Honorable Toni M. Wallace, Judge

Important Notice

 

In compliance with the 38th Emergency Order issued by the Texas Supreme Court, and the Order of the Local Administrative Judge R. O’Neil Williams, County Court at Law No. 4 will continue to use all reasonable efforts to conduct proceedings remotely. Jury trials have resumed effective June 1st, in accordance with all requirements as listed in the 36th Emergency Order and Trial Protocols issued by the Local Administrative Judge. Thus, most hearings will continue via Zoom. These hearings include but are not limited to criminal plea dockets, criminal motions dockets, uncontested probate dockets, and all civil motion dockets.

Please note:

  • Juvenile Adjudications - The Juvenile and Parent/Guardian must appear in person in order for the Court to obtain a fingerprint.
  • Criminal Pleas – The Defendant may appear via Zoom, HOWEVER, the Defendant must appear in court within 3 days of the plea date for the Court to obtain a fingerprint.

If your hearing is scheduled via Zoom, you will receive an email from the Court with the Zoom link to access the hearing. Attorneys have the option to appear via Zoom or in person for pleas.

 

You may view a live stream of these proceedings on the Court’s YouTube channel. Per guidance from the Office of Court Administration, this channel adheres to the open courts provision of the Texas Constitution.

 

CRIMINAL CASES: Resets are Required for all Misdemeanor Cases

  • Defense Attorney is to obtain a Reset from the Court Coordinator, Jenica Salazar at Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov, and return the Reset with Defendant’s signature via e-mail.
  • The Court will allow Defendant's Attorney to sign the Reset on the Defendant's behalf, with the Defendant's permission.
  • Defense Attorneys may request a Reset no earlier than a week before the scheduled court date.
  • The signed Electronic Reset MUST be returned to the Court the day before the Defendant’s scheduled court date. If the Court does not receive the Electronic Reset by the above deadline, the Defendant must appear in person to sign a Physical Reset. If the Court does not receive an Electronic Reset or Physical Reset, a bond forfeiture/failure to appear warrant will be issued.
  • Defense Attorneys, please understand your responsibility to stay in contact with your client.
  • If Defendant is not represented by an Attorney, he/she must contact the Court Coordinator preferably by e-mail; or by telephone at 281-238-1995 to request a Reset form. If you leave a voice mail message, please *clearly state* the following:
  1. Your FULL NAME;
  2. Your Case Number/Cause Number;
  3. An email address that you check regularly; and
  4. Phone Number for a return call.

It is the Defendant’s responsibility to stay in contact with their bondsman and their attorney.

 

COURT COSTS RESETS

  • The Defendant is responsible for paying their balance in full by the date provided on their Court Costs Reset.
  • If the Defendant is unable to pay their balance in full, he/she is required to appear in person on their scheduled court date. If the Defendant does not contact the Court and does not appear in Court on their scheduled court date, a Failure to Appear Warrant will be issued.

CRIMINAL PLEAS

  • The Court must be informed at least one week prior to the desired plea date to be added to the Plea Docket.
  • The ADA will provide the plea paperwork to the Defense Attorney, so please email the appropriate ADA to obtain the plea paperwork.
  • Plea paperwork must be completed electronically and submitted to the Court no later than 48 hours before the scheduled court date.
  • If the plea paperwork is not turned in on time, the case will be Reset to the next available plea setting.

CRIMINAL MOTIONS:

  • Criminal Motions will be handled via Zoom. If there is a reason why a matter cannot be handled via Zoom, contact the Court Coordinator, Jenica Salazar at Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov.
  • To request a hearing date, you must contact the Court Coordinator via email at Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov. The Motion and Order must be e-filed before requesting a hearing date.
  • If you are a Defendant without an attorney and do not have access to email, you may contact the Court Coordinator by phone at 281-238-1995. If you leave a voice mail message, please *clearly state* the following:
  1. Your FULL NAME;
  2. Your Case Number/Cause Number;
  3. An email address that you check regularly; and
  4. Phone Number for a return call.
  • You will receive a confirmation email from the Court Coordinator with the Zoom meeting details (link/Meeting ID).
  • The scheduling party is responsible for noticing the other party/parties of the video conference hearing and details for login.

JUVENILE:

  • Juvenile Status Dockets will be heard via Zoom. The Juvenile is required to appear in person for the Juvenile Adjudication/Disposition Docket in order for the Court to obtain a fingerprint.
  • Juvenile Status and Adjudication/Disposition Dockets are scheduled by Juvenile Probation Court Officer Lavelle Conley. You may contact him via email at Lavelle.Conley@fortbendcountytx.gov or by phone at 281-633-7307.

 

CIVIL:

  • The Civil Docket will be handled via Zoom. If there is a reason why a matter cannot be handled via Zoom, contact the Court Coordinator via email at Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov.
  • To request a hearing date, you must contact the Court Coordinator via email at Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov. The Motion and Order must be e-filed before requesting a hearing date.
  • If you are a Defendant without an attorney and do not have access to email, you may contact the Court Coordinator by phone at 281-238-1995. If you leave a voice mail message, please *clearly state* the following:
    1. Your FULL NAME;
    2. Your Case Number/Cause Number;
    3. An email address that you check regularly; and
    4. Phone Number for a return call.
  • You will receive a confirmation email from the Court Coordinator with the Zoom meeting details (link/Meeting ID).
  • The scheduling party is responsible for noticing the other party/parties of the video conference hearing by regular mail and certified mail, return receipt requested.
  • Additionally, the Notice of Hearing MUST be e-filed with the County Clerk’s Office.
    • The Notice MUST state the following:
      • The hearing will be held by video conference.
      • The party/parties are to contact the Court Coordinator via email at Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov or by phone at 281-238-1995 to receive the Zoom meeting details (link/Meeting ID).
      • The Certificate of Service must include the certified mail tracking number.

Default Judgments:

  • The Court will continue to hear these Motions by submission.
  • To schedule a hearing date, contact the Court Coordinator at Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov .
  • The scheduling party is responsible for noticing the other party/parties of the submission hearing by regular mail and certified mail, return receipt requested.
  • The Court requires 28 days notice.
  • Additionally, the Notice of Hearing MUST be e-filed with the County Clerk’s Office along with the returned certified mail green card.
    • The Notice MUST state the following:
      • The hearing will be held by submission.
      • The party/parties may contact the Court Coordinator via email at Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov or by phone at 281-238-1995 to request an oral hearing.
      • The Certificate of Service must include the certified mail tracking number.
  • If the Notice does not contain the above information, the Judgment will not be signed by the Judge.

JURY TRIALS:

All Jury Trials have resumed in CCL4 beginning June 2021. Once a case is set for trial, a pre-trial conference date will be determined. THE LAST OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEFENDANT TO ACCEPT A PLEA OFFER IS ON THE DAY OF PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE. NO PLEAS WILL BE TAKEN ON TRIAL DAY.

 

PROBATE:

  • Probate hearings will be handled via Zoom.
  • To schedule a contested/uncontested hearing, please contact the Probate Auditor, Kathy Edwards via e-mail at Kathy.Edwards@fortbendcountytx.gov or by phone at281-238-3297.

 

CCL4 MASK POLICY

Per the Office of Court Administrations Best Practices for All Court Proceedings During COVID-19 Pandemic (Effective May 2021), “Cloth face coverings, at a minimum, should be encouraged of unvaccinated court participants or individuals planning to enter courtrooms or court-related offices while in the courthouse. Participants or individuals who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering.”

 

 All participants and individuals entering County Court at Law No. 4 are required to wear a face covering.

 

 The Court requests the public’s patience and understanding during this time. We are committed to following the guidelines established by the CDC and the Supreme Court of Texas.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Court Coordinator, and please have patience as she works to answer your questions.

 

 

NOTICE OF ACCOMMODATIONS FOR AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS

Due to COVID-19 many individuals are considered “at-risk” members of the vulnerable population. These members include but are not limited to individuals who are over 65 and individuals with serious underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune systems are compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer or other conditions. If you believe you are a member of this vulnerable population please contact the court coordinator Jenica Salazar via email at Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov or call 281-238-1995 – *provide your full name, cause number and contact information* – to advise the court regarding your need for special accommodations and a specialized docket to ensure your continued safety.

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The Honorable Toni M. Wallaceis the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law Number Four in Fort Bend County, Texas. She recently served a 2-year term as the Administrative Judge for all the County Courts in Fort Bend County. And her court is the home of CORE, the Girl's Court for Juveniles in Fort Bend County, which serves juvenile girls who have been identified as being at-risk for or victims of human trafficking. Judge Wallace believes that her court belongs to the people of Fort Bend County and enjoys the privilege of serving Fort Bend County.
 
Judge Wallace began her legal career as a defense attorney, practicing in civil courts all over the state. She served as a prosecutor in the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office for 5 years. Judge Wallace made history in 2016 when she became the first African American Female Judge ever appointed to a county court in Fort Bend County. She was the inaugural judge for County Court at Law Number Five. In 2018, she made history again when she was among the first African Americans ever elected to a court in Fort Bend County. Judge Wallace recognizes the significance of her accomplishments and strives every day to serve with honor, integrity, wisdom, and fairness, all while following the letter of the law.
 
Judge Wallace is a proud resident of Fort Bend County, and a graduate of Dulles High School. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Texas and her JD from South Texas College of Law Houston. When she’s not presiding in her courtroom, she enjoys a good book, serving her community, and spending time with her family. As a breast cancer survivor warrior, she celebrates the blessing of her 20-year marriage to Rev. Quinton Wallace and their 3 amazing children.

 

 

Office Address
Fort Bend County Justice Center
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Courtroom 2E
Richmond, TX 77469

Mailing Address
County Court at Law No.4
301 Jackson Street
Richmond, TX 77469

Telephone
281-238-1995

NOTICE OF LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES

FORT BEND COUNTY COURTS AT LAW AND DISTRICT COURTS ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING MEANINGFUL ACCESS TO COURT SERVICES FOR LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) PERSONS. LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO ANY PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH A COURT PROCEEDING WHO HAS DIFFICULTY COMMUNICATING IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE OR WHO NEEDS A DOCUMENT TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH, YOU MAY REQUEST LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE. TO REQUEST INTERPERETATION OR TRANSLATION SERVICED FOR THE FORT BEND COUNTY COURTS, PLEASE VISIT THE LANGUAGE ACCESS WEBPAGE.