AI-assisted research summary: This section sets the 51st Judicial District counties and gives listed district judges discretion to sit for one another and handle cases, motions, and injunctions across the connected courts.
Sec. 24.153. 51ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COKE, IRION, SCHLEICHER, STERLING, AND TOM GREEN COUNTIES). (a) The 51st Judicial District is composed of Coke, Irion, Schleicher, Sterling, and Tom Green counties. (b) The terms of the 51st District Court begin: (1) in Coke County on the first Mondays in February and August; (2) in Irion County on the first Mondays in March and September; (3) in Schleicher County on the first Mondays in April and October; (4) in Sterling County on the first Mondays in May and November; and (5) in Tom Green County on the first Mondays in January and June. (c) The judges of the 51st, 119th, 340th, and 391st district courts may, in their discretion, exchange benches and sit for each other without formal order in each county in those districts, including counties in which the districts do not overlap. Any of the judges may, in his own courtroom, try and determine any case or proceeding pending in any of the other courts without having the case transferred, or may sit in any of the other courts and hear and determine any case pending in one of those courts. The judges may try different cases filed in the same court at the same time, and each may occupy his own courtroom or the room of any other court. In case of absence, sickness, or disqualification of any of the judges, any of the other judges may hold court for him. Any of the judges may hear and determine any part or question of a case or proceeding pending in any of the courts, and any of the other judges may complete the hearing and render judgment in the case. Any of the judges may hear and determine motions, petitions for injunction, applications for appointment of receivers, interventions, motions to transfer venue, pleas in abatement, all dilatory pleas, motions for new trials, and all preliminary matters, questions, and proceedings, and may enter judgment or order thereon in the court in which the case is pending without having the case transferred to the court of the acting judge. The judge in whose court the case is pending may proceed to hear, complete, and determine any part or all of the case or other matter and render final judgment. Any of the judges may issue restraining orders and injunctions returnable to any of the other judges or courts. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1337, Sec. 6, eff. Oct. 1, 1999.