40th Judicial District Court

Jurisdiction

Within the jurisdiction of Ellis County, the 40th Judicial District Court presides over the following:

• Criminal cases involving felonies or official misconduct
• Grand jury organization and supervision
• Civil cases in matters of controversy involving more than $100,000 or the title to land
• Juvenile cases involving determinate sentencing or certification for trial as an adult
• Other miscellaneous cases in which this court shares jurisdiction with other Ellis County courts

Local Rules for the Ellis County Judiciary:

• Local Rules Effective December 1, 2025
• Standing Order CIV-40-001

Civil Forms:

• ORDER SETTING IN PERSON HEARING
• SCHEDULING ORDER (JURY TRIAL)
• 2025 JURY TRIAL SCHEDULE
• 2026 JURY TRIAL SCHEDULE
• SCHEDULING ORDER (NON-JURY BENCH TRIAL)
• 2025 NON-JURY BENCH TRIAL SCHEDULE
• 2026 NON-JURY BENCH TRIAL SCHEDULE

Civil Cases:

GUARDIAN AD LITEM, ATTORNEY AD LITEM, and MEDIATOR ROTATING LISTS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 37 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE

Criminal Cases:

COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY ROTATING LIST FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANTS

Criminal Forms:

• Agreed Continuance
• Defense Claim for Services and Expenses (Pay sheet)
• Order Granting/Denying Motion Continuance - Criminal Jury Trial Docket
• Trial Setting Slip

COVID-19  Historical Announcements

• JOINT COVID-19 MITIGATION AND DOCKET CONTROL PLAN
  
• Letter Supplement to Joint COVID-19 Docket Control Plan
• Approved Re-Certification Request for Court Operating Plan

  (Emphasis on Additional Requirements for In-Person Proceedings)

• Court Operating Plan for Ellis County