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Smith County District Courts

Smith County

Learn the virtual court procedures, who you need to contact, and more about the Smith County District Courts.
Overview

Guide Overview

Civil District Courts hear all family and civil law issues including divorce cases, custody issues, child abuse and neglect (involving the Department of Family and Protective Services, or CPS) cases, cases involving title to land, and civil matters where the amount of money or damages involved is $200 or more.  

This guide contains information on all the District Courts, Associate Courts, and the Smith County Child Support (IV-D) Court.  

Texas Law Help is working with courts around the state to provide you with accurate information. To help improve upon the information that is available, please leave any comments or recommendations in this Virtual Court Content Survey

Research Tips

Common questions about Smith County

The Smith County District Courts are in the Smith County Courthouse at: 

100 N. Broadway 

Tyler, TX 75702 

Phone: (903) 590-1660 
Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

You can use the Smith County District and County Court Record Inquiry tool available on the District Clerk’s webpage. You can also visit the Civil and Family Records Desk. 

You can read How to E-File to learn about E-Filing.  

Public access to Court calendars can be viewed at the County’s Judicial Search Court Calendar. 

Instructions & Forms

Honorable Judge Kerry L. Russell 

100 N. Broadway 

Room 203 

Tyler, TX 75702 
 
Phone: (903) 590-1640 

Watch the 7th District Court's court live stream on YouTube. 

This information is current as of April 26, 2023.  

Checklist Steps

Is this court doing virtual hearings? What platform are they using? Are there any exceptions?
Yes Zoom Contact the Court for virtual hearing procedures and exceptions.

You can visit the 7th District Court's webpage for the most up-to-date information.  

Also read the Guidelines for Zoom Hearings for more virtual guidelines. 

Lastly, read our article on How to Use Zoom to prepare for a virtual hearing on Zoom. 

All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the District Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail. Contact the District Clerk’s Office with any questions at (903) 590-1660 or by using the county’s email tool

All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing. 

Also, read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials for more details on filing. 

Contact the court or use the Request for Setting provided on the court’s webpage. Read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials to learn how to schedule a hearing.  

Possibly. Depending on the complexity of the matter, type of hearing, and the situation, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to see if you can schedule a virtual hearing. 

Each counsel should file a list of all potential exhibits to be offered, provide a copy to opposing counsel, and make all such exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel. This must be completed before the pre-trial conference or at least seven (7) days before trial, whichever occurs first.  

Any objections to admissibility of exhibits must be made at least fifteen (15) days before trial or pre-trial conference, except on leave of Court for good cause. 

The offering party must pre-mark and pre-number their own exhibits prior to trial and must provide a list of exhibits to be offered at trial to the court reporter before jury selection. 

Court staff will contact you after your hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.  

Read Rule 3.3 of the Smith County Rules of Civil Trial for more information on the submission of evidence before a virtual hearing. 

Contact the Court for more information regarding virtual jury trials. 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns. 

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court Coordinator at (903) 560-1643, or by using the county’s mailing system

Honorable Judge Reeve Jackson 

100 N. Broadway 
Room 212 
Tyler, TX 75702 
 
Phone: (903) 590-1625 

Watch the 114th District Court's court live stream on YouTube. 

This information is current as of April 26, 2023.  

Checklist Steps

Is this court doing virtual hearings? What platform are they using? Are there any exceptions?
Yes Zoom Contact the Court for virtual hearing procedures and exceptions.

You can visit the 114th District Court's webpage for the most up-to-date information. Also read the Guidelines for Zoom Hearings for more virtual guidelines. 

Lastly, read our article on How to Use Zoom to prepare for a virtual hearing on Zoom. 

All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the District Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail. Contact the District Clerk’s Office with any questions at (903) 590-1660 or by using the county’s email tool

All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing. 

Also, read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials for more details on filing. 

Contact the court to schedule a hearing. Read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials to learn more on how to schedule a hearing. 

Possibly. Depending on the complexity of the matter, type of hearing, and the situation, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to see if you can schedule a virtual hearing. 

Each counsel should file a list of all potential exhibits to be offered, provide a copy to opposing counsel, and make all such exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel. This must be completed before the pre-trial conference or at least seven (7) days before trial, whichever occurs first.  

Any objections to admissibility of exhibits must be made at least fifteen (15) days before trial or pre-trial conference, except on leave of Court for good cause. 

The offering party must pre-mark and pre-number their own exhibits prior to trial and must provide a list of exhibits to be offered at trial to the court reporter before jury selection. 

Court staff will contact you after your hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.  

Read Rule 3.3 of the Smith County Rules of Civil Trial for more information on the submission of evidence before a virtual hearing. 

Contact the Court for more information regarding virtual jury trials. 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns. 

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court Coordinator at (903) 590-1625, or by using the county’s mailing system.  

Honorable Judge Debby Gunter 

100 N. Broadway 
Room 114 
Tyler, TX 75702 
 
Phone: (903) 590-1792 

This information is current as of April 26, 2023.  

Checklist Steps

Is this court doing virtual hearings? What platform are they using? Are there any exceptions?
No N/A The 241st District Court will no longer be conducting any hearings via Zoom.

You can visit the 241st District Court's webpage for the most up-to-date information.

All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the District Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail. Contact the District Clerk’s Office with any questions at (903) 590-1660 or by using the county’s email tool

All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing. 

Also, read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials for more details on filing. 

Contact the court to schedule a hearing. Read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials to learn more on how to schedule a hearing. 

No. The 241st District Court will no longer be conducting any hearings via Zoom. Contact the Court for more information. 

Each counsel should file a list of all potential exhibits to be offered, provide a copy to opposing counsel, and make all such exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel. This must be completed before the pre-trial conference or at least seven (7) days before trial, whichever occurs first.  

Any objections to admissibility of exhibits must be made at least fifteen (15) days before trial or pre-trial conference, except on leave of Court for good cause. 

The offering party must pre-mark and pre-number their own exhibits prior to trial and must provide a list of exhibits to be offered at trial to the court reporter before jury selection. 

Court staff will contact you after your hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.  

Read Rule 3.3 of the Smith County Rules of Civil Trial for more information on the submission of evidence before a virtual hearing. 

Contact the Court for more information regarding virtual jury trials. 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns. 

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court Administrator at (903) 590-1792 or by using the county’s mailing system.  

Honorable Judge Robert Wilson 

200 East Ferguson Street 

Fifth Floor 
Tyler, TX 75702 
 
Phone: (903) 590-1601 

This information is current as of April 26, 2023.  

Checklist Steps

Is this court doing virtual hearings? What platform are they using? Are there any exceptions?
Unknown N/A Contact the Court for information on virtual hearings.

You can visit the 321st District Court's webpage for the most up-to-date information.  

All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the District Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail. Contact the District Clerk’s Office with any questions at (903) 590-1660 or by using the county’s email tool

All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing. 

Also, read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials for more details on filing. 

Contact the court to schedule a hearing. Read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials to learn more on how to schedule a hearing. 

Possibly. Depending on the complexity of the matter, type of hearing, and the situation, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to see if you can schedule a virtual hearing. 

Each counsel should file a list of all potential exhibits to be offered, provide a copy to opposing counsel, and make all such exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel. This must be completed before the pre-trial conference or at least seven (7) days before trial, whichever occurs first.  

Any objections to admissibility of exhibits must be made at least fifteen (15) days before trial or pre-trial conference, except on leave of Court for good cause. 

The offering party must pre-mark and pre-number their own exhibits prior to trial and must provide a list of exhibits to be offered at trial to the court reporter before jury selection. 

Court staff will contact you after your hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.  

Read Rule 3.3 of the Smith County Rules of Civil Trial for more information on the submission of evidence before a virtual hearing. 

Contact the Court for more information regarding virtual jury trials. 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns.  

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court Coordinator at (903) 590-1601, or by using the county’s mailing system

Honorable Judge Taylor Heaton 

100 N. Broadway 
Room 220 
Tyler, TX 75702 
 
Phone: (903) 590-4924 

This information is current as of April 26, 2023.  

Checklist Steps

Is this court doing virtual hearings? What platform are they using? Are there any exceptions?
Unknown N/A Contact the Court for information on virtual hearings.

You can visit the 475th District Court's webpage for the most up-to-date information.

All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the District Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail. Contact the District Clerk’s Office with any questions at (903) 590-1660 or by using the county’s email tool

All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing. 

Also, read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials for more details on filing. 

Contact the court to schedule a hearing. Read the Smith County Rules of Civil Trials to learn more on how to schedule a hearing. 

Possibly. Depending on the complexity of the matter, type of hearing, and the situation, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to see if you can schedule a virtual hearing. 

Each counsel should file a list of all potential exhibits to be offered, provide a copy to opposing counsel, and make all such exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel. This must be completed before the pre-trial conference or at least seven (7) days before trial, whichever occurs first.  

Any objections to admissibility of exhibits must be made at least fifteen (15) days before trial or pre-trial conference, except on leave of Court for good cause. 

The offering party must pre-mark and pre-number their own exhibits prior to trial and must provide a list of exhibits to be offered at trial to the court reporter before jury selection. 

Court staff will contact you after your hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.  

Read Rule 3.3 of the Smith County Rules of Civil Trial for more information on the submission of evidence before a virtual hearing. 

Contact the Court for more information regarding virtual jury trials. 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns. 

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Civil Court Coordinator at (903) 590-4924, or by using the county’s mailing system

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