AI rules for self-represented litigants: U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division (Judge Ernest Gonzalez)

In effect · Federal · Texas

Scope	Civil and criminal cases before U.S. District Judge Ernest Gonzalez
Judge	U.S. District Judge Ernest Gonzalez
Order or rule	Standing Order Concerning the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Preparation of Filings
Date signed	2026-06-25
Status	In effect
Applies to self-represented litigants	Yes. It applies to parties appearing pro se.
Do you have to disclose AI use?	Yes. A Certificate of Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage is required when AI helped draft a pleading.
Certification required	Yes. The certificate names the AI program, certifies that you verified the legal and factual assertions, and certifies that no confidential or privileged information was disclosed. A sample certificate is attached to the order as Appendix A.
What you must verify	Independently verify the legal and factual assertions in any AI-assisted document.
Sanctions mentioned	Fines, education programs, referral to disciplinary boards, and other measures.

Summary

Judge Ernest Gonzalez extended his AI certificate requirement to all cases, civil and criminal, and to self-represented parties. The order includes a sample certificate you can follow.

What this means for you

If your case is before Judge Gonzalez and AI helped draft a pleading, file the AI certificate with it.
Use the sample certificate in Appendix A of the order.
Other judges in the same district may have different rules.

Read the official order

Standing Order on AI, Judge Ernest Gonzalez, Western District of Texas

Last verified: 2026-10-21

Changes

2026-10-21 — Added to directory.

This summary is general legal information, not legal advice. Court rules change, and individual judges may add their own requirements. Always read the official order and your judge's rules before you file.

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