Section 12 Trial Notebook

TRIAL NOTEBOOKNovember 2013CASE NAME:TRIAL DATE:1

TABLE OF CONTENTSA.CASE INFORMATION SHEET1. Style of case2. Names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, bar numbers, e-mail addresses forPresiding Judge (If Associate Judge, also list Referral Judge)Court Coordinator/AdministratorDistrict ClerkAttorney ad Litem for the childrenGuardian ad Litem for the childrenRespondent’s Attorney (set up for each attorney)CPS CaseworkerCPS SupervisorB.NOTEBOOK ESSENTIALS1. Termination Trial Preparation Checklist2. Termination Grounds Checklist3. Best Interest Checklist4. Trial Objections Checklist5. Predicate Checklist6. Case Citations and Notes applicable to the case - use SECTION 5TERMINATION GROUNDS, caselawC.PLEADINGS1. Pleading Index2. Live pleadings: i.e. Amended Petition; Responsive pleadings3. Superseded pleadings – maintain separately organized by numbered indexpages corresponding with the pleading indexD.EXHIBITS1. Give a copy of the list to the court reporter and offer to the judge as well.2. Keep each exhibit and business records affidavit either in plastic slip coverbehind sub tab for sponsoring witness or in a separate folder labeled bysponsoring witness.3. Executed information release formE.VOIR DIRE1. Outline2. Panel Seating Chart3. See sample Voir Dire in SECTION 11 TOOLS, Jury TrialsF.PROPOSED JURY CHARGE1. Give the original to the Judge and copies to all attorneys2. Diskette copy of charge for any subsequent changes3. See sample Jury Charge in SECTION 11 TOOLS, Jury Trials2

G.OPENING STATEMENT & CLOSING ARGUMENT1. Outline of opening statement and possible closing arguments2. Sub-tab for adding trial notes for closing argumentH.WITNESSES1. Witness Lista. Include address, phone numbers where witness can be reached at any timeb. Date witness was servedc. Date notified of approximate day and time of testimony (note if witnesshas any scheduling conflicts that must be dealt with)d. Date witness designated in response to discoverye. Date witness’ records were provided to counsel2. Sub-tab for each witnessa. Outline/summary of expected testimony including if the witness cantestify regarding “best interest”b. Curriculum Vitaec. Notes from pre-trial interview of witnessd. Documentation pertinent to witness’ testimonyExample:i.Narrativesii.Counseling reportsiii.Psychologicalse. Exhibits to be entered into evidence through witnessI.TRIAL LOGS1. Sub-tab for each parenta. Sub-tab by type of logCPS History: Intakes and InvestigationsCriminal HistoryEmployment/Sources of IncomeChild SupportVisitationServices ProvidedHousing/Home VisitationsRelationshipsJ.VITAL STATISTICS1. Sub-tab for each childa. Birth certificateb. Social security numberc. Paternity Registry Check or other relevant paternity informationd. Court of Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction CheckK.RECORDS FILED WITH THE DISTRICT CLERK1. Records Affidavit Log2. Sub-tab for each Record Affidavita. Notice of Filing Records Affidavits3

b. Date of Notice or filing of Business Records AffidavitsL.PSYCHOLOGICALS & PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS1. Sub-tab by nameM.MEDICAL RECORDS1. Sub-tab by nameN.CRIMINAL RECORDS1. Certified copies of convictions2. Copies of law enforcement reportsO.DISCOVERY1. Discovery Log2. Sub-tab by Attorney/Requestora. Petitioner propoundedi. Requests for Discoveryii. Response to DFPS Request for Discoveryb. Respondent propounded (prepare for each respondent)i. Request for Discoveryii. DFPS' Response to Respondent’s Request for Discovery4

A. CASE INFORMATION SHEETCAUSE NO.IN THE INTEREST OF§§§§§(NAME OF CHILD/REN),CHILDIN THE DISTRICT COURT OFCOUNTY, TEXASJUDICIAL DISTRICTAssociate JudgeNAMEAddress line 1.Address line 2.Office: Phone numberFax: Phone numberCourt Coordinator for Associate JudgeNAMEAddress line 1.Address line 2.Office: Phone numberFax: Ph b-tab for adding trial notes for closing argument24

H. WITNESSES1. Witness List{List all prospective witnesses who have relevant information to prove up one or moregrounds for termination and best interest factors regarding each child}Name:If the witness has an honorary title, such as “Dr.” or “Rev.”, use it.Address:Physical address including zip. If the witness must be served in person, be sure you givestreet information rather than a post office box and include suite or floor #.Phone:Numbers the attorney can utilize to contact the witness at any time. Provide all phonenumbers including office, home, cell, and pager.Role:Whether the witness is a relative, a therapist, a neighbor, an investigative worker, etc.Date served:Date witness was served with subpoena by the sheriff, or otherwise.Date and time expected to testify:Date and time witness is expected to testify.Notified:Date & time witness notified regarding when to appear at the Courthouse to testify.Discovery:Date witness and supporting documentation disclosed to defense counsel in responsediscovery request.Expert designation:Date of “Designation of Expert Witnesses”Credentials/Curricula vitae:Witness’ credentials qualifying them as an expert witness including length of employmentwith CPS.Comments: If the witness has information that is not included in the case record, i.e.,observations, remarks heard from parents, no counseling notes in file, record their expectedtestimony here. Also note anything unusual about the witness, i.e., does not support agencyrecommendation, unusual demeanor, is only available on Tuesday afternoon, etc.25

WITNESS LIST(Case name)(Page of )NAMEADDRESSCITY, STATE, ZIPofc #:home #:cell – pager #:CREDENTIALS:BEST INTEREST TESTIMONY:COMMENTS:ROLE:DATE SERVED:TESTIFY – date & time:WITNESS NOTIFIED:DISCLOSED:Discovery:Expert:ROLE:DATE SERVED:TESTIFY – date & time:WITNESS NOTIFIED:NAMEADDRESSCITY, STATE, ZIPofc #:home #:cell – pager #:CREDENTIALS:BEST INTEREST ADDRESSCITY, STATE, ZIPofc #:home #:cell – pager #:CREDENTIALS:BEST INTEREST TESTIMONY:COMMENTS:ROLE:DATE SERVED:TESTIFY – date & time:WITNESS Y, STATE, ZIPofc #:home #:cell – pager #:CREDENTIALS:BEST INTEREST TESTIMONY:COMMENTS:ROLE:DATE SERVED:TESTIFY – date & time:WITNESS NOTIFIED:DISCLOSED:Discovery:Expert:26

I. TRIAL LOGS1. Sub-tabs for each parent for each of the following logsCPS History: Intakes and InvestigationsCriminal HistoryEmployment/Sources of IncomeChild SupportVisitationServices ProvidedHousing/Home VisitationsRelationships27

J. VITAL STATISTICS1. Sub-tabs for each childBirth certificateSocial security numberPaternity Registry check or other relevant paternity informationCourt of continuing exclusive jurisdiction check28

K. RECORDS FILED WITH THE DISTRICT CLERK1. Records Affidavit LogName of FacilityDatemailedaffidavitto facilityDateaffidavitreturnedby facilityDateaffidavitsent todistrict clerk2. Sub-tab for each record affidavitNotice of Filing Records AffidavitDate of Notice or filing of Business Records Affidavits29Datenotice offilingaffidavitmailed toattorneysDatereceivedfilemarkedcopy

L. PSYCHOLOGICALS & PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS1. Sub-tab by name30

M. MEDICAL RECORDS1. Sub-tab by name31

N. CRIMINAL RECORDS1. Certified copies of convictions under this sub-tab2. Copies of law enforcement reports under this sub-tab32

O. DISCOVERY1. Discovery log2. Sub-tab by Attorney/RequestorDiscovery Request to DFPSFROM: , Respondent (Prepare a log for each Respondent Requesting Discovery)No.Document ryAnsweredDate ofSupplementofDiscovery1st Set of InterrogatoriesRequest for DisclosureRequest for AdmissionsRequest for ProductionDFPS Discovery Request to RespondentTO: , Respondent (Prepare a log for each Respondent Requesting Discovery)No.Document NameDateRequestSent1st Set of InterrogatoriesRequest for DisclosureRequest for AdmissionsRequest for ate ofSupplementofDiscovery

1. Termination Trial Preparation Checklist 2. Termination Grounds Checklist 3. Best Interest Checklist 4. Trial Objections Checklist 5. Predicate Checklist 6. Case Citations and Notes applicable to the case - use SECTION 5 TERMINATION GROUNDS, caselaw . C. PLEADINGS . 1. Pleading Index