Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
How can I get text messages on my iPhone submitted as evidence in civil court in Houston TX?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Print them off and mark them as "Petitioner's Exhibit #_____" or "Respondent's Exhibit #______" (depending on which side of the case you are on).
Make 5 copies of each.
When you want to show the text message in court, give a copy to opposing counsel, the witness, the court reporter, and the judge. Keep one for yourself. Say, "This is a copy of a text message that I received on my cell phone. My cell phone is in good working order and I know how to operate it. 's phone number is ###-###-##### and his/her phone number is contained in my telephone's address book. This is an exact copy of the message as it appeared on my telephone's screen. I move to admit Petitioner's/Respondent's Exhibit #___ into evidence."
I must warn you that if you are asking these kinds of questions, you need an attorney. Evidence issues are very complicated and all I gave you (all I can give you) is the initial offer. If opposing counsel objects to the exhibit and the court sustains the objection, you may have to try to get it admitted using another predicate. This is what lawyers do. Please don't try this on your own.
Good luck!!