What is docket call

In Harris County, Fort Bend, Brazoria County, and Montgomery County Criminal Courts docket call refers to the beginning of the court session when the judge, or other court personnel, read out the names of the people who are supposed to be in court during that session.

When a defendant is bonded out of jail they are given the date and time of when they are supposed to be in court. On later court settings the time and date will be on a reset form. Generally, in Harris County, the time is , , or a defendant should make sure they know their specific required time. A condition of the bond is that the defendant will be in court at the specified time.

There could be cases on a docket that are set simply for status or scheduling issues. In other words, the court might just want a status in terms of where the case is at in terms of settlement negotiations, outstanding discovery issues, the procurement of expert reports, etc. The case also might simply be set for a pre-trial or settlement conference. In other circumstances, the court could have various motions set on their docket. Put simply, there could be cases that are not set for a final trial, but they could have motions set on various issues.

The motions could involve discovery issues. They could involve requests for mediation, the appointment of a guardian ad litem or a there could be a motion to set the case for trial, etc. For example, there could be order of protection hearings, temporary custody and support hearings known as PDL motions , motions for contempt and other issues. Even with trials, cases are set on a docket. In some instances, a court may have multiple trials set at the same day and the same time.

If the 1st case were to go for example, the cases behind it usually are not reached. The reality is that if you have a court date in your case, and you are on a docket, you probably want to know if you can discover where your case is at on the docket.

Some judges will ask you whether you are ready to proceed with your case. You should answer "ready. Most judges will briefly explain the procedure to be used in your trial. If you are confused about anything he says, or if you have other questions, do not be afraid to ask the judge.

When the trial begins, the judge will ask you and your witnesses to swear to tell the truth. The judge will also swear in the person you are suing before he tells his side of the controversy. A new provision for small claims in justice court allows you to be repreented by someone other than an attorney.