NEW ADDRESS
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 3, 2011
First Court of Appeals
301 Fannin
Houston, Texas 77002-2066
Telephone: 713-274-2700
Fax: 713-755-8131
E-filing is now mandatory for attorneys filing documents in a civil case. Local Rule 4(h) also requires four (4) paper copies of an e-filed brief and three (3) paper copies of any e-filed petition to be filed within one business day after a document is e-filed.
The First Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas Area. The Court consists of nine justices who hear appeals and original proceedings from the ten counties listed below:
- Legal Citation:
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Tex. Const. art. V, § 6.
Tex. Gov't Code Ann. §§ 22.201(b), 22.202, 22.216(a), 22.217–22.228 (Vernon 2004 & Supp. 2009).
Latest News & Updates
- New! Applications are currently being accepted for the Court's internship program. Interested applicants are invited to review the information in the "Intern Program" link to the right under "General information" before submitting an application. Internships are unpaid, and applications are accepted throughout year.
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New!
Effective January 24, 2012, all attorneys in civil cases are required to electronically file all documents (except a document submitted under seal or subject to a motion to seal) with the Court through the Texas.gov electronic filing system. Visit http://www.texas.gov/en/tx-efiling/Pages/default.aspx for a direct link to Texas.gov.
A party representing themselves pro se (without an attorney) in a civil case, or a party to a criminal proceeding, is encouraged to e-file documents, but is not required to do so.
In addition to e-filing documents in a civil case, the Texas.gov e-filing system allows filers to pay filing fees and to serve opposing counsel. Attorneys in civil cases who are required to file documents electronically, or any party who elects to e-file documents, must select and register with an electronic filing service provider.
A filer who is required to e-file documents (all attorneys in civil cases) or a filer who elects to e-file documents must comply with Local Rule 4. ELECTRONIC FILING OF DOCUMENTS. Local Rule 4 (h) governs the number of paper copies required when a document is e-filed or filed in a paper format. An e-filed brief must follow the Redaction Guidelines found on the Supreme Court's website. To create an electronic brief, please consult A Guide to Creating Electronic Appellate Briefs. Step-by-step instructions for how to create an electronic brief using Adobe Acrobat can be reviewed in this video.
- The First Court of Appeals returned to the Harris County 1910 Courthouse effective September 6, 2011. The Rededication Ceremony for the Harris County 1910 Courthouse was held Tuesday, August 23, 2011. Ceremony Program Materials [pdf]
- New! The First Court of Appeals will be closed on Monday, May 28, 2012, to observe a holiday, Memorial Day. See Tex. Gov't Code Ann. §§ 662.003, .004, .021, .022 (West 2004).
- The State Bar of Texas (SBOT) and the Houston Bar Association's Appellate Practice Section (HBA) sponsors and administers a pro bono program. The goal of the program is to match a litigant with a civil appeal, who is financially unable to obtain legal representation, with a volunteer lawyer who agrees to serve without expectation of compensation for their service. If you believe that your civil appellate matter might qualify for inclusion in the SBOT/HBA pro bono program, details can be found in the following places: (1) State Bar of Texas Pro Bono Project, http://tex-app.org/probono.php and (2) Houston Bar Association website http://www.hba.org/folder-sections/sec-appellate.htm.
- All documents filed in parental-rights termination cases or juvenile court cases, except for the docketing statement and appellate record, must use alias names. Tex. R. App. 9.8.
- Effective September 1, 2007, the Court of Criminal Appeals has amended the Certification of the Defendant’s Right of Appeal. See Misc. Docket No. 06-105 [pdf], (Tex. Crim. App. Aug. 20, 2007).
- Information on filing documents in civil cases: New! e-filing is mandatory for attorneys in a civil case [Information on Submission of Electronic Documents] [Local Rule Civil]
- Sample certificates of conference, compliance, and service and sample affidavits of indigence
- Information on filing original proceedings
NOTICE FOR COURT REPORTERS
REPORTER'S RECORD As of November 1, 2010, Reporters' Records must be filed electronically pursuant to this Court's Local Rule for Electronic Reporter's Record. Reporters' records filed electronically with the First Court of Appeals must conform to the Uniform Format Manual for Texas Reporters' Records and be submitted by way of the current TAMES portal. To request access to the TAMES portal please send your name, title, and email address to Filing1st@1stcoa.courts.state.tx.us. Once processed, a password and filing instructions will be e-mailed to you by the Office of Court Administration. Your logon and password will work for both the First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals.
To view or print PDF files you must have the Adobe Acrobat® reader. This software may be obtained without charge from Adobe. Download the reader from the Adobe Web site.
Disclaimer: This web site is maintained as a courtesy to the public. Neither the First Court of Appeals, nor any of its officials and employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information posted on this page, subsequent pages, or any other web site to which the Court provides a link. Use of this web site constitutes your understanding and acceptance of these provisions.
Privacy Statement: The First Court of Appeals respects your privacy. Unless you register for and use CaseMail, this web site does not use "cookies" or collect information through other technological means to personally identify users. However, if you send an electronic mail message to the Court that contains personally identifying information, please note that the message may be subject to public access pursuant to Rule of Judicial Administration 12 and any other applicable law. Click here to view the Office of Court Administration's Privacy and Security Policy, which applies to this web site.
Updated: 08-May-2012
