Harris County’s 313th Juvenile Court primarily oversees domestic violence protective orders. This court hears matters under the Juvenile Justice Code, Titles 3 and 3a of the Texas Family Code. Before you or a loved one appears in this court, it is vitally important to understand the established policies and procedures to ensure a proper hearing.
313th Harris County Juvenile Court
The 313TH Juvenile Court at a Glance
The 313th Juvenile Court is located on the fifth floor of the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center on Congress in the heart of downtown Houston. The Honorable Natalia Cokinos Oakes is the presiding judge at the 313th Juvenile Court. The Honorable William Thursland is the associate judge for this court. Should a party have a specific question about this court or its proceedings, they ca contact the court directly at 832-927-8450.
Brief History of Judge Oakes’ Role in the 313TH Juvenile Court
The Honorable Natalia Cokinos Oakes was elected to preside over the 313th Juvenile Court in 2018. Judge Oakes has practiced juvenile, family, and probate law and has been involved with the Juvenile Law Section of the Houston Bar before serving on the bench of the 313th.
Key Policies and Procedures of the 313TH Juvenile Court of Harris Co., TX
Most juvenile courts operate under a specific set of policies and procedures. Before appearing in court, it is highly recommended that litigants meet with their attorney to review these policies and procedures well in advance of their court date.
It is not uncommon for some forms and applications to be filed in advance of the actual court date. Failure to do so could negatively impact the outcome of a hearing.
Be sure to visit the 313th Juvenile Court’s website for more specifics on their current policies and procedures.
What To Know Before You Go
If you or a loved one will be appearing in 313th Harris County Juvenile Court, it is generally prudent to follow the below rules of etiquette:
- Be punctual. Courtrooms usually follow a tight schedule on any given day. To show that you respect the court’s system, plan to be on time. Please note that both city and courthouse traffic can be quite busy and those appearing in court should allow plenty of time for traffic delays and crowded courthouse elevators.
- Dress professionally. First impressions count. Make an effort to dress appropriately and take special care with your appearance. For men, this can generally mean slacks, collared button shirts, and socks with close toed shoes. Women should wear skirts or dresses that hit no higher than at the knee or a pair of slacks with a blouse.
- Do not bring food or drink. Many courtrooms do not allow food inside. Most do not permit litigants to bring in any liquids, but some may authorize bottled water. Do not chew gum.
- Turn electronic devices off. This is not limited to but can include cell phones, smart phones, tablets, and iPads. These electronic devices can prove to be a distraction in the courtroom so they should be turned off before entering.
- Do not take photos or video. Most courtrooms specifically do not allow any photos or video to be taken inside out of respect for all involved parties and their families.
Google Reviews
My husband and I had the privilege of being represented by attorney Aaron Wallace who was assisted by paralegal, Janette Gama, in our 2.5 year long custody battle. Aaron was phenomenal in educating us on the Texas Family Laws and kept us informed throughout the entire process. Aaron’s expertise helped guide us on decision-making and court processes. Janette worked diligently to keep all exhibits organized and communicated any updates regarding the case in a timely manner. We were truly blessed to have had such an amazing team who were devoted to upholding justice and fair/equal parenting rights. Most importantly, Aaron persistently presented the children’s best interest to the judge and successfully achieved favor in granting my husband equal parenting time that not only he deserved, but that the children deserved as well. Our family is beyond happy with the outcome of this matter and we are forever grateful for the time and effort that Aaron poured into helping us get to this point. Thank you all so much for everything you all did for our family.
High integrity, smart, and hard working. You want Brian McNamara on your side.
I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the incredible support and guidance I received from McNamara Law Office. They truly care about their clients and go above and beyond to achieve the best outcomes! Highly recommend!
Brian, Amanda, and Renee provided excellent guidance and legal support when it was most needed. I highly recommend their timely and professional services.
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your exceptional work. Your dedication and efficiency have not gone unnoticed, and I truly appreciate your commitment to excellence. Thank you for consistently delivering quality results in such a timely manner!! Mr. McNamara finished my paperwork in 2 days and I appreciate all the support I got from everyone in the office!! Thank you All !!
McNamara Law Office is exceptional andincredibly attentive and detail-oriented, making sure every aspect of my case was thoroughly addressed. Their professionalism and dedication to my case were outstanding, and I felt supported and well taken care of throughout the entire process. I am grateful for their expertise and would not hesitate to turn to them for future legal matters.
An amazing, knowledgeable and professional team. I highly recommend McNamara Law Office.
These people are amazing. They are helping my family through the worst event of our lives and I really couldn’t ask for a higher degree of professionalism and care. They are razor sharp and completely transparent about cost as much as possible.They are not cheap and there are no guarantees but I believe they are absolutely worth it.You get what you pay for.
Aaron has helped guide us through one of the most trying and difficult times in my family’s life. Throughout this entire journey Aaron has remained realistic, professional, and has truly cared about our families needs. Aaron was able to help us settle our case in mediation while giving us peace of mind. The professionalism and organization of The McNamara Law Firm was superb! Paralegal J. Gama always held her self in a professional, courteous and educated manner. We are truly grateful for their help and guidance. We will definitely choose Aaron again should we need to seek legal counsel in the future.
