[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6210092,"mediaKeyId","3726556-edea71f315ccff001603d3c4e32ae32e","parentId",3726556,"title","Flores v. Santa Cruz hearing postponed after parent/guardian fails to appear","audioSeconds",1650,"startMs",207000,"endMs",1857000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3726556-edea71f315ccff001603d3c4e32ae32e&start=207&end=1857","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3726556-edea71f315ccff001603d3c4e32ae32e/thumbnail_207000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210092/Texas/Flores-v-Santa-Cruz-hearing-postponed-after-parentguardian-fails-to-appear","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210092-8c0982f52e9c255e9cb0f23ef6847388/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936525&Signature=nwUg~1sGZHE1iKrGX3-XmAWr-l9MbvwSdEICRsGMZzxl6RAlwhq5d5jJsbLN44UxvoBiEmu6N9O2Um5Ja7XKAoww5DjnzyHhS8z8hLL6thbTjsjD0mNUpComxWLXz~nIRljHKwJIeKvNhttpZ1lxFyqHoFh25nLggw-LhGmooB3Sc~-XrkukZ-8GXtg-wc7y8wgSHNPtd4anDQPoN18JK9tEp-EUK~DjwbDZq4~7iLHbkFkCjEaztnmpfc-VI~c6d17TQqkDwa8spOYVx325H6z2qnzUVElBFuaMyvpkT~gNWYkwVGw9tdJhEbaJPJJ4dt~ido67qfLAw73dwazN1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-09T14:18:28Z","article","The court postponed the Flores v. Santa Cruz Landscaping matter on June 9, 2025, after the guardian/parent required for a minor settlement proof-up could not be located on the remote call.

Judge Amy Clark Meacham said the case could not proceed without the parent or guardian present. Counsel for the parties reported they had been unable to reach the parent and that the phone was going to voicemail. The judge allowed the parties time to attempt to locate the guardian and then directed that the matter be reset through court administration if the guardian could not be found.

Ruben Rios appeared for Synod Santa Cruz Landscaping and Ben Kittlegrad appeared for the plaintiff. The court did not hear testimony or make a final ruling on the merits because the necessary witness — the parent/guardian — was absent. The judge instructed counsel to coordinate with court administration to reset the hearing if the guardian could not be reached within the brief waiting period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judge's Personal Meeting Room","oneSentenceSummary","A hearing in GND-?? (Flores v. Santa Cruz Landscaping) was postponed because the parent or guardian required for a minor settlement proof-up was not present; parties were instructed to reset the matter through court administration.","taxTitle","Travis County 201st District Court, District Court Judges, Judicial, Texas","taxId",66312,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6210098,"Judge grants short continuance in McCrary v. Alcedo but denies reopening discovery",629,2820000,3449000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3726556-edea71f315ccff001603d3c4e32ae32e&start=2820&end=3449","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3726556-edea71f315ccff001603d3c4e32ae32e/thumbnail_2820000.jpg","/articles/6210098/Texas/Judge-grants-short-continuance-in-McCrary-v-Alcedo-but-denies-reopening-discovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210098-18e0b73f2791e3959271a714bf9c20a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936525&Signature=O7xwHFUs~foFg98Ig92THtAVovCbx3Eh5e1rXRMlHobBOK2JWENJ2oIIHti5ILuTXqxZtDVOwO8vdSTKEas~kvp1c48FlaCWA5C0ltyfzU-90iFpHm~k9BUp~drv6t0gS-tjSEjEoa3i81ZngvjGeQD1o-fpGSqfHJ4zNsXndcL8~fbsuMlgNQMqT6gUN78~eQQHUoS~nQo0qxqTd36HVTS412hYw4OHwtNr3zWOaL2GVZZHHF0II5-8crldbpFIIQX-QqRM~4txK2c5m3GoRoBrs1HBb9ikmqIZY4TsuGKVBNI5h1SYxVO89pwNcrckXgwumJMvIWZxpNI6TkF5BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Judge Amy Clark Meacham granted a continuance in GND-22-5766, Stephen McCrary v. Cameron Alcedo, on June 9, 2025, moving the trial setting to September 22, 2025, while declining to reopen discovery for additional depositions tied to the pending summary-judgment motion.

Defense counsel Jay McGregor asked for a short continuance because his client is studying abroad and unavailable for the current June trial date; he also said he wanted to take one witness deposition (Ariel Turner) to oppose a plaintiff’s summary-judgment motion. Plaintiff counsel Leslie Warren said she did not oppose the continuance but opposed reopening discovery to take the additional deposition at this stage.

Judge Meacham said the request for a continuance was reasonable and granted it. She specifically declined to permit reopening discovery to take new depositions and denied any request that would delay the pending summary-judgment hearing. The judge instructed counsel to work with court administration to reschedule the trial and to submit an agreed scheduling order (exhibit and witness lists and new deadlines) to the court’s 201.submission@traviscountytx.gov address.

During the hearing the judge also warned counsel about recent legislative reporting requirements affecting continuances in the state’s top six counties, noting that the new 11-82 reporting obligation has placed “unintentional consequences” on how judges handle continuance requests. She said that despite the reporting requirement she would grant the requested short continuance but that attorneys should be mindful of the reporting consequences in future requests.

Judge Meacham directed the parties to coordinate a new scheduling order and to confirm availability for the September trial date with court administration.","The court granted the defendant’s motion for a continuance to a September 2025 trial date but refused to reopen discovery for new depositions related to a pending summary-judgment motion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6210102,"Court approves settlements for two minors in Smith v. Pitts Construction; orders guardian-ad-litem fee paid by defendants",754,1957000,2711000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3726556-edea71f315ccff001603d3c4e32ae32e&start=1957&end=2711","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3726556-edea71f315ccff001603d3c4e32ae32e/thumbnail_1957000.jpg","/articles/6210102/Texas/Court-approves-settlements-for-two-minors-in-Smith-v-Pitts-Construction-orders-guardian-ad-litem-fee-paid-by-defendants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210102-9b62d846ffce8c76040791d57a13e096/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936525&Signature=GgUbpEP-CUbWOavd2e6NOTbxZXIDvzMIdIKHEWFaesZk1qY8ALjr9ofrqV7PSUuvdRKt5DXMskZh-sN0fGxxa42g-7D6pv~cNLT3JSLZDm51qtkto89QDLd7l0ku-lrt8IhDD7PWrfGrV7HS3gY5iFM7WEt0Lx31f6egvFjnVYzIX-xvPksYdJuj9njV01AFK5-GExHI~Bv9orv9sPnU0opMIw0qYKZBAvPE9o~jubkzOuIGApq9yM6niKB7ZwRq8E7-vyP-~c8ELtV~cVOpiyvLAqgiMItffjVQEXEmZmNO-JncAMT6fMwlhX6tI6q6nigkyByLJpQHV62Q2hbAPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Judge Amy Clark Meacham approved settlement agreements in GND-24-5646, Smith and Topsy v. Pitts Construction, on June 9, 2025, and ordered a $750 guardian ad litem fee to be paid by the defendants.

Guardian ad litem Walter Dean and the two guardians/parents testified that both children had received emergency care and follow-up chiropractic treatment after separate crashes in 2023. Sharmika Smith and Tina Topsy confirmed on the record that they had discussed settlement options with counsel and believed the settlements were in the minors’ best interests.

The transcript records a total settlement of $11,500 for one minor (plaintiff shorthand on the record) and a total settlement of $16,800 for the other minor. For the $16,800 matter the record shows $8,600 in medical expenses and a net deposit to the court registry of $5,203.45 after attorney fees; the transcript lists the $5,743.25 amount as medical expenses for that child during clarification by opposing counsel. The court directed that the settlement funds be deposited in the registry of the court until each child reaches age 18.

Judge Meacham said she had reviewed the submissions and, “having heard the evidence, the court is going to approve this settlement on behalf of both J.O. and S.S. and the amounts therein in order to be deposited in the registry of the court. Order a $750 fee to Mr. Dean payable by the defendants.” The clerk was directed to process the orders sent to the court’s 201.submission@traviscountytx.gov address.

The court emphasized to the guardian ad litem that additional paperwork (W-9s, Social Security numbers and registry-account set-up) is required to ensure the registry deposits are placed in the correct accounts and earn interest for the children.","The court approved settlement agreements in GND-24-5646 for two minor plaintiffs and ordered a $750 fee for the guardian ad litem to be paid by the defendants; funds to be deposited in the court registry.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6210106,"Judge approves settlement for two minors in Gutierrez v. Trane Technologies",1057,712000,1769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3726556-edea71f315ccff001603d3c4e32ae32e&start=712&end=1769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3726556-edea71f315ccff001603d3c4e32ae32e/thumbnail_712000.jpg","/articles/6210106/Texas/Judge-approves-settlement-for-two-minors-in-Gutierrez-v-Trane-Technologies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210106-8064786e1719b21dc64f6d1666e426b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936525&Signature=FnanOi~YHNewGDD77eRYvbjixEXxllyIUhl1JJBEqT2jgErUmrWdYoKX5sNBLFqjzuF8pJnulnzdyuQxn7ZY0tqVvv~Vavf-HWzbQtG7iBIFmTChwPXZACAZU7oOhuSxRFz3fXS4V8HM7D6lMcuDpT7ltX-8DYgB1FQ91~oLGsRyI6ZMagMHsJc7MZPilD4Bah662UgrlnpWw~cl4hIGE~wD2O3cBx6R827LTfBbQFl3jzPUKn9zMNMMV6rNVotlvcdQk0EEaSmT2ig7HXTTsAVmkDg4ENrlZ66YbU3uziGypQ0ChUaVCARtbJ3DPrSy3CS9QiTehEpCZcld5nsjhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Judge Amy Clark Meacham approved settlement agreements in GND-21-4433, Nancy Gutierrez v. Trane Technologies, during a June 9, 2025 remote hearing and signed the final judgment as presented to the court.

The court approved the settlements after testimony from the minors’ guardian ad litem, Luke Dowd, who told the court the offers were “fair and reasonable” and described the medical care and fees. Parent Nancy Gutierrez answered questions through a licensed Spanish interpreter and confirmed she understood the settlement and that she was asking the court to approve it.

According to testimony on the record, Yannick Gutierrez’s total recovery was listed as $30,000 and, after attorney fees, his net recovery was stated to be $20,100. Yannick’s recovery was to be placed in a structured settlement through Pacific Life and paid in four payments of $7,258.94 beginning when he turns 18, the transcript shows. Mark Gutierrez’s settlement was listed as $20,000, with a net recovery after fees of $13,400; the transcript records a Pacific Life structured payout for him as well, with four payments of $3,826.38.

Luke Dowd testified that Yannick’s injury was a nondisplaced tibia fracture treated without surgery and that Mark had follow-up care but was doing well. Dowd also stated the guardian ad litem’s fee would be paid by the defense and not deducted from the minors’ shares.

After hearing testimony and reviewing the file, Judge Meacham said, “Having heard the testimony and reviewed the file in this matter, the court is going to approve this settlement agreement and sign off on the final judgment as presented to the court.” The court then excused the parties.

The file notes that final judgments and any confidential materials should be sent to the court’s 201.submission@traviscountytx.gov email address for processing.","The 201st District Court approved settlement agreements for two minor children injured in a 2021 car crash; the judge signed the final judgment as presented after testimony and recommendations from the guardian ad litem.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Flores v. Santa Cruz hearing postponed after parent/guardian fails to appear

Judge grants short continuance in McCrary v. Alcedo but denies reopening discovery

Court approves settlements for two minors in Smith v. Pitts Construction; orders guardian-ad-litem fee paid by defendants

Judge approves settlement for two minors in Gutierrez v. Trane Technologies