epcounty.com - 243rd District Court

243rd District Court

Each of the district courts in the County has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. The court sets hearings for pleas, arraignments, summary judgements, default judgments, pre-trial hearings and motions.
The Court is headed by a State District Judge who is elected to a four-year term by the voters of El Paso County.

The 243rd Judicial District Court is a dual docket court handling both felony criminal and general civil cases. Judge Bill D. Hicks was sworn into office on November 22, 2010 following his appointment by Governor Rick Perry to fill the vacated bench left behind when Judge David Guaderrama was appointed a Federal Magistrate Judge. The Court Coordinator is Esmeralda Contreras. The Court Bailiff is Brandon Cano. The Official Court Reporter is Breck Record. The court´s hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a lunch hour of noon to 1:00 p.m., although there is often times someone here before 8:00 and after 5:00.

The Court is bi–lingual, speaking both English and Spanish, although in accordance with state law, all official proceedings will be held in English. Jury trials generally proceed with voir dire being held on Friday and evidence beginning on the following Mondays. Arraignments are generally heard Monday mornings and the Court does accept waivers. Wednesdays are criminal docket days with contested hearings in the afternoons. Thursday mornings will have criminal final judge´s conferences and Thursday afternoons will generally be reserved for civil hearings.

The Court will only allow telephonic appearances on civil hearings with the consent of all other parties, and when no testimony or evidence is expected to be presented. Additionally, any party wishing to participate by telephone must understand the limits of our technology and accept those limitations and waive any objection imposed by those limitations.

The Court does not provide translators for civil proceedings. The Court does provide translators for criminal proceedings, although we share the translators with all of the other courts in the courthouse, and so there may be a delay having a translator available at any given time.

The Court welcomes attorneys and the public to visit the offices of the court, have a cup of coffee and get to know your justice system at work.

Judge Bill D. Hicks welcomes the opportunity to speak to civic groups about the justice system, jury service and the importance of understanding what happens inside the courthouse.