302nd  COURT

 

 

 

 

JUDGE TENA CALLAHAN                                              ASSOCIATE JUDGE CHRISTINE COLLIE

600 Commerce, Suite 455  (4th Floor)                             Courtroom Suite 480       (4th Floor)

Dallas, TX 75202-4614                                                     214.653.6992

214.653.6189                                                                                                          ccollie@dallascounty.org

214.653.6131 (fax)

tcallahan@dallascounty.org

 

 

 

 

Prove-Ups:            Weds / 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.                     TRO & TEMP:            Tues / 9:00 a.m.; 1:30 p.m.

Contempt:             Mon / 9:30 a.m.                                                                           Thurs / 1:30 p.m.

Pre-Trial:             Mon / 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.                       CPS & TEMP:          Weds / 9:00 a.m.

(courtroom) (3 per 15-min. intervals)                             Modifications:           Weds / 1:30 p.m.

                                Mon/ 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.(phone)           Special Sets:               Mon & Fri / all day

Motion docket:     Wed / 9:30 – 12:00                                                                    Thurs / 9:00 a.m. – 12:00

                                                                                                Pro Se P-U’s:             2nd  & 4th Fri. / 8:30 a.m.

                                                                                                Disml’ docket:          Thurs / 9:00 a.m.

                                                                                                (1 x per month)

 

 

 

JUDGE HEARS:                                                                  ASSOCIATE JUDGE HEARS:

All final judgments (except modification of                    Final trial if attorneys agree; all temporary

child support and possession); prove-ups; writs            matters; TRO’s; protective orders; special

contempt; special appearances; associate judge           appearances; modification of child support and

appeals; paternity; pre-trials; jury trials.                      possession; discovery; writs; pre-trials; pro-se

                                                                                                prove-ups; other prove-ups at her discretion.

 

 

 

 

COURT STAFF:

 

CLERK:                                 BARBARA RODRIGUEZ                                  214.653.7375

ASST. CLERK:                    TAVARYA JORDAN                                         214.653.7375

COORDINATOR:               TWYLA WEATHERFORD                               214.653.6189

                                                (tweather@dallascounty.org)

REPORTER:                        BETH GRIFFIN                                                    214.653.7489

BAILIFF:                               NANCY STOUT                                                  214.653.6189

 

 

 

 

 

1. AFFIDAVIT OF INABILITY TO PAY: If the District Clerk files a motion contesting an Affidavit of Inability to Pay Costs, the motion will be heard by the Associate Judge.

2. APPEAL OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S REPORT: If the Associate Judge's Report is reduced to a formal order while an appeal is pending, the Judge will sign it, but will not enforce it by contempt until the appeal is either denied or becomes moot. Otherwise, the order is in full force and effect as an order of the Court. See TFC 201.007 and 201.013.  All appeals for the Associate Judge recommendation are set on the District Judge’s pre-trial docket. The District Judge will conference with all parties at the pre-trial setting and a hearing date for the AJ Appeal will be set.

3. APPOINTMENTS BY THE COURT: There is no published "list" of persons who will be appointed by the Court to serve as psychologists, mediators, ad litems, or amicus attorneys. There is a listing of all persons who have completed the required Ad Litem training that the Court utilizes. The Court will determine on a case-by-case basis whether an amicus attorney will be appointed on private, agreed termination/adoption cases.

4. AUDIO / VISUAL EQUIPMENT: Anyone wishing to use this equipment should become familiar with how to do so prior to trial. Check with the coordinator about the availability of the courtroom.

5. CHILDREN: Please follow Dallas County Local Rule 14.05 re: children at courthouse. Possession schedule for children under age 3: general preference is for frequent contact with both parents; however, each case is decided on its own merits.

6. CHILD SUPPORT: Payment through Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit. No direct pay to Obligee will be ordered. Parties are enrolled in C.A.R.E. program unless they opt out. Guardian Ad Litem program used only if all parties agree.

7. CONFERENCES: Scheduled like any other matter.

8. CONTEMPT: A prepared contempt order and order of commitment IS REQUIRED prior to hearing on contempt matters.

9. CONTINUANCES: Follow TRCP and Local Rules. If continuance is granted, the case will be set on a dismissal docket, pre-trial docket, or for another trial setting.

10. COURTROOM DECORUM: Turn cell phones off. Follow Dallas County Local Rule 14.05 regarding children. Beverages in courtroom permitted, but be cautious about electronic equipment.

11. DAUBERT CHALLENGES: Need to be scheduled and heard prior to pre-trial hearing.

12. DECREES: Submit within 30 days of announcement of agreement or conclusion of trial, per Local Rule 8.02. "Family violence statement" required.  Failure to do so will result in court setting aside rendition (after a trial) and case will be dismissed.

 

13. DISCOVERY DISPUTES: Associate Judge will determine. If there is a dispute during a deposition, contact the Court Coordinator.

14. DISMISSAL DOCKET: All cases will be placed on the dismissal docket at the time of filing. The Associate Judge will conduct a dismissal docket one Thursday per month. Written requests to retain a case on the docket may be e-mailed or faxed to the Court Coordinator in advance of the dismissal hearing, and will be considered and ruled on by the Associate Judge at the time of the dismissal docket. No telephone requests. Each retention request is considered on a case-by-case basis.

15. EMERGENCY CONTACT WITH COURT: Contact the Court Coordinator.

16. FAMILY VIOLENCE STATEMENT: Required in orders I decree.   Oral testimony required at prove up.

 

17.  INTERPRETERS:  If a litigant is represented by counsel and requests an interpreter, the cost of the interpreter will be charged as court costs against the requesting party.   Please check with the Court Coordinator for interpreter fees. Prior to the hearing, the litigant will be required to deposit the appropriate fee payable to Dallas County. 

18. INTERVIEWING CHILDREN: Judge will conduct interview if required, but only after completion of all other testimony, and only after scheduling the interview in advance so that children do not miss school or sit for extended periods in the courthouse hallways. Preference is for referral to Family Court Services or counselor, if needed.

19. MEDIATION: Mandatory in disputes involving conservatorship or possession/access regarding children. Mandatory in property disputes if more than 1/2 day will be required for trial.

20. NAME CHANGE: An affidavit will be required in divorce cases where a name change is requested. Live testimony will be required in independent name change actions.

21. PARENTING CLASSES: Parents are encouraged to attend Families First. Attendance is required if an answer has been filed or it is ordered by the Court.

22. PATERNITY ISSUE IN DIVORCE: Court will not grant a divorce if the Wife is pregnant. If Husband and Wife agree that the Husband is not the child's biological father, paternity must be established.

23. PRE-TRIAL HEARING: All contested matters are set on the Court’s pre-trial docket. A written request (email is sufficient) for a pre-trial setting is required. All parties shall appear at pre-trial with sufficient information about the status of the case so that the Court can, with reasonable certainty, schedule a final hearing. The Court will conduct non-evidentiary pre-trials by telephone if all parties are represented by counsel.

24. PRIOR SAPCR: Even if modification is not requested, prior SAPCR must be transferred and consolidated into the divorce action.

25. PRO SE DIVORCES: Associate Judge will hear pro se divorce prove-up only for the 302nd Court every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the 302nd main courtroom

 

Advance approval of all documentation by the Associate Judge is required. After the statutory time has expired and all legal prerequisites have been met, a pro se party may submit final paperwork to the clerk for review by the Associate Judge. Seven to ten days after submission of the final paperwork, the party may call the clerk's office to ascertain if the paperwork has been approved. If not approved, the party should pick up the paperwork and the Associate Judge's review, make all required corrections, and resubmit. If approved, the party should appear by 8:00 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Friday of any month and inform the clerk that he/she is there for a prove-up. The clerk will pull the file, and the party will report to the main courtroom for the 302nd, where the Associate Judge will begin hearing the prove-up's at 8:30 a.m.

26. RESIDENCY RESTRICTION: Decided on case-by-case basis. It is the policy of this state to encourage frequent contact between a child and each parent for periods of possession that optimizes the development of a close and continuing relationship between each parent and child. See TFC 153.251 and 153.252.  If there is no restriction, allocation of expenses will be determined pursuant to TFC 156.103.

27. STANDING ORDERS: Dallas County Standing Order.

28. STIPULATION DIVORCES: None heard.

29. TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS: If relief in addition to that contained in the Standing Order is requested, the requested relief must be supported by affidavit.

30. TRIALS: Set at pre-trial conference. If settled prior to trial date, immediately give notice of settlement to the Court. Require Proposed Parenting Plan; Proposed Property Division; and Inventories at trial. Time limits for voir dire, opening statements, closing statements, and trial will be determined at pre-trial on a case-by-case basis.