Court Rules
Chief Judge

Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Eastern District of Texas
Filters:AllMandatoryJuryTRO/InjunctionCourtroom Conduct

Document Filing Requirements6 rules

Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

All visitors, except a witness while testifying, and an attorney while examining a witness or making a statement to a jury, must wear an appropriate face mask or covering while inside the Sherman Courthouses in courtrooms, jury rooms, public hallways, public restrooms, and elevators, unless excused from this requirement by the judge.

Summary: All visitors must wear masks in Sherman Courthouses except witnesses testifying and attorneys examining witnesses or addressing juries.

Document Type

General

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

For court employees and other tenants of the Sherman Courthouses who are fully vaccinated for COVID-191, the wearing of an appropriate face mask or covering while inside the Sherman Courthouses is required, unless excused from this requirement by the judge;

Summary: Fully vaccinated court employees and tenants must wear masks in Sherman Courthouses unless excused by judge.

Document Type

General

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Each person must maintain appropriate distancing from others in the Sherman Courthouses, to include sitting at the location assigned by a member of the court staff. Each person must follow the instructions of the court staff and Court Security Officers to aid in maintaining distance in the Sherman Courthouses;

Summary: All persons must maintain social distancing and follow staff instructions in Sherman Courthouses.

Document Type

General

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Persons entering the Sherman Courthouses, other than jurors, must supply their own face mask or covering;

Summary: All persons except jurors must bring their own masks when entering Sherman Courthouses.

Document Type

General

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Each person must use the hand sanitizer furnished at the front door upon entering the Sherman Courthouses.

Summary: All persons must use hand sanitizer at front door when entering Sherman Courthouses.

Document Type

General

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

For court employees and other tenants of the Sherman Courthouses who are not fully vaccinated, the wearing of an appropriate face mask or covering while inside the Sherman Courthouses is required, unless excused from this requirement by the judge;

Summary: Unvaccinated court employees and tenants must wear masks in Sherman Courthouses unless excused by judge.

Document Type

General

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.

Filing & Service rules

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Pretrial motions in criminal cases are referred to magistrate judges, except for specific motions.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A), all pretrial motions in Sherman Division criminal cases assigned to United States District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, with the exception of motions to suppress evidence, to dismiss or quash an indictment or information made by the defendant, to continue, to sever, and to transfer venue, are hereby REFERRED to United States Magistrate Judge Bill Davis or United States Magistrate Judge Aileen Goldman Durrett, as randomly assigned by the Clerk of Court, for consideration and hearing as deemed necessary, and a determination.

Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Referral Order

Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

Attorneys with less than 7 years experience who argue motions receive preferential treatment including increased likelihood of oral argument, additional time, and permission for multiple attorneys to argue.

The Court recognizes a growing trend in which fewer cases go to trial and there are generally fewer opportunities for attorneys to speak in court. This is especially true for newer attorneys, that is, attorneys practicing for less than seven years (Newer Attorney(s)). 1. If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue a motion, after the briefing is ripe, the party should contact the law clerk to request oral argument and inform the clerk that a Newer Attorney will argue the motion or a portion of the motion. 2. If such a request is made, the Court will: a. Grant the request for oral argument, if it is at all practicable to do so. b. Permit sufficient additional time for oral argument beyond what the Court otherwise may have allocated were a Newer Attorney not arguing. c. Permit more experienced counsel of record to speak on the motion as well, where appropriate, during oral argument.

Machine summary. Not checked yet.

Page 1 | STANDING ORDER REGARDING COURTROOM OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNGER ATTORNEYS

Court will grant oral argument requests for newer attorneys if practicable, provide extra time, allow experienced counsel to speak, and suggest opposing counsel reciprocate.

If such a request is made, the Court will: a. Grant the request for oral argument, if it is at all practicable to do so. b. Permit sufficient additional time for oral argument beyond what the Court otherwise may have allocated were a Newer Attorney not arguing. c. Permit more experienced counsel of record to speak on the motion as well, where appropriate, during oral argument. d. Notify opposing counsel if such a request is granted and suggest opposing counsel reciprocate by permitting a Newer Attorney to make its argument.

Machine summary. Not checked yet.

Page 1 | 2. If such a request is made, the Court will:

Parties must contact law clerk to request oral argument by newer attorney after briefing is complete.

If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue a motion, after the briefing is ripe, the party should contact the law clerk to request oral argument and inform the clerk that a Newer Attorney will argue the motion or a portion of the motion.

Machine summary. Not checked yet.

Page 1 | 1. If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue a motion...

About Chief United States District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III

[Biography Link](http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/nGetInfo?jid=3584&cid=999&ctype=na&instate=na)

Judicial Assistant - Terri Scott Courtroom Deputy - Keary Conrad Court Reporter - Chris Bickham Law Clerk - Alexis Pineda Law Clerk - Cole Weiss Law Clerk - Sonia Gonzalez Law Clerk - Greyson Addicott Mailing Address Paul Brown United States Courthouse 101 East Pecan Street Sherman, TX 75090 Phone : (903) 893-7008 FAX : (903) 893-9067 Mailing Address Paul Brown United States Courthouse 101 East Pecan Street Sherman, TX 75090 Phone: (903) 893-7008 FAX: (903) 893-9067

Common questions about Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III's rules

Does Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Pretrial motions in criminal cases are referred to magistrate judges, except for specific motions.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Referral Order

What must be included with general filings before Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III?

The rule requires mask requirement. All visitors must wear masks in Sherman Courthouses except witnesses testifying and attorneys examining witnesses or addressing juries.

View ruleSource: page 1, section a

Does Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Parties must contact law clerk to request oral argument by newer attorney after briefing is complete.

View ruleSource: page 1, section 1. If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue a motion...
Complete rules summary for Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III

Parties must contact law clerk to request oral argument by newer attorney after briefing is complete.

Attorneys with less than 7 years experience who argue motions receive preferential treatment including increased likelihood of oral argument, additional time, and permission for multiple attorneys to argue.

Court will grant oral argument requests for newer attorneys if practicable, provide extra time, allow experienced counsel to speak, and suggest opposing counsel reciprocate.

All visitors must wear masks in Sherman Courthouses except witnesses testifying and attorneys examining witnesses or addressing juries.

Fully vaccinated court employees and tenants must wear masks in Sherman Courthouses unless excused by judge.

Unvaccinated court employees and tenants must wear masks in Sherman Courthouses unless excused by judge.

All persons except jurors must bring their own masks when entering Sherman Courthouses.

All persons must maintain social distancing and follow staff instructions in Sherman Courthouses.

All persons must use hand sanitizer at front door when entering Sherman Courthouses.

Pretrial motions in criminal cases are referred to magistrate judges, except for specific motions.

More Judges in Eastern District of Texas

Bill Davis
Magistrate Judge
Bill Parker
Bankruptcy
Boone Baxter
Magistrate Judge
Brenda T. Rhoades
Bankruptcy
Christine L. Stetson
Magistrate Judge
Don Bush
Visiting
J. Campbell Barker
Judge
Jeremy D. Kernodle
Judge