House Bill 349, relating to electronically filing any court document in a criminal case in Hidalgo County, was signed into law on June 14, 2013. As a result, effective Sept. 1, 2015, any required criminal court document MAY be e-filed utilizing the statewide electronic court filing system (efiletexas.gov).

The Statewide Rules Governing Electronic Filing in Criminal Cases are adopted, effective September 1, 2015, for Hidalgo County, Texas, subject to potential changes made after a comment period. For all other counties, the rules are effective November 1, 2015:
MISC. DOCKET NO 15-002/15-9090 - ORDER ADOPTING PROPOSED STATEWIDE RULES GOVERNING ELECTRONIC FILING IN CRIMINAL CASES
PROPOSED STATEWIDE RULES GOVERNING ELECTRONIC FILING IN CRIMINAL CASES
JUDICIAL TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, VERSION 3.0
FAQs

Attorneys and firm administrators can visit efile.txcourts.gov to register for online training sessions.  Courses for attorneys have been approved by the Texas State Board of Continuing Legal Education for a one hour standard CLE credit. There are also a number of training videos available for filers on e-file basics and how to get started.

CIVIL CASE E-FILING
On December 11, 2012, the Supreme Court of Texas implemented an order mandating electronic e-filing in civil cases, district courts, statutory county courts, constitutional county courts and statutory probate courts. This means, beginning January 1, 2014, attorneys will no longer be able to conduct walk-in filings and must  submit all their filings electronically.

Hidalgo County commenced its transition to e-filing on September 17, 2013 to allow attorneys and their staff to become accustomed to using the new electronic filing system and procedures to ensure 100% compliance with the new law.

TexFile benefits include:

• Full integration with e-filing service providers - no need to switch
• Low cost filing any time, from any Internet ready computer
• Enhanced reporting and financial reconciliation
• Quick access to file-stamped copies of your court documents

STANDING ORDERS:
Beginning October 21, 2013, County Court at Law No. 7 and the 139th District Court will require attorneys to e-file all documents related to Family and Civil Law cases with the District Clerk. NO PAPER FILING WILL BE ACCEPTED.

• County Court at Law No. 7 - Standing Order
• 139th District Court - Standing Order
• County Court at Law No. 8 - Standing Order

APPROVED STATEWIDE EFILING AMENDMENTS TO TRAP AND TRCP:
ORDERS ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO TEXAS RULE OF APPELLATE AND CIVIL PROCEDURE

APPROVED STATEWIDE TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS:
JUDICIAL TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS: Version 2.5, Adopted August 14, 2015

RUSUBMISSION PROCEDURES:
How Do I Resubmit a Returned for Correction Filing?

ARTICLES:
Texas Bar Journal: Paperless Courts - Are you ready for the e-filing mandate? by David Slayton and Megan LaVoie,
Texas Lawyer: Out With the Old (Paper), in With the New (e-filing)