Texas Court Exhibit Requirements
A comprehensive guide to preparing exhibits for Texas courts under TRCP Rule 194.4, including eFileTexas requirements, the TRCP 193.7 authentication presumption, and county-specific rules.
Quick Reference
Updated 2025-01-1525 MB individual
PX-1, PX-2...
DX-1, DX-2...
Per docket control order
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
Requires disclosure of each exhibit at least 30 days before trial, separately identifying expected vs. contingent offers.
Authentication Presumption
TRCP Rule 193.7
Documents produced in discovery presumed authentic for use against producing party. Objections waived if not raised within 10 days.
E-Filing System
Mandatory since 2019. 25 MB individual, 35 MB combined. Text-searchable PDFs at 300 DPI minimum.
Key Deadlines
Docket Control Order
Deadlines set per court's docket control order. Most require 5-30 days before trial for exhibit exchange.
TRCP Rule 193.7: Self-Authentication Advantage
Texas provides a powerful streamlining provision for exhibit authentication. Under TRCP 193.7, documents produced during discovery are presumed authentic for use against the party that produced them. This eliminates the need for foundation testimony in many cases.
- Documents produced in discovery presumed authentic
- Authenticity objections waived unless raised within 10 days
- Significantly reduces foundation requirements at trial
Overview
Texas courts use eFileTexas for mandatory electronic filing since 2019. Exhibit requirements are governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (TRCP), particularly Rule 194.4 for disclosures and Rule 193.7 for authentication. Each of the 254 counties may have additional local rules.
Key principle: Texas courts operate under docket control orders that specify exhibit deadlines and procedures. Always review your case's specific docket order. Major metro areas like Harris, Dallas, Travis, and Tarrant counties have established local practices.
eFileTexas Technical Requirements
File Format & Size
Document Specifications
- PDF format required (TRCP Rule 21(f))
- 25 MB individual file limit
- 35 MB combined limit
Quality Standards
- Text-searchable PDFs preferred
- 300 DPI minimum for scanned docs
- No password protection
Texas Exhibit Numbering Conventions
Standard Texas Conventions
Plaintiff Exhibits
- PX-1, PX-2, PX-3... (common)
- Or: P-1, P-2, P-3...
- Or: Numbers 1, 2, 3...
Defendant Exhibits
- DX-1, DX-2, DX-3... (common)
- Or: D-1, D-2, D-3...
- Or: Numbers starting at 100 or 500
Dallas County: No Group Designations
Dallas County prohibits group designation of exhibits. Each exhibit must be identified separately with its own exhibit number. Materials must be filed by 4-5 PM Thursday/Wednesday before trial per court scheduling.
County-Specific Requirements
Harris County (Houston)
Electronic filing through eFileTexas. Many courts use Box file-sharing for exhibit submission. Exhibits due 5 days before formal pretrial conference.
Dallas County
Prohibits group designation of exhibits - each must be identified separately. Materials filed by 4-5 PM Thursday/Wednesday before trial.
Travis County (Austin)
Detailed "Instructions for Electronic Exhibits" requiring Box file sharing. Exhibits uploaded 12 hours before hearing. Pre-marked with stickers, named "P-1," "R-1."
Tarrant County (Fort Worth)
All exhibits must be marked, exchanged, and examined by counsel prior to trial commencement.
Local Rule 3.03(c)Common eFileTexas Issues
File Size Exceeded (25 MB/35 MB)
Solution: Split large exhibits into parts. Label clearly (e.g., "Exhibit PX-5, Part 1 of 3"). Harris County courts use Box file-sharing for larger submissions.
Dallas: Group Exhibit Designation
Solution: Dallas County prohibits grouping documents under one exhibit. Each document must have its own exhibit number with separate identification.
Travis County: Missing Box Upload
Solution: Travis County requires exhibits uploaded to Box at least 12 hours before hearing. Files must be pre-marked with stickers and named "P-1," "R-1" format.
Non-Searchable PDFs
Solution: Run OCR on scanned documents. Texas courts prefer text-searchable PDFs at 300 DPI minimum. ExhibitPrep preserves source document searchability.
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Texas Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours manually preparing labels.
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time. Stamp unlimited exhibits for one low price.
eFileTexas Ready
Texas court-ready PX/DX formatting. Export individual files within 25 MB limit.
ExhibitPrep Configuration for Texas Courts
Recommended Settings
Exhibit Format
Use "PX-[number]" for plaintiff or "DX-[number]" for defendant (e.g., "PX-1", "DX-1"). Match any conventions specified in the docket control order.
Stamp Position
Bottom-right corner is standard. Ensure stamps don't obscure document content. Travis County requires stickers for physical exhibits.
Export Format
Individual files under 25 MB for eFileTexas. Combined PDF acceptable up to 35 MB. Harris County may require Box upload for large exhibits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the TRCP Rule 194.4 exhibit disclosure requirements?
TRCP 194.4 requires disclosure of each exhibit at least 30 days before trial, separately identifying items expected to be offered vs. those that may be offered if needed. This ensures opposing counsel has proper notice.
How does TRCP 193.7 help with exhibit authentication?
TRCP 193.7 provides that documents produced in discovery are presumed authentic for use against the producing party. Authenticity objections are waived unless raised within 10 days. This significantly reduces foundation requirements at trial.
What is the eFileTexas size limit?
eFileTexas limits individual files to 25 MB and combined filings to 35 MB. For larger exhibits, split into multiple parts. Harris County courts sometimes use Box file-sharing for large submissions.
What are Harris County exhibit requirements?
Harris County requires e-filing through eFileTexas. Many courts use Box file-sharing for exhibits. Exhibits are typically due 5 days before the formal pretrial conference. Text-searchable PDFs at 300 DPI preferred.
Why does Dallas prohibit group designation?
Dallas County prohibits grouping documents under one exhibit number to ensure clear identification at trial. Each exhibit must be identified separately. Materials must be filed by 4-5 PM Thursday/Wednesday before trial.
What are Travis County electronic exhibit requirements?
Travis County requires exhibits uploaded to Box at least 12 hours before hearing, pre-marked with stickers, and named with proper prefixes like 'P-1' for plaintiff or 'R-1' for respondent.
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