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What is Docket Call? A Harris County Criminal Defense Attorney Explains

    In Harris County, Fort Bend, Brazoria County, and Montgomery County Criminal Courts docket call refers to the beginning of the court session when the judge, or other court personnel, read out the names of the people who are supposed to be in court during that session.  When a defendant is bonded out of jail they are given the date and time of when they are supposed to be in court.  On later court settings the time and date will be on a reset form.  Generally, in Harris County, the time is 8:30, 9:00, or 9:30 a defendant should make sure they know their specific required time.  A condition of the bond is that the defendant will be in court at the specified time.  Failure to be in court can result in the bond being forfeited.  A bond can be forfeited if someone fails to show up or if they show up five minutes late.  These rules hold true whether a defendant is charged with Possession of Marijuana, Theft, or Aggravated Assault.

    We always advise clients to arrive early to insure that they find parking and have enough time to go through the metal detectors and get on an elevator.  There can be a long line for both the metal detectors and the elevators and most judges will not take that into consideration if a defendant misses docket call.

    If you have been charged with an offense in Harris County and have questions about docket call please call us at 713-651-1444.  It is our belief that you should always have an attorney with you at every stage of this process including docket call.  You deserve an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend you against the charges and protect your rights.  Please fill out an online contact form and an experienced criminal defense attorney will call you shortly.