Harris County District Clerk

03/10/2022

IV-D Intake Clerks Shawntae Emsweller and Leondra Ganther are our Employees of the Week. Shawntae started working for the DCO in August of 2016 and Leondra just joined the team in May of 2021. Leondra started out as an Assistant Clerk in the criminal courts and was reassigned to the IV-D Intake section a couple of months ago.

On March 4, the IV-D Intake section was in a pickle. The section has six team members and, that day, two were on vacation and another two called in sick. Shawntae and Leondra really stepped up to the plate and expeditiously completed all the filings that came in.

“They worked cooperatively as a team. I really appreciate them for their dedication and hard work,” said IV-D Courts/Intake Supervisor Aquanette Davis.

“Shawntae exhibited leadership skills, worked with Leondra, and made a game plan that benefited the department,” Davis added. “With only two months of training, Leondra worked diligently throughout the day,” Davis noted.

Shawntae and Leondra demonstrated excellence by being proactive and reliable, despite being short staffed.

Congratulations on being our Employees of the Week, Shawntae and Leondra!

03/04/2022

Alonzo Guadarrama is our Employee of the Week. Alonzo started working for the DCO as a part time Communications Specialist in September 2021.

Today, March 4th 2022, was his last day at the DCO, as he has decided to take a well-deserved break to fully focus on his last semester at the University of Houston.

During the almost six months he has been a DCO team member, no assignment has been too big for Alonzo. He has gradually taken new responsibilities and has been an integral part of the Communications Team.

“With his can-do and positive attitude, Alonzo has done a superb job in a wide variety of assignments and projects, from photography and writing, to videography and research,” said Public Information Officer Al Ortiz.

“Alonzo has a promising career ahead of him because he has the winning formula: Talent and work ethic,” Ortiz added.

Congratulations on being our Employee of the Week and best of luck with your future endeavors, Alonzo!

02/26/2022

Hoy, Marilyn Burgess, Secretaria de Distrito del Condado Harris, participó en el desfile del Rodeo de Houston. Muchos residentes de Houston asistieron al desfile y otros cargos electos como el Comisionado del Precinto 2 Adrian Garcia, la Fiscal de Distrito Kim Ogg, el Alguacil Ed Gonzalez, así como varios miembros del Concejo de Houston, también participaron en el desfile. La Sra. Burgess desea a todos los residentes de Houston y del Condado Harris un ¡Feliz Rodeo 2022!

02/26/2022

Today, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess participated in the Houston Rodeo parade. The event was very well attended and other elected officials such as Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, District Attorney Kim Ogg, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, and several Houston City Council Members, also participated in the parade. District Clerk Burgess wishes all Houston and Harris County residents a very Happy Rodeo 2022!

02/25/2022

Khiela Jackson is our Employee of the Week. She started working for the DCO in 2014 and then left temporarily. Khiela returned to the DCO in January of 2019.

“Khiela has a wonderful personality and always goes beyond the call of duty with internal and external customers,” said Civil Support Manager Michelle Gaines.

“Khiela is very dependable and one of the go-to-people in the Civil/Family Post Trial Department,” added Gaines.

This past Wednesday, February 23, Khiela also participated in the first Black History Month Commemoration Event held by the District Clerk's Office.

She delivered an excellent presentation on the story of renowned African American attorney Robert W. Hainsworth.

Congratulations on being our Employee of the Week, Khiela!

02/25/2022

Today, the Harris County District Clerk's Office celebrated Go Texan Day. Led by District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, we wore our favorite jeans and our best pair of boots, and we had a frito pie sale!

We also took a group photo on the steps of the Harris County Civil Courthouse.

Let's have a great 2022 Houston Rodeo y'all!

El equipo de la Secretaría de Distrito del CondadoHarris celebró hoy Go Texan Day. Liderados por la Secretaria de Distrito Marilyn Burgess, vestimos nuestros jeans favoritos y nuestro mejor par de botas, ¡y tuvimos una venta de fritopie!

También nos tomamos una foto de grupo en la escalinata de la Corte Civil.

¡Tengamos un maravilloso Houston Rodeo en 2022!

02/24/2022

Today, the Harris County District Clerk’s Office (DCO) held a Black History Month commemoration event led by District Clerk Marilyn Burgess. County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, her Chief Deputy Michael Winn, and Tiffany M. Hill, President of the Houston Lawyers Association, honored us with their presence.

In her remarks District Clerk Burgess noted that achieving equality and justice is an ongoing journey.

The event featured presentations by DCO team members on four historic legal cases centered on the history and legacy of the African American community. The DCO team members who presented are: Closed Records Clerk Makaila Jefferson, Lead Court Clerk Roslyn Mayes, Lead Court Clerk Lisa Cooper, and Civil Post Trial Team Lead Khiela Jackson. They all excelled with compelling presentations that were complemented by the tireless work of DCO Historical Documents Room curator Francisco Heredia, who provided the case files.

The DCO's choir also delivered a lively performance at the event singing classics such as "Wade In The Water" and "Lean On Me". The members of the choir are: Monica Bergen, Jessica Bradford, Brandy Cerna, Wanda Chambers, Cynthia Clausell, Iris Collins, Nelson Cuero, Brianna Denmon, Chris Dilworth, Rachel Fowler, Marcella Harris, Khiela Jackson, Chandra Lawson, Rhonda Momon, Giselle Trevino, and Sharon White. They were accompanied by trumpeter Mistah Jones, of the Harris County Clerk’s Office (CCO); drummer Marcellus Jones, also from the CCO; and Brandon Walton, of the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, playing the keyboard.

02/24/2022

Today, the Harris County District Clerk’s Office (DCO) held a Black History Month commemoration event led by District Clerk Marilyn Burgess. County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, her Chief Deputy Michael Winn, and Tiffany M. Hill, President of the Houston Lawyers Association, honored us with their presence.

In her remarks District Clerk Burgess noted that achieving equality and justice is an ongoing journey.

The event featured presentations by DCO team members on four historic legal cases centered on the history and legacy of the African American community. The DCO team members who presented are: Closed Records Clerk Makaila Jefferson, Lead Court Clerk Roslyn Mayes, Lead Court Clerk Lisa Cooper, and Civil Post Trial Team Lead Khiela Jackson. They all excelled with compelling presentations that were complemented by the tireless work of DCO Historical Documents Room curator Francisco Heredia who provided the case files.

The DCO's choir also delivered a lively performance at the event singing classics such as "Wade In The Water" and "Lean On Me". The members of the choir are: Monica Bergen, Jessica Bradford, Brandy Cerna, Wanda Chambers, Cynthia Clausell, Iris Collins, Nelson Cuero, Brianna Denmon, Chris Dilworth, Rachel Fowler, Marcella Harris, Khiela Jackson, Chandra Lawson, Rhonda Momon, Giselle Trevino, and Sharon White. They were accompanied by trumpeter Mistah Jones, of the Harris County Clerk’s Office (CCO); drummer Marcellus Jones, also from the CCO; and Brandon Walton, of the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, playing the keyboard.

02/23/2022

If you’re representing yourself (a Pro Se filer), you can skip the security line and submit your filings through our 24 hour Civil Dropbox located outside at the front of the Civil Courthouse.

02/19/2022

Christina ‘Tina’ Czepinski and Ireana Collins are our Employees of the Week. They both work at the 185th Criminal District Court. Christina joined the DCO Team in 2008. Ireana worked with us from 2015 to 2018 and then rejoined the team in 2021.

“Christina and Ireana have been instrumental in our pilot program to start the new e-Warrant system between the courts and the Sheriff’s Office,” said Kathy tickle, Supervisor of Criminal District Courts.

“Christina and Ireana have helped our great IT department work out all the details and resolve issues before we rolled out with all the courts,” added Tickle.

“Christina is always taking time to help her coworkers and Ireana also has a wonderful and helpful attitude. Both ladies are always smiling and that helps make our environment in the criminal courts much more friendly,” Tickle concluded.

Congratulations on being our Employees of the Week, Christina and Ireana!

02/12/2022

02/12/2022

Jessica Suarez is our Employee of the Week. She joined the DCO Team in 2018 as a County Criminal Court Clerk. Currently, Jessica is the Lead Clerk of County Criminal Court at Law 7.

County Criminal Courts Supervisor Nakia Mills noted that Jessica excels at many levels, including multitasking.

“Jessica always finds ways to improve our workflow and takes the initiative when new duties arise”, Mills said.

Jessica was one of the first DCO clerks to learn how to process e-Warrants. Since then, she has trained other team members.

“Jessica is always willing to help out the criminal courts team,” added Mills.

Congratulations on being our Employee of the Week, Jessica!

02/11/2022

Today, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess participated in the CLE seminar of the Houston Metropolitan Paralegals Association (HMPA). District Clerk Burgess talked about legislation that has gone into effect in 2022 and impacts the legal community in Texas. She also discussed the latest developments regarding jury service and the rollout of our redesigned website. IT Administrator Tracy Hopper and Civil Support Manager Michelle Gaines assisted Ms. Burgess during her presentation.

Marilyn Burgess, Secretaria de Distrito del Condado Harris, participó hoy en el seminario CLE de la Asociación de Paralegales Metropolitanos de Houston. La señora Burgess habló sobre leyes que han entrado en efecto en 2022 y que impactan a la comunidad legal de Texas. La Sra. Burgess también habló sobre las últimas novedades en el servicio de jurado y el lanzamiento de nuestro rediseñado sitio web. Tracy Hopper, Administradora de IT de nuestra oficina, y Michelle Gaines, Manager del Departamento Civil, asistieron a la Sra. Burgess durante su presentación.

02/09/2022

If you’re representing yourself (a Pro Se filer), you can skip the security line and submit your filings through our 24 hour Civil Dropbox located outside at the front of the Civil Courthouse.

02/07/2022

The District Clerk’s Office is live streaming the first day of jury service at the state-of-the-art Jury Assembly Building located in downtown Houston. District Clerk Marilyn Burgess is personally welcoming and greeting the summoned jurors in this historic day.

02/05/2022

This week, we are featuring two DCO team members as Employee of the Week, both from our Data Control Department.

The first featured team member is Mario Ledesma, who joined the DCO in 2017 as a Data Control Clerk.

Mario has excelled in his work by streamlining multiple data control reports with Microsoft Excel macros. That is a big help for the Data Control Team because it distributes the workload evenly and proficiently.

“Mario is a great employee. He is reliable, thorough, and detailed oriented,” said Data Control Supervisor Adán Figueroa.

Mario has cross-trained in Criminal and Civil Data Control. That enables him to be proficient in both sections and has enhanced his skill set.

This year, Mario will be training additional data control staff to make even more progress in cross-training within the department.

“Mario comes in every morning with a smile on his face. He makes everyone feel welcome and part of the team,” Figueroa added.

Congratulations on being our Employee of the Week, Mario!

Alan Acosta is our second our Employee of the Week. Alan joined the DCO team in 2019 as a Criminal Courts Clerk and then moved to Data Control.

“Alan has taken the necessary steps to fine-tune Data Control’s standard operating procedures, enabling the department to operate as a well-oiled machine,” said Data Control Supervisor Adán Figueroa.

Alan is cross-trained in criminal and civil data control. He is always patient and respectful with his co-workers and takes the time to explain his training methods.

“Alan is a very valuable employee. He is consistently reliable and productive. Alan puts forth a concentrated effort to create an efficient and positive work environment for everyone,” said Figueroa.

“Alan is a fantastic example of what it takes to not only be a team player, but also a model DCO employee,” Figueroa added.

Congratulations on being our employee of the week, Alan!

02/02/2022

Starting February 7, jury calls will be held at the Jury Assembly Building located at 1201 Congress St.

We will observe social distancing and you will have to wear a face covering. If you don’t have one, we will provide it.

Summoned jurors can park for free on a first come-first serve basis at the garage located at 1401 Congress.

Jury service is a cornerstone of our justice system so, please, answer your summons and show up on your assigned day.

If you have a summons for a Justice of the Peace Court, refer to your summons for the location of the Justice of the Peace Court location.

01/28/2022

The Harris County District Clerk's Office has published the new issue of our Community Newsletter. On this issue, you will find important information about the new location for jury service starting February 7, as well as other content that gives interesting updates on what happened at the DCO during the last quarter of 2021.

If you want to receive this newsletter via email, just send a request to: [email protected]

You can read the newsletter by clicking on this link: https://bit.ly/35CNaU5

01/28/2022

Chelsia Matthews is our Employee of the Week. Chelsia has worked for the DCO since May 2019. She started out as a Junior Civil Exhibit Clerk at our Records Center and she was promoted to Senior Clerk in December.

Chelsia recently helped a customer who needed a copy of a divorce decree. Chelsia first had to make sure the document was accessible online and then assisted the customer with the needed copy. The customer commended Chelsia in an email sent to Closed Records Supervisor Carl Martin and said she handled the entire process promptly and politely.

“Chelsia always demonstrates a calm and positive attitude. There is no situation that is too big for her,” noted Martin. “Chelsia is patient and she will take her time to walk customers through our process to make sure their needs are met. She is a real asset to the Closed Records department.”

Congratulations on being our Employee of the Week, Chelsia!