Houston Texas Order Retaining Cause On Docket (OR TCD) is a legal term used in the Texas court system to refer to an order issued by a judge to keep a specific case on the court's docket or calendar. This order is typically utilized when a judge deems it necessary to retain jurisdiction over a particular case and avoid its dismissal or closure. The purpose of an OR TCD is to ensure that a case remains active and continues to receive attention from the court, despite potential delays or the passing of a certain time period. It helps to maintain control and oversight over a matter while allowing parties involved to resolve any outstanding issues or gather additional evidence before the case can move forward. ORT CDs are commonly utilized in various types of legal proceedings, such as civil litigation, family law cases, and criminal prosecutions, to name a few. Each type of case may have its own specific requirements and considerations when retaining it on the docket. Examples of different types of ORT CDs include: 1. Civil OR TCD: In civil cases, an OR TCD can be issued to keep a case on the docket when there are pending motions, hearings, or other unresolved matters. This allows parties to present their arguments and evidence while ensuring that the case stays active and does not get dismissed for lack of progress. 2. Family Law OR TCD: In family law cases, an OR TCD may be used to retain the case on the docket even if one or both parties request a dismissal. This is often done to ensure that issues related to child custody, visitation, support, or property division can be resolved through the court's intervention, if necessary. 3. Criminal OR TCD: In criminal proceedings, an OR TCD can be issued to hold a case on the docket when further investigation is needed, additional time is required to negotiate a plea deal, or if other related cases need to be resolved first. This prevents the case from being closed prematurely and allows the prosecution and defense to work towards a resolution. Overall, Houston Texas Order Retaining Cause On Docket is a legal tool used by judges to maintain control over a case and prevent its dismissal or closure. It ensures that the case continues to receive attention from the court, allowing for the resolution of pending issues and facilitating a fair and just outcome.