deems just and expeditious.

LCrR 57.2 Miscellaneous and Special Orders   

The clerk shall maintain in each division a copy of all miscellaneous and special orders adopted by the court, and shall make these orders available for inspection and copying.

LCrR 57.3 Assignment of Cases   

The district judges shall determine the method by which all cases are assigned to individual judges.

LCrR 57.4 Conduct of Attorneys at Trial or Hearing     

Unless the presiding judge otherwise directs, during a trial or hearing, attorneys must:

1. stand when making objections or otherwise addressing the presiding judge;
2. use the lectern while examining or cross-examining witnesses;
3. when examining a witness, refrain from making statements, comments, or remarks before or after asking a question;
4. limit to one attorney for each party the examination or cross-examination of a witness; and
5. in making an objection, state plainly and briefly the grounds for objecting and not offer argument unless requested by the presiding judge.

LCrR 57.5 Clerk's Fees [Repealed 9-1-04]     

LCrR 57.6 Court Reporter's Fees [Repealed 9-1-04]   

LCrR 57.7 Admission of Attorneys   

Attorneys must fulfill the following requirements to be admitted to practice in this court:

1. Eligibility for Admission. Any attorney licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas, or by the highest court of any state or the District of Columbia, may be admitted to the bar of this court if the attorney is of good personal and professional character and is a member in good standing of the bar where the attorney is licensed.
2. Procedure for Admission. Attorneys desiring admission to the bar of this court must complete an application for admission, to be approved by a district judge, and, except as provided in subsection (c) of this rule, be introduced by a member in good standing of the bar of this court, and take the required oath or affirmation before a judge of this court. After the oath or affirmation is administered, and the applicant has paid the appropriate fee, the clerk shall issue a certificate stating that the attorney is admitted to practice before this court.
3. Admission Before Judges of Other Districts. Any nonresident attorney who has completed all requirements for admission to the bar of this court may, with the approval of a district judge of the division where the application is pending, have the oath of admission administered by a judge in another district. The nonresident attorney must file the oath with the clerk and pay the appropriate fee before the attorney's name will be added to the roll of attorneys for this district.
4. Admission is Discretionary. All admissions to practice before this court shall be discretionary with the district judge reviewing the application for admission.

LCrR 57.8 Loss of Membership and Discipline of Attorneys

1. Loss of Membership.  A member of the bar of this court is subject to suspension or disbarment by the court under the following circumstances:
   1. if for any reason other than nonpayment of dues, failure to meet continuing legal education requirements, or voluntary resignation unrelated to a disciplinary proceeding or problem, an attorney loses, either temporarily or permanently, the right to practice law before:
      1. the courts of the State of Texas;
      2. the highest court of any other state or the District of Columbia; or
      3. any federal court; or
   2. if an attorney fails to maintain the right to practice law before the highest court of at least one state or the District of Columbia, unless the member's failure to maintain such right results from nonpayment of dues or failure to meet continuing legal education requirements.
2. Grounds for Disciplinary Action. A presiding judge, after giving opportunity to show cause to the contrary, may take any appropriate disciplinary action against a member of the bar for:
   1. conduct unbecoming a member of the bar;
   2. failure to comply with any rule or order of this court;
   3. unethical behavior;
   4. inability to conduct litigation properly;
   5. conviction by any court of a felony or crime involving dishonesty or false statement; or
   6. having been publicly or privately disciplined by any court, bar, court agency or committee.
3. Appeal of Disciplinary Action [Repealed 9-1-04]
4. Reporting by Members. Any member of the bar of this court who has:
   1. lost or relinquished, temporarily or permanently, the right to practice in any court of record;
   2. been disciplined, publicly or privately, by any court, bar, court agency, or committee; or
   3. been convicted of a felony or crime involving dishonesty or false statement,
shall promptly report such fact in writing to the clerk, supplying full details and copies of all pertinent documents reflecting, or explaining, such action.

5. Unethical Behavior. The term "unethical behavior," as used in this rule, means conduct undertaken in or related to a civil action in this court that violates the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.
6. Readmission. An attorney applying for readmission to the bar of this court must submit an application for readmission, together with the following materials:
   1. a full disclosure concerning the attorney's loss or relinquishment of membership in the bar of this court; and
   2. all information required by subsection (d) of this rule concerning facts that occurred prior to the date of application for readmission.
7. Appointment of Counsel. The judge reviewing an application for admission shall have the right to appoint any member of the court's bar to assist in the handling of any proceeding contemplated by or resulting from this rule. An attorney appointed under this rule shall perform as requested unless relieved from doing so. An attorney desiring relief from appointment must move for such relief, which will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
8. Reciprocal Discipline.
   1. A member of the bar who is subject to suspension or disbarment under LCrR 57.8(a) must be given written notice by the chief judge, or by a district judge designated by the chief judge, that the court intends to suspend or disbar the member. The notice must identify the ground for imposing reciprocal discipline and provide the member an opportunity to show cause, within the time prescribed by the notice, why the member should not be suspended or disbarred.
   2. If the member does not respond to the notice, or responds but does not oppose reciprocal discipline, the chief judge or a designee district judge may enter an appropriate order after the prescribed time for a response expires or the response is received.
   3. If the member responds and, in whole or in part, opposes reciprocal discipline, the chief judge, or a district judge designated by the chief judge, must designate three district judges to hear the matter. The decision of a majority of the three-judge panel concerning the appropriate discipline shall be the final ruling of this court.

LCrR 57.9 Attorneys Not Admitted to Practice Before this Court

1. Eligibility to Appear. An attorney who is licensed to practice law by the highest court of any state or the District of Columbia, but who is not admitted to practice before this court, may represent a party in proceedings in this court only by permission of the presiding judge.
2. Application to Appear. Unless exempted by LCrR 57.11, an attorney who is not admitted to practice in this court, who desires to represent a party in a proceeding, and who is eligible pursuant to subsection (a) of this rule to appear, shall apply for admission pro hac vice on a court-approved form and pay the applicable fee to the clerk.
3. Regulation of Attorneys Admitted Pro Hac Vice. By appearing in any case, an attorney becomes subject to the rules of this court.

LCrR 57.10 Requirement of Local Counsel 

1. Local Counsel Required. Unless exempted by LCrR 57.11, local counsel is required in all cases where an attorney appearing in a case does not reside or maintain an office in this district. "Local counsel" means a member of the bar of this court who resides or maintains an office within 50 miles of the division in which the case is pending. Attorneys desiring to proceed without local counsel must obtain leave from the presiding judge. If the request for leave is denied, written designation of local counsel must be filed within 10 days of the denial.
2. Duties of Local Counsel. Local counsel must be authorized to present and argue a party's position at any hearing called by the presiding judge on short notice. Local counsel must also be able to perform, on behalf of the party represented, any other duty required by the presiding judge or the local criminal rules of this court.

LCrR 57.11 Exemption from Admission to Practice, and from Requirement of Local Counsel, for Attorneys Appearing on Behalf of the United States Justice Department or the Attorney General of the State of Texas   

Unless the presiding judge otherwise directs, an attorney appearing on behalf of the United States Justice Department or the Attorney General of the State of Texas, and who is eligible pursuant to LCrR 57.9(a) to appear in this court, shall be exempt from the requirements of LCrR 57.9(b) and 57.10, but shall otherwise be subject to all requirements applicable to attorneys who have been granted leave to appear pro hac vice.

LCrR 57.12 Withdrawal of Attorney  

An attorney desiring to withdraw in any case must file a motion to withdraw. This motion must, in addition to the matters required by LCrR 47.1, specify the reasons requiring withdrawal and provide the name and address of the succeeding attorney. If the succeeding attorney is not known, the motion must set forth the name, address, and telephone number of the client and either bear the client's signature approving withdrawal or state specifically why, after due diligence, the attorney was unable to obtain the client's signature.

LCrR 57.13 Change of Contact Information or Name     

1. Attorney Who is Not a Registered User of ECF.
   When an attorney admitted to practice in this district and who is not a registered user of ECF changes the attorney’s business address, e-mail address, telephone number, facsimile number, or name, the attorney must promptly notify the clerk, using the approved method, and the presiding judge, in writing, in each pending case.
2. Attorney Who is a Registered User of ECF.
   When an attorney admitted to practice in this district and who is a registered user of ECF changes the attorney’s business address, e-mail address, telephone number, facsimile number, or name, the attorney must promptly change this information in ECF, following procedures set forth in the ECF Administrative Procedures Manual.

LCrR 57.14 Parties Proceeding Pro Se   

Any party proceeding on the party's own behalf is considered pro se. Pro se parties must read and follow the local criminal rules of this court and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

LCrR 57.15 Attorney as a Witness [Repealed 9-1-04]

LCrR 58.1 Procedure Governed by Miscellaneous Order     

The procedures for conducting proceedings involving minor criminal offenses, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 3401, shall be governed by the current miscellaneous order establishing such procedures.

LCrR 59.1 Briefing Practice Concerning Objections to Magistrate Judge Orders in Nondispositive Matters.

1. Brief. Objections filed under Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(a) must be accompanied by a brief that sets forth the party's contentions of fact and/or law, and argument and authorities, and complies with LCrR 47.2.
2. Response Brief. A response brief to objections filed under Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(a) must comply with LCrR 47.2 and be filed within 10 days from the date the objections are filed.
3. Reply Brief. Reply briefs may not be filed unless the moving party requests, and the presiding judge grants, leave to do so. If leave is granted, the reply brief shall be filed no later than the deadline set by the presiding judge and comply with LCrR 47.2.
4. Preparing the Record. A party who files objections under Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(a) is responsible for preparing the record and-if necessary for disposition of the objections-obtaining a hearing transcript. Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, the transcript must be filed contemporaneously with the objections.

LCrR 59.2 Briefing Practice Concerning Objections to Magistrate Judge recommendations on Dispositive Motions.

1. Brief. Objections filed under Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(b)(2) must be accompanied by a brief that sets forth the party’s contentions of fact and/or law, and argument and authorities, and complies with LCrR 47.2.
2. Response Brief. A response brief to objections filed under Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(b)(2) must comply with LCrR 47.2 and be filed within 10 days from the date the objections are filed.
3. Reply Brief. Reply briefs may not be filed unless the moving party requests, and the presiding judge grants, leave to do so. If leave is granted, the reply brief shall be filed no later than the deadline set by the presiding judge and comply with LCrR 47.2.

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