Honorable Judge
Arturo A. McDonald, Jr.
974 E. Harrison St.-Judicial Building
Brownsville Texas, 78520
Ph. (956) 544-0855
Fax (956) 548-9542
Court Staff:
Court Coordinator: Patty Candela Records Clerk: Jose Roberto “Beto” Treviño
Court Reporter: Irene R. Salazar
Contact information
All inquiries regarding Criminal Cases, email Court Coordinator atPatricia.Candela@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries regarding Civil and Probate Cases, email Court Administrator at Brenda.Cantu@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries regarding Court Docket, email Court Coordinator at Brenda.Cantu@co.cameron.tx.us Court Administrator
All inquiries regarding services, email Court clerk at jose.trevino@co.cameron.tx.us
Plea Documents
Dockets
Civil:
Feb 25, 2021
Criminal:
Feb 16, 2021
Honorable Judge
Laura L. Betancourt
974 E. Harrison St.-Judicial Building
Brownsville Texas, 78520
Ph. (956) 544-0856
Fax (956) 504-3678
Court Staff:
Court Coordinator: Karla Leal Records Coordinator: Tomas Quintero
Court Reporter: Roel Rodriguez
EMERGENCY STANDING ORDER
COVID 19 UPDATE
Effective Immediately
All court proceeding for Cameron County Court at Law #2 will be livestreamed through Youtube by clicking the following link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFwneQeDFUBxjazQn-Hplw until further notice.
Contact Information
All inquiries regarding Civil Cases, email Court Administrator at Perla.Diaz@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries regarding Criminal Cases, email Court Coordinator at Karla.Leal@co.cameron.tx.us
Judge Laura L. Betancourt, Cameron County Court at Law #2 permits attorneys to appear telephonically via CourtCall for most non-evidentiary hearings on civil cases. To set up your CourtCall Appearance call 1-888-882-6878 at least 3 days prior to your scheduled hearing date. Additional information is also available @ www.courtcall.com.
Forms
Dockets
COVID 19 UPDATE
Effective Immediately
All court proceeding for Cameron County Court at Law #2 will be livestreamed through Youtube by clicking the following link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFwneQeDFUBxjazQn-Hplw until further notice.
Civil:
Mar 02, 2021
Mar 03, 2021
Criminal:
Mar 02, 2021 – 9 am
Mar 02, 2021 – 1 pm
Mar 04, 2021 – 9 am
Mar 04, 2021 – 11 am
Honorable Judge
David Gonzales III
974 E. Harrison St.- Judicial Building
Brownsville Texas, 78520
Ph. (956) 574-8136
Fax (956) 574-8140
Court Staff:
Court Administrator: Nelly Sanchez
Court Coordinator: Sandra Forno Cisneros
Court Reporter: Ms. Bernadette “Bernie” Mathis
Records Coordinator:
Bailif: Leofredo Peña
Contact Information:
All inquiries regarding Criminal Cases, email Court Administrator at NSanchez@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries regarding Civil Cases, email Court Coordinator at Sandra.Forno2@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries regarding services and Criminal information, email Records Coordinator at Sandra.forno2@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries regarding transcripts, email Court Report at BKM148@aol.com
EMERGENCY STANDING ORDER
Civil dockets will be held via Zoom at 9:30 AM on Tuesdays.
Criminal dockets for noncustodial defendants will be held via Zoom at 9:30 AM on Thursdays.
Criminal dockets for defendants in custody will be held via Zoom at 10 AM on Thursdays.
Public access is available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-lXsjghvvJn6kLiq7hpzg
Contact Information
All inquiries regarding Criminal Cases, email Court Administrator at NSanchez@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries regarding Civil Cases, email Court Coordinator at Sandra.Forno2@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries regarding services, and Criminal information, email Records Coordinator at
All inquiries regarding transcripts, email Court Reporter at BKM148@aol.com
Forms
Plea by Teleconference
Waiver of Arraignment
Plea Blank With Atty
Trial Court’s Certification of Defendant’s Right of Appeal
Probate And Guardianship Forms
Guardian and Personal Representative General Information
Guardianship Forms
Physician’s Certificate Medical Examination
Dockets
Criminal Dockets are being held via Zoom on Mondays at 9:30am.
Civil Dockets are being held via Zoom on Tuesdays at 9:30am.
Public Access is available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-lXsjghvvJn6kLiq7hpzg
Arraignments:
Feb 25, 2021
Civil:
Feb 23, 2021
Criminal:
Feb 24, 2021
Honorable Judge Sheila Garcia-Bence
County Court At Law 4
974 E. Harrison St.
Brownsville, TX, 78520
956-574-8116
Court Staff:
Court Administrator: All inquiries regarding Probate Cases, and Small Estate Affidavits, email
Melissa Rocha; Melissa.Rocha@co.cameron.tx.us 956-574-8732
Court Coordinator: All inquiries regarding Guardianship and Civil Cases, email
Tanya Miracle; Tanya.Miracle@co.cameron.tx.us 956-574-8116
Court Reporter: Sydnee Schwab; Sydnee.Schwab@co.cameron.tx.us 956-356-6371
Bailiff: Jesse Betancourt; Jesse.Betancourt@co.cameron.tx.us
Court Investigator: All inquiries regarding initial and annual visits to the ward, and Annual Reports, email
Mindy Escamilla; Mindy.Escamilla@co.cameron.tx.us 956-356-6372
Court Auditor: All inquiries regarding the filing of Inventories, Annual Accounts, and Annual Reports email
Krystal Mallen; Krystal.Mallen@co.cameron.tx.us 956-574-8707
COVID UPDATE #3
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
In compliance with the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals Third Emergency Order prohibiting conducting non-essential proceedings in person contrary to local, state, and national directives, all County Court at Law No. 4 in-person proceedings of any size are delayed until at least June 1. We will continue to hold essential and non essential dockets on a weekly basis via televideoconferencing.
In compliance with the Office of Court Administration guidance regarding Public Access to Remote Hearings during the COVID-19 Pandemic all Cameron County Court at Law No.4 dockets will be livestreamed on YouTube. You may watch the proceedings at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Aex-cTEP7s7PJ1W0t-2DQ
Administrative Order on Personal Service
Administrative Order for Mental Health
Probate & Small Estates Affidavit Forms
Probate
- Instructions for Dependent Administrator
- Instructions for Independent Administrator
- Instructions for Independent Administrator with Will Annexed
- Instructions for Independent Executor
- Personal Representative General Information
Determination of Heirships
- Checklist for Attorney Ad Litems
- Affidavit of Notice by Applicant in Proceeding to Determine Heirship
- Application to Determine Heirship
- Attorney’s Certificate of Notice in Proceeding to Determine Heirship
- BLANK Order Appointing Attorney Ad Litem
- Distributee’s Conset to Application for Independent Adminstration and Waiver of Notice
- Judgment Determining Heirship WITH IA ORDER
- Judgment Determining Heirship
- Report of Attorney Ad Litem in Heirship Proceeding
- Waiver of Citation – Heirship only
Small Estate Affidavits
Zoom Instructions for Self-Represented Litigants and Court Participants
Guardianship Forms
Annual Account for Guardianship
Annual Report on the Condition and Well-Being of a Ward
Duties as a Guardian of the Estate
Duties as a Guardian of the Person
Guardianship Registration Application (English)
Guardianship Registration Application (Spanish)
Guardianship Checklist for Attorneys filing Guardianships in Cameron County
Physician’s Certificate of Medical Examination
Waiver of Service and Rights to Guardianship Letters
The Guardianship Training Module is now available in Spanish. To access the new version, on the Register a Guardianship page of our website, just click on the button in Spanish.
Dockets
Civil:
March 5 2021
Feb 26, 2021
Compliance:
Jan 15, 2021
Jan 15, 2021
Guardianship:
March 5, 2021
Feb 26, 2021
Mental Health:
Probate:
Mar 03, 2021
Small Estate:
Honorable Judge
Estela Chavez – Vasquez
County Court At Law 5
974 E. Harrison St.- Judicial Building
Brownsville Texas, 78520
Ph. (956) 356-6567
Court Staff:
Court Administrator (Civil): Monica Lopez
Court Coordinator (Criminal): Cynthia Esparza
Court Reporter: Rhonda Martin
Bailiff: Francisco Javier Pineda
Records Coordinator: Monica Rosendo
COVID-19 Operating Plan for Cameron County Judiciary
UPDATED – Guidance on Conducting Court Proceedings
Supreme Court Issues Two New Emergency Orders Regarding Jury Trial Delay and Statute of Limitations
Today, the Supreme Court issued the 22nd Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster (expires September 30 unless renewed). The order renews, as amended, paragraphs 3-10 and 12-13 of the 18th Emergency Order (which was set to expire August 31). The order requires:
- No jury proceedings permitted, including jury selection and jury trials, prior to October 1, except as discussed below.
- OCA is directed to coordinate with the Regional Presiding Judges and local administrative judges, to assist trial courts in conducting a limited number of jury proceedings prior to October 1 and to submit a report to the Court outlining observations and making recommendations regarding procedures for jury proceedings.
- So far, 5 jury trials have been conducted and 24 more, including 2 fully virtual trials, are scheduled for August. Trial court judges who have jury proceedings which might be appropriate as one of the limited jury trials should coordinate with their local administrative judge and regional presiding judge. Once that coordination has occurred, the Regional Presiding Judge will alert OCA of the potential trial for further discussion.
- A trial conducted as one of the limited jury proceedings permitted to proceed must:
- Be at the request of the judge presiding over the case;
- Ensure adequate social distancing and other restrictions and precautions are taken;
- Take all reasonable steps to protect the parties’ constitutional and statutory rights;
- Require the admonishment of petit jurors as appropriate to ensure that proper attention is given by each juror and that outside influence is removed;
- Permit OCA to observe the processes used during the proceeding so that OCA can prepare its report to the Court and develop best practices for other courts’ use; and
- For proceedings where petit jurors appear remotely, all potential and selected jurors must be ensured access to technology to participate remotely (except summary jury trials).
- Consent of the parties is not required.
- OCA is directed to coordinate with the Regional Presiding Judges and local administrative judges, to assist trial courts in conducting a limited number of jury proceedings prior to October 1 and to submit a report to the Court outlining observations and making recommendations regarding procedures for jury proceedings.
- Petit and grand jurors are permitted to participate remotely. OCA has obtained equipment that will allow jurors to participate remotely in a jury trial.
- Courts are prohibited from holding any in-person proceedings without first submitting and having acknowledgment from the Regional Presiding Judge of an operating plan that is consistent with OCA’s Guidance for All Court Proceedings During COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Courts are required to continue to use all reasonable efforts to conduct proceedings remotely.
- Courts are permitted to suspend or modify any deadlines or procedures, whether prescribed by statute, rule, or order, for a stated period ending no later than September 30, except that in parental termination cases filed by the government, the dismissal date for any case previously retained on the court’s docket can be extended for an additional period not to exceed 180 days from the date of this Order.
- Extends the authority of a court, without a participant’s consent, to allow or require anyone involved in any hearing, deposition, or other proceeding of any kind, to participate remotely; to consider as evidence sworn statements made out of court or sworn testimony given remotely, out of court; to conduct proceedings away from the court’s usual location with reasonable notice and access to the participants and the public; to require every participant to alert the court of COVID-19 symptoms or exposure; and to take any other reasonable action to avoid exposing court proceedings to the threat of COVID-19.
In the 21st Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster issued last Friday, the Supreme Court renewed, as amended, paragraph 11 of the 18th Emergency Order to extend the statute of limitations deadline for any civil case that fell between March 13 and September 1 to September 15.
Grand Jury Impanelment Template Permits Courts to Select Grand Jurors
As a reminder, OCA has approved impanelment of grand juries without further coordination as long as the court follows the grand jury impanelment procedure in the pre-approved template. If a court uses this template, please remember to submit the grand jury reporting form as required. OCA has received 26 grand jury impanelment reports, but if you have used the template procedure, please submit your report as soon as possible. The information from the reports will be used in preparation of OCA’s report to the Supreme Court of Texas.
Attorney General Issues Opinion on Authority of Judges to Require Face Coverings
In Opinion No. KP-0322 (issued August 3), Attorney General Paxton responded to a request for opinion on the authority of judges to require face coverings in courtrooms, courthouses, and county buildings, and how to resolve differences in separate branch orders that conflict. The opinion states that:
- A commissioners court may require any person entering a courthouse or other county-owned or controlled building to wear a facial covering;
- A county judge operating under a local disaster order could require a person to wear a facial covering when occupying a courthouse or other county-owned or controlled building;
- Judges possess broad inherent authority to control orderly proceedings in their courtrooms, and pursuant to that authority, they could require individuals in the courtroom to wear facial coverings;
- In addition, because of the Supreme Court’s emergency orders requiring all judges to comply with guidance promulgated by the Office of Court Administration, which requires facial coverings by all individuals while in the courthouse, courts may require any person entering the courthouse in which they preside to wear a facial covering while in the courthouse;
- Under Executive Order GA-29, individuals who fail to comply can be fined up to $250 for an individual’s second violation of a mask requirement;
- In addition, public officials may deny entry to those individuals refusing to wear a facial covering; and
- Issues of conflicting orders issued by various local officials within the same county should be resolved by coordinating with each other. Which official’s order would prevail in any particular circumstance may raise separation of powers issues and would be determined after reviewing the specific orders at issue and the corresponding authority of the public officials to issue those orders.
If you have any questions or concerns related to anything in this guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out by email at coronavirus@txcourts.gov. Thank you for your continued efforts during this difficult time.
EMERGENCY STANDING ORDER
Effective immediately Cameron County Court at Law #5 will be having Jail docket
every Tuesday at 10:30am
Contact Information
All inquiries concerning Civil Cases, email Court Administrator at Monica.lopez3@co.cameron.tx.us.
All inquiries concerning Criminal Cases, email Court Coordinator at
Cynthia.esparza@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries concerning services and Criminal information, email Court Records at Monica.rosendo@co.cameron.tx.us
All inquiries concerning transcripts, email Court Reporter at Rhonda.martin@co.cameron.tx.us