[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6144417,"mediaKeyId","5534113-380f79ce3ed064efb170bb4cc76395e9","parentId",5534113,"title","Judge requires discovery certification before sentencing, flags wrong electronic forms","audioSeconds",1723,"startMs",7719000,"endMs",9442000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534113-380f79ce3ed064efb170bb4cc76395e9&start=7719&end=9442","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534113-380f79ce3ed064efb170bb4cc76395e9/thumbnail_7719000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6144417/Texas/Judge-requires-discovery-certification-before-sentencing-flags-wrong-electronic-forms","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6144417-c2ca75b9238b2ad4620dae55ca881969/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109818&Signature=Q8bjBS8syxukUPxIWtpAXPDbDje-WyS~trhoLqdhiSLECsWHJ1iPuXknGT8OwJpA5MnfPMVQ6Rv9k~VaZftfra5mwiPKgkFJXPXNvU85gM49FalQZPorbbeNQ8~3nxsRNOqlDJpjYVIoZ0hU5Edmp3w9hviKFEgTHNJX3q0yyTLSGQEs-cksOOHn3m4QiEM9gBVef6iPrSKgW6D5jsaTvGfnDzBa-UUZljx0yMCPfNbMGPrG-Lompmw3kwT6GVmnQiQ~pQC21sHDAfaFpSYhj06sRJ34vxpq-OBfQWtjZxXrkrvChv1b1ctrbu8~hj2oTQ23ow6QjD-BUjRYSNNuJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-08-05T04:10:52Z","article","During the docket the presiding judge directed defense counsel to sign a discovery certification and submit the portal attachment by email before sentencing in cases where sentencing was scheduled. The judge told counsel to locate “that black box right there” to sign the certification and to email the portal attachment to the clerk so the court would have a record that counsel reviewed discovery prior to sentencing.

The judge also identified and corrected an administrative paperwork issue: some attorneys completed the wrong digital form (a TDC form) instead of the state-jail-specific form required for state-jail felonies. The court instructed counsel to delete the incorrect form on the tablet and to use the state-jail-specific form because it contains management fields required for state-jail cases.

Why it matters: the court’s instructions ensure the record shows counsel reviewed discovery and that sentencing occurs with complete documentation. Using the correct electronic forms matters for case processing; the judge removed the wrong submission in open court and directed attorneys to re-enter the correct state-jail paperwork.

Procedural steps ordered: the judge required that the discovery certification be signed immediately at the hearing and that counsel send the portal email to the clerk “if possible today.” The court noted that once a case is closed the portal may no longer be accessible, so timely submission is necessary. For state-jail matters the court instructed defense counsel to select the “state jail” form rather than a TDC form; the judge said she would delete incorrectly filed forms and asked counsel to replace them.

Ending: The court emphasized administrative completeness before sentencing and directed counsel and clerks to correct electronic filing mistakes promptly to avoid delays at sentencing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judge Raquel West's Personal Meeting Room","oneSentenceSummary","The court instructed counsel to sign and file a discovery certification before sentencing and corrected an administrative error where attorneys used the wrong digital form (TDC vs state-jail); the judge directed clerks and attorneys on how to submit required paperwork to the court portal.","taxTitle","252nd District Court, District Court Judges, Judicial, Texas","taxId",66306,"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},6144423,"Court accepts multiple guilty pleas, defers sentencing and orders pre-sentence reports",2047,4952000,6999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534113-380f79ce3ed064efb170bb4cc76395e9&start=4952&end=6999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534113-380f79ce3ed064efb170bb4cc76395e9/thumbnail_4952000.jpg","/articles/6144423/Texas/Court-accepts-multiple-guilty-pleas-defers-sentencing-and-orders-pre-sentence-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6144423-05884bcb8e4f44b8eac9b50f50b51f7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109818&Signature=QRhrInz5xIwt0WF-vdKi~7xwd9A07Y3IS8suxMJ7omrFioxGY~bhUZH1IAuCu9gTaqVZGh3D4yuokOlB51k8Qs9wXG0qscbilJ2M5IndO5KNud4c1Z4SVmWgRO12CHIC2yUfvWBJ~qhN8C4pjuY~opYqi~cyYz5EsYjxijgINeRuZ~ViHUgdZryvbpm3z~DaSI4QpALlRuJAfqvIU-EoFSngs1xCXe8K-pS47yXvct~Cj0TUPHQMWR1JEm~35zRbueQ-t1qVh0w69dL078IgLg6ZNWbRSi5R-GiZO0DWpwY7mmkBue~lcZMXpZU838o2GluHj9yYtL95RbQjnXAfQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county criminal court accepted guilty pleas from several defendants during a lengthy docket and, in multiple cases, deferred sentencing and ordered pre-sentence reports. The judge found pleas entered “freely and voluntarily,” found defendants competent to plead, and in many cases followed plea agreements that included deferred probation terms and fines.

Why it matters: deferred adjudication or deferred probation avoids an immediate felony conviction if a defendant completes probation, but failure to comply can lead to revocation and prison time. The court’s routine acceptance of plea agreements and deferrals shapes case outcomes for people charged with serious offenses.

Notable plea outcomes: Carl Ross pleaded guilty to a second-degree felony charge for a collision involving death and to a third-degree felony related to a collision causing serious bodily injury; the judge accepted the pleas, found sufficient evidence, and reset Ross for sentencing with a 10-year deferred probation recommended by the parties and a $1,000 fine in each case to be part of the agreement. Xavier Clayton pleaded guilty to assault on a peace officer; the court recorded an agreement calling for five years of deferred probation and a $500 fine, and the court reset Clayton for sentencing so probation could prepare a pre-sentence report. Gracie Cassidy, who entered a guilty plea earlier, appeared for sentencing; the court followed the plea agreement, deferred proceedings, and placed her on four years’ probation with a $500 fine and instructions about supervision transfer to Georgia. James Ward, who had previously pleaded guilty to robbery, was placed on five years’ probation under a plea agreement that included a $500 fine and specified no-contact and location-restriction conditions.

Court procedure and safeguards: before accepting pleas the judge confirmed on the record that defendants had reviewed plea paperwork with counsel and that they understood the consequences, including the federal immigration consequences for noncitizens. The court frequently told defendants that if the probation officer finds cause, pre-sentence reports would be prepared and sentencing would follow. In at least one case the court waived the pre-sentence report at sentencing after conferring with the state.

Examples of court language: the judge repeatedly asked defendants, “Are you pleading guilty freely and voluntarily?” and admonished noncitizen defendants that “a plea of guilty or no contest may result in your deportation, exclusion from admission to the country, or denial of naturalization under federal law.” The court also noted the range of possible punishment (for example, 5 years to 99 years or life for a first-degree aggravated assault allegation) when explaining options to defendants rejecting offers and electing trial.

Ending: Most guilty pleas accepted during the docket were followed by resets for sentencing, pre-sentence reports, or specified probation conditions and fines; the court stressed that compliance with probation terms can avoid a felony conviction but that violations could lead to revocation and imprisonment.","The court accepted several guilty pleas during the docket, entered deferred-probation agreements with fines in several cases, and reset cases for sentencing pending pre-sentence reports or other conditions.",{"_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},6144428,"Judge orders defendants to consult three attorneys or risk bond increase",759,3363000,4122000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534113-380f79ce3ed064efb170bb4cc76395e9&start=3363&end=4122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534113-380f79ce3ed064efb170bb4cc76395e9/thumbnail_3363000.jpg","/articles/6144428/Texas/Judge-orders-defendants-to-consult-three-attorneys-or-risk-bond-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6144428-d917626eb3d581fcacf228c89121fce2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109818&Signature=NPFP4At3pncG0zPaefsS51gzcfjqYp3T~Ovvec5-7iu1M6JsCrbMHYmA1VtDruGMaFsOXe6Ng4qqMhBgk~Qy3SgJyG27cIjWPTd5hY2KE9UfHERvl2Dzce~Pu26Tbr04o5CX7fPcdhQgju~TOx37QkdSIRKthtV2JNyPSl4Hr71i8E3Tb-aytD8bsqUgg0qwnxjMQXy5avMElPzxISqro~cS6T8Zq1kkP1pzUlvTFdKYTOWHhsol04ctUzw6ql9n8QzLofRoZlq0x8sfmRg2489~xqaxQWkXKp6cClI0Rw89diPVTKn95wV7bbBl5UMydGrlAvXYBoFXQJHvilC2oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a county criminal docket, the presiding judge ordered multiple defendants who had made bond to consult with at least three attorneys and return in about 30 days with either a retained lawyer or the names of attorneys they had contacted. The judge warned that failure to follow that instruction could lead to a bond increase or other court action.

The instruction was applied at routine initial appearances and arraignments across several cases. The judge told Bonita Graham during her initial appearance that, because she had made bond, she needed “to try another 30 days at least” and to “talk to at least 3 others” and bring back the names if she could not hire counsel. The judge repeated the same requirement to multiple other defendants, including Tammy Ferrell, Sarah Henderson, Mikayla Marcantel, Jeremiah Paya, Dalton Fraget, and others.

Why it matters: defendants who appear after making bond are not automatically entitled to court-appointed counsel, so the judge used the reset period to require active efforts to secure representation. The judge stated repeatedly that bringing the names of attorneys contacted would document the defendant’s efforts; if defendants did not comply, the judge said she might “raise your bond for not following that court order,” which could result in remand to custody.

Details and examples: during the docket the judge instructed Tammy Ferrell that the court would have her fill out paperwork to see if she qualified for a court-appointed attorney because she reported she was not working. To Sarah Henderson the judge granted a normal ~30-day reset after Henderson said she had recently switched jobs and needed “maybe 2 more weeks” to pay for counsel; the judge reiterated that if Henderson could not hire counsel she should return with the names of the lawyers she had contacted. Jeremiah Paya said he had talked to attorneys but could not afford the fees; the judge ordered another 30-day reset and again required proof of contacts and a pay stub when he returned. For several defendants the judge combined the instruction with an order to “step in front of the clerk” to get the reset notice and, when appropriate, to fill out the indigency/court-appointed counsel paperwork.

Court’s stated rationale and limits: the judge explained that defendants who are in custody typically receive court-appointed counsel, but defendants who post bond are expected to make a demonstrable effort to hire private counsel while on bond. The judge repeatedly framed the three-attorney requirement as a minimum and said defendants could contact “10, however many” attorneys if needed to find an affordable option. The admonition was procedural: it required defendants either to retain counsel or to document their efforts; it did not automatically require appointment of counsel absent an indigency finding.

Process notes: the court combined the instruction with standard administrative steps: defendants were given reset dates (generally about 30 days), directed to obtain reset notices from the clerk, and in some cases directed to complete affidavits for court-appointed counsel if they reported inability to pay. The judge emphasized that the affidavit must be filled out accurately and sworn under oath.

Ending: Defendants who lacked funds were repeatedly told to return with proof of job status or the names of attorneys contacted. The judge warned that noncompliance could lead to bond reconsideration and to being ordered back into custody.","At an initial-appearance docket, the presiding judge repeatedly ordered defendants who had made bond to consult at least three private attorneys within 30 days, or to return with the names of attorneys they contacted; failure to comply could prompt a bond increase or other consequences.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Judge requires discovery certification before sentencing, flags wrong electronic forms

Court accepts multiple guilty pleas, defers sentencing and orders pre-sentence reports

Judge orders defendants to consult three attorneys or risk bond increase