On October 6, 2022, President Biden issued a presidential proclamation that pardons federal convictions for simple marijuana possession offenses. The proclamation applies only to federal convictions, including D.C. Code offenses, and does not apply to convictions under state or local law. Under President Biden’s proclamation, individuals with qualifying convictions are fully and completely pardoned for their marijuana possession offense. The pardon applies only to the qualifying offense of simple possession of marijuana and not to any other offense(s) for which the individual has been charged Continue reading →

Effective immediately, the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas has implemented a threshold on its ECF website to limit the number of data retrieval attempts for a single connection. Any connection that exceeds the court’s threshold will be temporarily blocked and re-directed to an explanation page.  This action is being taken to improve the site’s stability and ensure quality service to the public. We do not anticipate that customers who are logged into our ECF site on a day-to-day basis will Continue reading →

On June 24, 2021, Chief Judge Orlando L. Garcia entered an order adopting and enacting proposed amendments to the Local Court Civil Rules for the United States District Court, Western District of Texas. In accordance with Rule 83 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, these amendments were unanimously approved by the district judges of this Court after being posted for 30 days for review and comment by the bar. The Court was recently informed by the Office of the Circuit Executive for the Fifth Continue reading →

Affecting El Paso This announcement is for all attorneys practicing criminal law in The Western District of Texas, specifically the El Paso division. Beginning June 28, 2021, the U.S. Probation Office for the Western District of Texas will modify the method used to disclose Pre-Sentence Reports, Addendums, and Violation Reports. You will no longer receive a notification (NEF) from CM/ECF but will instead receive an email directly from the U.S. Probation Services Office for the Western District of Texas containing a link to access your report. Continue reading →

In accordance with Part IV of the Standing Order Establishing A+, A, and B Panels for Civil Appointments in the San Antonio Division and Supplementing Amended Plan for Reimbursement of Counsel (W.D. Tex. Apr. 1, 2021), all attorneys in private practice admitted in the San Antonio Division will be placed on one of three panels for pro bono appointment in civil cases. As indicated by the Order, placement depends on each attorney’s experience, expertise, and interest in handling pro bono matters. This page allows you Continue reading →

In Memoriam Judge Philip R. Martinez July 13, 1957 – February 26, 2021 The Western District of Texas is mourning the loss of our esteemed colleague District Judge Phil R. Martinez who passed away on Friday, February 26, 2021.  Judge Martinez was a native El Pasoan and received his education at the University of Texas at El Paso and Harvard Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate.  He served as a judge on the El Paso County Court at Law #1 from 1991- 1994, Continue reading →