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County Civil Courts of Law
Harris County
HON. R. JACK CAGLE
County Civil Court at Law No. 1 - Harris County
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COUNTY CIVIL COURTS AT LAW

CCCL#1 Hon. R. Jack Cagle
CCCL#2
Hon. Jacqueline Lucci-Smith
CCCL#2 Hon. Gary Michael Block (ex-judge)
CCCL#3 Hon. Linda Storey
CCCL#3 Hon. Lynn Bradshaw-Hull
CCCL#4 Hon. Roberta Anne Lloyd
CCCL#4 Hon. Cynthia Crowe (past)

County courts at law have exclusive jurisdiction
in Harris County over
eminent domain
proceedings, regardless of the amount in
controversy. See Tex. Gov't Code Ann. §
25.1032(c).
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Harris County Civil Courthouse

RECENT APPEALS FROM THIS COURT

The Travis Law Firm v. Woodson Wholesale (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Oct. 21,
2008)(Frost)(
attorney's fees litigation, small amount of damages recovered, excessive attorney
fee demand denied) AFFIRMED: Opinion by Justice Frost  
Before Justices Frost, Seymore and Brown
14-07-00204-CV The Travis Law Firm, A Professional Corporation v. Woodson Wholesale Inc.
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: R. Jack Cagle  

Bowie v. ASAP Motors (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Oct. 9, 2008)(Bland)
(
pro se appeal, DWOP dismissal)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
Before Judge Wilson, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00730-CV Kenneth Bowie v. ASAP Motors
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jack Cagle  

Farragut Financial, et al. v. Capital One Auto (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Sep. 25,
2008)(Bland) (auto financing, no contract formation, no meeting of the minds on terms)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-07-00497-CV Farragut Financial, et al v. Capital One Auto, et al
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jack Cagle  

State of Texas v. Clear Channel Outdoor (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Sep. 11, 2008)(Bland)
(
inverse condemnation, state's plea to the jurisdiction overruled)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-07-00353-CV        The State of Texas v. Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc.
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge:  Hon. Jack Cagle

Metro v. Harris County (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 26, 2008)(Fowler)
(
workers comp subrogation)
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED & REMANDED IN PART: Opinion by Justice Fowler  
Before Justices Fowler, Frost and Seymore
14-06-00513-CV        Metropolitan Transport  Authority v. Harris County, Texas
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: R. Jack Cagle

In re H & R Block Financial Advisors, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 28, 2008)(Guzman)
(
arbitration mandamus, waiver argument)
MOTION OR WRIT GRANTED: Opinion by Justice Guzman  
Before Chief Justice Hedges, Justices Frost and Guzman
14-08-00450-CV        In Re H & R Block Financial Advisors, Inc.
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge:  R. Jack Cagle

Burris and Wheelchair & Scooter Express, LLC v. Metro of Harris County (Tex.App.- Houston
[1st Dist.] Aug. 14, 2008)(Keyes) (
inverse condemnation case, taking, ingress easement)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes  
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Alcala
01-06-00981-CV James R. Burris and Wheelchair & Scooter Express, L.L.C. v. Metropolitan
Transit Authority
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jack Cagle

TransAmerica Occidental Life Insurance Company v. Rapid Settlements (Tex.App.- Houston [1st
Dist.] July 3, 2008)(Bland) (
confirmation of arbitration award against nonparty was error)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND RENDER JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00137-CV TransAmerica Occidental Life Insurance Company and TransAmerica Annuity
Service Corporation v. Rapid Settlements
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jack Cagle  

TransAmerica Occidental Life Insurance Company v. Rapid Settlements (Tex.App.- Houston [1st
Dist.] July 3, 2008)(Bland) (
restricted appeal, order confirming arbitration award)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND RENDER JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00195-CV Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company and Transamerica Annuity
Service Corporation v. Rapid Settlements, Ltd.
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 2 [?] of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jack Cagle  

Nguyen v. JP Morgan Chase Bank (Tex.App. Houston [14th Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Anderson)
(personal guaranty for
debt on business line of credit enforced)
AFFIRMED: Opinion by Justice Anderson  
Before Justices Brock Yates, Anderson and Brown
14-07-00086-CV Thu Mong Nguyen v. JP Morgan Chase Bank
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: R. Jack Cagle

Ahmed v. Metro (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] May 20, 2008)(Hedges) (inverse condemnation,
takings claim)
REVERSED AND REMANDED: Opinion by Chief Justice Hedges  
Before Chief Justice Hedges, Justices Anderson and Boyce
14-07-00739-CV Syed Ahmed v. Metropolitan Transit Authority
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: R. Jack Cagle

Bennett Truck Transport, LLC v. William Brothers Construction (Tex.App. - Houston [14th Dist.]
May 22, 2008)(Yates) (common carrier liability, equitable subrogation, sj reversed)
REVERSED AND REMANDED: Opinion by Justice Brock Yates  
Before Justices Brock Yates, Fowler and Guzman
14-06-00923-CV Bennett Truck Transport, LLC v. William Brothers Construction
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: R. Jack Cagle

Complaint about Judge Cagle's idiosyncracies fails
Denial of recusal motion upheld (as is customary)

Vasquez v. Hildenbrand (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 24, 2008)(Keyes)
[auto PI, negligence,
recusal motion denied]
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Alcala
01-06-01067-CV Nancy Vasquez v. Brenda Hildenbrand
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jack Cagle  
In her motion to recuse, Vasquez alleged that the trial court showed a "pattern of behavior [that]
shows a personal bias and prejudice toward [Vasquez] and the subject matter of this case to
such an extent that the trial court's impartiality may be reasonably questioned in any further
hearings or proceedings."

At the recusal hearing, Vasquez's counsel testified that the trial court made inappropriate
comments like "you Italians stick together" and that "he was sorry that the jury would not get to
see two Sicilians go at it." However, the evidence also showed that the trial court made these
remarks out of the presence of the jury. Vasquez's attorney also presented evidence that while
his jury was in the waiting room the trial court took pictures with a district court judge and spoke
with another jury. Vasquez's attorney testified that the trial court gave the jury a speech about
patriotism, stated that the bailiff was a real war hero, and made the jury take a pledge of
allegiance to the flag. He testified that the trial court put the Bible on top of the rules of
procedure and kept it on display. He testified that the trial court told him to make his objection in
two words or less. He then described an exchange he had had with the trial court about
insurance, during which opposing counsel "opened the door" to insurance, and he stated that
the trial court had made the jurors swear that they would not make a decision based on the
availability or lack of insurance. Vasquez's counsel said he felt pressured to agree to the trial
court's question to the lawyers about waiving the reading of the charge. He testified that he
made a comment during closing arguments that "he had something to do with the charge,"
which caused the trial court to reprimand him in front of the jury because it was the trial court's
charge. He also discussed how the trial court left the courtroom with another judge to do
something in the other judge's courtroom, but when he went to the other courtroom, it was
locked. Vasquez's counsel testified that Hildenbrand had filed a motion for sanctions prior to trial
and that, during the trial, the trial court said, "I'll be taking care of you with the Motion for
Sanctions later." He testified that during a bench conference to settle a dispute, the trial court
said that it would take both of the lawyers outside and work them over, but counsel agreed that
this comment was not on the record. He testified that he was "astounded" when the trial court
asked the lawyers, "Which one of you is going to bring the donuts tomorrow?" He also testified
that at approximately 5 p.m. during the trial, the trial court slammed a time clock down and said
"I'm putting you on the time clock to make sure you finish in ten minutes." Vasquez's counsel
summarized his grounds for recusal, "So I think that his pattern of misconduct was so high with
such antagonism and showing such favoritism that it was impossible for my client to get a fair
trial."

Generally, judicial remarks during a proceeding that are critical or even hostile to counsel,
parties, or their cases, do not support recusal. Ludlow v. DeBerry, 959 S.W.2d 265, 271 (Tex.
App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, no pet.). "Such remarks may [support recusal] if they reveal an
opinion deriving from an extrajudicial source and such remarks will do so if they reveal such a
high degree of favoritism or antagonism as to make fair judgment impossible." Id.

Having reviewed the recusal hearing record, we do not find that the administrative judge acted
arbitrarily or unreasonably, or without any reference to guiding rules and principles, in denying
Vasquez's motion to recuse. The evidence does not show that the trial court's impartiality might
reasonably be questioned or that the trial court had a personal bias or prejudice concerning the
subject matter or a party. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 18b(2)(a)(b).

We overrule Vasquez's eighth issue.

RDI Mechanical v. WPVA LP (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Alcala)(foreclosure)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Alcala
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Alcala
01-06-00962-CV RDI Mechanical v. WPVA LP, et al
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jack Cagle

Grayson v. Anselmo (Tex.App. - Houston [14th Dist.] Mar. 11 2008) (Brown)
(
premises liability, suit, slip and fall, summary judgment for defendant affirmed)
AFFIRMED: Opinion by Justice Brown
14-06-01073-CV Ronald Grayson v. Joseph Anselmo, Individually and D/B/A Joe's Barber
Shop--Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial court judge: Hon. R. Jack Cagle

Hudson & Keyse, LLC v. Gipson (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 31, 2008)(Jennings)
(
credit card debt suit, DWOP, substitute service)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Jennings
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00380-CV Hudson & Keyse, L.L.C. v. Lavern W. Gipson and Emmett Gipson
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Hon. Jack Cagle)

The Cadle Co. v. Bray, No.  01-06-00899-CV (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 24,
2008)(Alcala) (jurisdiction,
default judgment, dormant judgment, res judicata)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND RENDER JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Alcala
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Alcala and Bland
The Cadle Company v. Roy H. Bray
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Judge Jack Cagle)

Executive Mortgage and Financial Services, Inc. v. Gallup (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec.
20, 2007)(per curiam) (reporter's record unavailable, new trial granted, judgment set aside)
SET ASIDE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR RENDITION OF JUDGMENT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH PARTIES' AGREEMENT: Per Curiam
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Alcala and Bland
01-06-00761-CV Executive Mortgage and Financial Services., Inc. v. Charles E. Gallup
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Judge R. Jack Cagle)

Allstate Indemnity Co. v. Hadley Medical Clinic (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Dec. 13,
2007)(Hedges)(
auto PI, personal injury settlement, third-party beneficiary, quasi-estoppel)
REVERSED AND REMANDED: Opinion by Chief Justice Hedges
Before Chief Justice Hedges, Justices Anderson and Seymore
14-06-00436-CV Allstate Indemnity Company and Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance
Company v. Hadley Medical Clinic, Hampton Medical Clinic, Imperial Valley Medical Clinic, and
Southwest Houston Physician Center
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (R. Jack Cagle)

St. Raphael Medical Clinic, Inc. Mint Medical Pysician Staffing (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Oct.
25, 2007)(Jennings)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS:
Opinion by Justice Jennings
Before Justices Nuchia, Jennings and Keyes
01-06-00983-CV St. Raphael Medical Clinic, Inc. v. Mint Medical Physician Staffing, LP d/b/a
Prime Staff
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County (Hon. Jack Cagle)

Hong Kong Development Inc. v. Kim Loan Nguyen (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jun. 7,
2007)(Taft)[
commercial real estate, lease, forcible entry and detainer]
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT IN PART, REVERSE TC JUDGMENT IN PART, AND REMAND CASE TO
TC FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS: Opinion by Justice Taft
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Taft and Nuchia
01-04-00586-CV Hong Kong Development, Inc., Hai Du Duong, and Phuong Truong Tu v. Kim
Loan Nguyen d/b/a Alpha Baker
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Hon. Jack Cagle)

Dilston House Condominium Association v. White (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] May 19,
2007)(Mirabal)(
homeowner law, condominium declarations, bylaws, attorneys fees)
AFFIRMED: Opinion by Justice Mirabal
Before Justices Frost and Mirabal
14-05-00960-CV Dilston House Condominium Association v. Dianne White
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Hon. R. Jack Cagle)

Holt v. Decyco Corp. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 27, 2007)(Taft)
[enforcement of old judgment, dormant judgment, capacity, turnover relief]
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS:
Opinion by Justice Taft
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Hanks
01-05-01194-CV        William Gregory Holt v. Cedyco Corporation
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County (Judge Jack Cagle)
Justice
Keys dissented in Holt v. Cedyco Corp.    

Davis v. Smith (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 5, 2007)(Higley)
[
bill of review denied, not diligent]
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Higley
(Before Justices Nuchia, Keyes and Higley)
01-06-00799-CV Daisy Mae Davis v. Jim R. Smith and Cost Plus of Texas, Inc.
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County

Howeth Investments Inc. v. City of Hedwig Village (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 22,
2007)(Taft) (
real estate development law, plat application, failure to approve plats,
regulatory takings claim, reservation of federal claims)
MODIFY TC JUDGMENT AND AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT AS MODIFIED: Opinion by Justice Taft
(Before Justices Taft, Alcala and Hanks)
01-05-00118-CV        Howeth Investments Inc., et al v. The City of Hedwig Village, et al.
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Hon. R. Jack Cagle)

E International, LLC v. Certfied Business Brokers II, Ltd. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 17,
2007)(per curiam)(settlement)
DISMISSED: Per Curiam
Before Justices Brock Yates, Anderson and Frost\
14-07-00186-CV
E International, L.L.C and Assad Boulos, Individually v. Certified Business
Brokers II, Ltd.Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Hon. R. Jack Cagle)

Knopp v. CitiBank (South Dakota) N.A. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 17, 2007)(May 17,
2007)(per curiam)(
consumer debt)
DISMISSED: Per Curiam
Before Justices Brock Yates, Edelman and Seymore)
14-06-01145-CV Craig F. Knopp v. CitiBank (South Dakota) N.A
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Judge R. Jack Cagle)

Holt v. Decyco Corp. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 27, 2007)(Taft)
[enforcement of old judgment, dormant judgment, capacity, turnover relief]
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS:
Opinion by Justice Taft
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Hanks
01-05-01194-CV        William Gregory Holt v. Cedyco Corporation
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Judge Jack Cagle)
Justice
Keys dissented in Holt v. Cedyco Corp.    

Turnover Order Vacated in Case Involving Enforcement of 17 Year Old
Judgment
Holt v. Decyco Corp. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 27, 2007)(Taft)
[enforcement of old judgment, capacity, turnover relief]
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS:
Opinion by Justice Taft
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Hanks
01-05-01194-CV        William Gregory Holt v. Cedyco Corporation
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Judge Jack Cagle)
Justice Keyes
dissented in Holt v. Cedyco Corp.    

Whitaker v. Rose (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Feb. 6, 2007)(Anderson)
[
PI-auto, restricted appeal, no answer default judgment]
AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED IN PART AND REVERSED AND RENDERED IN PART: Opinion by
Justice Anderson
(Before Justices Anderson, Edelman and Frost)
14-04-01178-CV        Marcus Dunte Whitaker v. Lois Rose, John Rose Jr., and John Rose III
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (Judge R.Jack Cagle)

KF Group, Inc.v Valdez (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Feb. 1, 2007)(per curiam dismissal)
DISMISSED: Per Curiam [DWOP]
Before Justices Frost, Seymore and Guzman
14-06-01074-CV        KF Group, Inc. Texas, Et Al v. Edith G. Valdez, Et Al
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County (R. Jack Cagle)

State of Texas v. Reina (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Feb. 20, 2007)(Frost)
(
condemnation proceeding)
AFFIRMED: Opinion by Justice Frost
Before Justices Anderson, Edelman and Frost
14-05-00080-CV        The State of Texas v. Teri N. Reina, James D. Reina and Catherine L.
Danna
Appeal from Co Civil Ct at Law No 1 of Harris County (R. Jack Cagle)

Reule v. Carreon (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 11, 2007)(per curiam dismissal) (affidavit
of indigence)
DISMISSED: Per Curiam
Before Chief Justice Hedges, Justices Fowler and Edelman
14-06-00163-CV        Christine E. Reule v. Estelle Carreon, Juanita Winchell, Et Al
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County (
Judge R. Jack Cagle)

CIVIL STATE DISTRICT COURTS

Including family and juvenile courts

11th DC Judge Mark Davidson  
55th DC
Judge Jeff Brown (formerly)
55th DC  Judge Jeff Shadwick (new)
61st DC Judge John Donovan
80th DC Hon.L ynn Bradshaw-Hull
113th DC Judge Patricia Hancock
125th DC Judge John Coselli
127th DC Judge Sharolyn Wood
129th DC Judge Grant Dorfman
133rd DC Judge Lamar McCorkle
151st DC Judge Caroline E. Baker
152nd DC Judge Kenneth Wise
157th DC Judge Randall Wilson
164th DC Hon. Martha Hill Jamison
165th DC Judge Elizabeth Ray
189th  DC Judge Bill Burke
190th DC Judge Jennifer W. Elrod (former)
190th DC Judge Patricia Kerrigan (new)
215th DC Judge Levi Benton
234th DC  Judge Reece Rondon
245th DC  Judge Annette Kuntz
246th DC Judge Jim York
247th DC Judge Bonnie  Hellums
257th DC  Judge Judy Warne
269th DC Hon. John T. Wooldridge
270th DC Judge Brent Gamble
280th DC Judge Tony Lindsay
281st DC Judge David J. Bernal
295th DC Hon. Tracy Christopher
308th DC Hon. Georgia Dempster
309th DC Judge Frank Rynd
310th DC Judge Lisa Millard
311th DC Judge Doug Warne
312th DC Judge James Squier
313th DC Judge Pat Shelton
314th DC Judge John Philip
315th DC  Judge Mike Schneider Jr
333rd DC Hon. Joseph Halbach Jr.
334th DC
Judge Sharon McCally