An attorney's unsworn statements constitute sufficient evidence if the opposing party waives the oath requirement by failing to object when an objection is necessary.
After an attorney asserted that an oral agreement to extend a settlement deadline existed, the trial court enforced the settlement. The court of appeals held that the attorney's unsworn statements at the hearing did not constitute evidence of the agreement. The question is whether unsworn testimony from an attorney can be considered evidence. Although an attorney's statements must normally be under oath to be considered evidence, an opponent waives this requirement by failing to object when they know or should know that an objection is necessary. Because the opposing counsel failed to object to the unsworn statements, the testimony constituted sufficient evidence to support the settlement agreement.
At page 272 Waiving objection to unsworn attorney statements as evidence297 citing casesNormally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence.
- the City of Webster v. Mary Jennette Jackson Hunnicutt, 650 S.W.3d 792 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2022).published (unsworn statements of counsel generally do not constitute evidence)
- Henry v. Dennery, 55 V.I. 986 (2011).published(Normally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence.)
- Joe Hall v. Ronda Parks, No. 07-08-00321-CV (Tex. App.—Amarillo May 19, 2009).published(Unsworn testimony by an attorney is not evidence.)
- in Re: Elia Cornejo Lopez, No. 13-08-00518-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Nov. 12, 2008).published(Normally, an attorney's statements must be under oath to be considered evidence.)
- Lamont Cousins v. the State of Texas, No. 02-25-00136-CR (Aug. 27, 2026).unpublishedBanda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997).
- In the Matter of the Marriage of Meilyn Rutz Danski De Oliveira & Edrey Clarence Oliveira & in the Interest of S.L.D.O., a Child v. the State of Texas, No. 13-24-00325-CV (July 2, 2026).published(noting that failure to object to the attorney’s testimony because it was unsworn waived the issue on appeal)
- In the Matter of the Marriage of Liliane D. Nzukou Njipwo & Pierre Nya Njipwo & in the Interest of F.L.N. & R.K.N.N., Child. v. the State of Texas, No. 07-25-00008-CV (Mar. 18, 2026).published(waiver of complaint to unsworn statement of counsel due to the lack of timely objection)
- Arturo Diaz, Individually & AD II Improvements, LLC v. Herc Rentals Inc. F/K/A Hertz Equip. Rental Corp., No. 08-24-00307-CV (Mar. 13, 2026).publishedBanda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997) (per curiam).
- In the Interest of D. G. & A. G., Child. v. the State of Texas, No. 08-25-00180-CV (Tex. App.—El Paso Nov. 24, 2025).publishedToledo v. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Comm’n, No. 09-01-209CV, 2001 WL 1692169 , at *3 (Tex. App.—Beaumont Jan. 10, 2002, pet. denied) (per curiam) (not designated for publication) (citing Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997); Tex…
- James Strom v. Juan Antonio Castillo-Guzman & L&B Interests, Inc., No. 04-24-00384-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio July 9, 2025).published“Normally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence”
Show 173 more citing cases
- In the Est. of Myrtle Dell Brown, No. 23-0258 (Tex. Feb. 7, 2025).publishedUsing this standard, the court of appeals affirmed the trial court’s conclusion that there was insufficient evidence regarding the cause of nonproduction, refusing to consider Wylie’s statements at the hearings because Wylie “was not calle…
- Tanner, Bradrick Gerlmaine v. The State of Texas, 707 S.W.3d 371 (Tex. Crim. App. 2024).published(noting the oath requirement may be waived by the failure to object when the opponent of the testimony knows or should know an objection is necessary)
- In the Est. of Myrtle Dell Brown v. The State of Texas, No. 23-0258 (Tex. Aug. 30, 2024).publishedUsing this standard, the court of appeals affirmed the trial court’s conclusion that there was insufficient evidence regarding the cause of nonproduction, refusing to consider Wylie’s statements at the hearings because Wylie “was not calle…
- In Re Acclarent, Inc. v. the State of Texas, No. 02-24-00228-CV, 2024 WL 2873617 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth June 7, 2024).publishedRalph’s counsel also told the court that the discovery from Dr. Dean and the neuromonitoring company was inconclusive about the cause of Ralph’s injury––Dr. Dean’s records showed he “had no idea he was anywhere near the carotid artery in e…
- In Re: Alee Pence, Lauren Trommer, & Shaun Belcher v. the State of Texas, No. 05-23-00817-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Oct. 25, 2023).publishedTo the extent relators argue that the trial court abused its discretion by granting real party’s rule 202 petition because real party failed to overcome relators’ assertion No. 22-0288, 2023 WL 5655867 , at *4 (Tex. Sept. 1, 2023) (per cur…
- Jay Roger Owens v. Brock Agency, Inc. & Mark Taylor, No. 09-22-00336-CV (Tex. App.—Beaumont June 1, 2023).published “Normally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence”
- Sidney & Shatika Davis v. Homeowners of Am. Ins. Co., No. 05-21-00092-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas May 31, 2023).publishedCo. v. Cudd Pressure Control, Inc., 271 S.W.3d 228, 236 (Tex. 2008) (“It is of course true that an appellate court cannot reverse on a ground an appellant has never raised.”); Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997) (per curiam) (…
- in Re: Barbara Johnson, No. 05-22-00486-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Nov. 30, 2022).published Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997).
- Anthony F. Vaccaro v. Raymond James & Assocs., Inc., 655 S.W.3d 485 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2022).publishedSee Robison, 2021 WL 2117936 , at *5 (stating that turnover motion supported only by counsel’s argument was insufficient); Clayton v. Wisener, 169 S.W.3d 682, 684 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2005, no pet.) (holding motion for turnover order and argum…
- Wei Shao Heironimus, Derivatively on Behalf of Mid-Am. Supply Corp. v. Xiaosha Tian, No. 05-21-00174-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Aug. 1, 2022).published While the requirement may be waived, “an attorney’s statements must be made under oath to be considered evidence.” Ugwa v. Ugwa, No. 05-17-00633-CV, 2018 WL 2715437 , at *3 (Tex. App.—Dallas June 6, 2018, no pet.) (mem. op.) (quoting Banda…
- in Re: The Commitment of Willie Dwayne Coles, No. 02-21-00173-CV, 2022 WL 1496544 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth May 12, 2022).publishedApp. P. 33.1(a)(1); Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997).
- Ex Parte D.T., No. 07-20-00162-CV (Tex. App.—Amarillo Oct. 18, 2021).publishedUgwa v. Ugwa, No. 05-17-00633-CV, 2018 Tex. App. LEXIS 4089 , at *7 (Tex. App.— Dallas June 6, 2018, no pet.) (mem. op.) (citing Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997)). 7 to D.T.’s DWI conviction and his second arrest and prosec…
- John E. Powell v. M/G Fin. Co., Ltd., No. 09-19-00344-CV (Tex. App.—Beaumont July 15, 2021).publishedBanda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997).
- Jorge A. Legarreta v. Claudia Alvidrez & the Off. of the Attorney Gen. of Texas, 631 S.W.3d 546 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2021).publishedBanda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997) (per curiam); In re J.A., 482 S.W.3d 141, 150 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2015, no pet.).
- Simone Barron & Walid Yammine v. Issam Al Shmaisani & Sharon Smith, No. 02-19-00064-CV, 2021 WL 2253301 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth June 3, 2021).published(holding that complaint on appeal must match that presented in trial court)
- Ex Parte: D.H.I., No. 05-19-01424-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Apr. 9, 2021).publishedBanda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997); In re Butler, 987 S.W.2d 221, 225 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1999, no pet.).
- John Bradley Ashburn & Post Oak Appalachia, LLC v. Robert J. Myers, John J. Shaw, & Myers Shaw, No. 02-20-00183-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Apr. 1, 2021).published“Although an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence, the opponent of the testimony can waive the oath requirement by failing to object when an objection is necessary”
- in the Est. of Gilbert Campos, No. 04-19-00350-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Apr. 15, 2020).published “Normally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence”
- in the Interest of H.E.W.M., a Child, No. 04-19-00202-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Apr. 15, 2020).publishedAlthough Brent did not have income from employment, he received a monthly annuity payment in the amount of $6,970 from a structured settlement of a personal injury suit. 3 The attorneys agreed that at the time of the hearing on the motion…
- Claudia Susana Martinez Jardon v. Gerd Pfister, 593 S.W.3d 810 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2019).published Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997); Marquez v. Providence Mem’l Hosp., 57 S.W.3d 585, 593 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2001, pet. denied).
- Alpha Adventure Ranch at Nocona, LLC v. Warrior Golf Mgmt., LLC, No. 02-19-00030-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 12, 2019).published“Although an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence, the opponent of the testimony can waive the oath requirement by failing to object when an objection is necessary”
- William Anthony Brubaker v. Patricia Byrne Brubaker, No. 03-18-00273-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Nov. 21, 2019).published(concluding unsworn statements of counsel to be considered evidence absent objection by opponent of testimony)
- James Brent Mansfield v. Stormie Rae Mansfield, No. 04-18-00551-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Nov. 20, 2019).published(holding attorney’s unsworn statements to the court constitute evidence if no objection is made to the trial court’s failure to administer oath)
- Robin E. Pempsell v. Megan N. Birt, No. 02-18-00259-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Oct. 31, 2019).published“Normally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence”
- James Brent Mansfield v. Stormie Rae Mansfield, No. 04-18-00551-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Oct. 9, 2019).published(holding attorney’s unsworn statements to the court constitute evidence if no objection is made to the trial court’s failure to administer oath)
- Forest Hills Improvement Ass'n, Inc. v. Richard Flaim, Et Ux, No. 09-18-00199-CV, 2019 WL 4493325 (Tex. App.—Beaumont Sept. 19, 2019).published“[n]ormally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence”
- Marjorie Anderson v. Safeway Tom Thumb, D/B/A Tom Thumb Grocery, & Bargreen Ellingson, Inc., No. 02-18-00113-CV, 2019 WL 2223582 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth May 23, 2019).published(holding attorney’s unsworn statements tendered as evidence were sufficient absent objection)
- Eric B. Darnell v. Carmen Broberg & Michael J. Zimprich, 565 S.W.3d 450 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2018).publishedBanda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997); see also U.S. Gov’t v. Marks, 949 S.W.2d 320, 326 (Tex. 1997); Marquez v. Providence Mem’l Hosp., 57 S.W.3d 585, 593 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2001, pet. denied). 6 In addition, other courts have…
- James F. McKinnon v. Robert Stone Wallin & William Brandon Wallin, No. 03-17-00592-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 14, 2018).publishedAnd, finally, as to McKinnon’s complaint that the trial court did not allow him to “talk” or “speak,” his unsworn statements would not have been evidence, see Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997) (per curiam) (observing that st…
- Patrick Lynn Russell v. State, No. 05-17-00124-CR (Tex. App.—Dallas Jan. 24, 2018).unpublished(holding unsworn attorney statements generally do not constitute evidence)
- Jeffrey D. Busby, Andrea Busby, & Busby Quarter Horse, L.L.C. v. Josh Harvey, DVM, & Outlaw Equine, L.L.C., 551 S.W.3d 184 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2017).publishedSee Mathis v. Lockwood, 166 S.W.3d 743 , 744–45 (Tex. 2005); Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997). 8 my issue.
- Ardetra Lewis v. Hous. Auth. of Austin, No. 03-15-00800-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Dec. 7, 2016).published See Mathis, 166 S.W.3d at 745 ; Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997); Martin v. Federal Nat’l Mortg.
- Billy Albert Tomes D/B/A Bexar Cnty. Customs v. Justin Thompson, No. 04-15-00821-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Oct. 5, 2016).publishedBanda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997) (per curiam). “[T]he opponent of the testimony can waive the oath requirement by failing to object when the opponent knows or should know that an objection is necessary.” Id.
- Jeremiah A. Martin v. Fed. Nat'l Mortg. Ass'n, No. 04-15-00233-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Apr. 20, 2016).published “Normally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence”
- in Re James Wesley Groves & Keith Gross, No. 01-15-00537-CV, 2016 WL 921645 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 10, 2016).publishedGenerally, “an attorney’s statements must be under oath to constitute evidence.” Keith v. Keith, 221 S.W.3d 156, 169 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.) (citing Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997)). 9 Accordingly, th…
- In re Reeder, 515 S.W.3d 344 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2016).published Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex.1997).
- Ted B. Lyon, III v. Bldg. Galveston, Inc., D/B/A Bldg. Solutions, No. 01-15-00664-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 16, 2015).publishedThe reporter’s record 19 Compare Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997) (per curiam) (party’s attorney stated she was “testifying . . . as an officer of the court”), with In re MetroPCS Commc’ns, Inc., 391 S.W.3d 329, 338 (Tex. A…
- Bexar Cnty. Hosp. D/B/A Univ. Health Sys. v. Paul Douglas Harlan, No. 04-15-00155-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Aug. 10, 2015).publishedBanda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997).
- Jo-Ann Shuma v. Gary Michael Power, No. 05-14-00623-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas July 9, 2015).publishedP. 33.1(a); Banda v. Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997) (per curiam); Nine Syllables, LLC v. Evans, No. 05-13-01677-CV, 2015 WL 3932751 , at *7 (Tex. App.—Dallas June 26, 2015, no pet. h.) (mem. op.).
- In Re M.N., 262 S.W.3d 799 (Tex. 2008).published
- Pearson v. Stewart, 314 S.W.3d 242 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2010).published
- In Re Lopez, 286 S.W.3d 408 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2008).published
- Ne. Texas Staffing v. Ray, 330 S.W.3d 1 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2010).published
- Olsen v. Comm'n for Lawyer Discipline, 347 S.W.3d 876 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2011).published
- Gattis v. Duty, 349 S.W.3d 193 (Tex. App.—Austin 2011).published
- Las Palmas Med. Ctr. v. Moore, 349 S.W.3d 57 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2010).published
- Good v. Baker, 339 S.W.3d 260 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2011).published
- Sunny Obgomo & Joan Kyangungu v. Am. Homes 4 Rent Props. Two, LLC, a Delaware Ltd. Liab. Co., No. 02-14-00105-CV, 2014 WL 7204552 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 18, 2014).published
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. Prof'l Pharmacy II, 508 S.W.3d 391 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2015).published
- Mohammed Alsheikh v. Murjan Altawil, No. 02-12-00178-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Jan. 29, 2015).published
- Peggy Joyce Ruth v. Arma Lee Crow, James Albert Crow, Sandra Ford, & the Ruby & Annie Smith Fam. P'ship, No. 11-14-00102-CV (Tex. App.—Eastland Feb. 5, 2015).published
- DTND Sierra Investments, LLC v. Compass Bank, No. 04-14-00194-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Mar. 23, 2015).published
- Bd. of Adjustment for City of San Antonio & Sarosh Mgmt., LLC D/B/A A-Z Food Mart v. East Cent. Indep. Sch. Dist., No. 04-14-00341-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Mar. 23, 2015).published
- in the Interest of J.T., J.T., & J.T., the Child., No. 02-14-00378-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth May 18, 2015).published
- in the Interest of D.E.H., a Minor Child, 301 S.W.3d 825 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009).published
- Ralph Plemons, M.D. v. Patricia Harris, Individually & as Pers. Rep. of the Est. of Harvey Harris, No. 02-08-00326-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Jan. 8, 2009).published
- Incore Constr., Inc. & Francisco Casias, Jr. v. Incore, Inc., No. 04-08-00785-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Dec. 16, 2009).published
- Regent Care Ctr. of Oakwell Farms, Regent Care Ctr. of San Antonio II Ltd. Partners v. Dianne Craig, Andy Sichi & Jean Brannum, No. 04-09-00402-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Dec. 9, 2009).published
- Crown Asset Mgmt., LLC v. Wanda J. Carter, No. 07-08-00164-CV (Tex. App.—Amarillo Mar. 6, 2009).published
- Connie Nipp v. Terry Lee Broumley, Individually & as Indep. of the Est. of Walterine Opal Broumley, No. 10-08-00145-CV (Tex. App.—Waco Apr. 1, 2009).published
- State of Texas v. Guerrero, Ex Parte Marcelino, 400 S.W.3d 576 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013).published
- Dan A. Gattis, Cnty. Judge of Williamson Cnty. Lisa Birkman, Cynthia Long, Valerie Covey & Ron Morrison, Cnty. Commissioners David Flores, Cnty. Auditor & Ashlie Koenig, Cnty. Budget Officer v. Jana Duty, Cnty. Attorney of Williamson Cnty., Texas, No. 03-10-00833-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 24, 2011).published
- Shagufta Khan v. Salim Valliani & Agha Juice & Cafe, 439 S.W.3d 528 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014).published
- Frederick Nelson Davis v. State, No. 14-09-00113-CR (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Mar. 23, 2010).unpublished
- Mailing Henderson v. David Lewis, No. 07-14-00445-CV (Tex. App.—Amarillo May 15, 2015).published
- Telesis/Parkwood Ret. I, Ltd. v. Anderson, 462 S.W.3d 212 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2015).published
- in the Interest of C.H., D.H., & J.H., Minor Child., No. 02-13-00312-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Aug. 7, 2014).published
- Peter Pjetrovic v. Home Depot, 411 S.W.3d 639 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013).published
- Janet Friedman v. Gail Rozzlle & Sun Harbour Cottages Unit 1 Owners' Ass'n, No. 13-12-00779-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Nov. 21, 2013).published
- Ken W. Good v. Smith Cnty. Judge Joel P. Baker & Comm'r Precinct No. 1, JoAnn Fleming, No. 06-10-00024-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana Mar. 25, 2011).published
- Grace Hoyt v. Timothy Van Frank, M.D., No. 13-11-00300-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Aug. 9, 2012).published
- Simer Singh v. Trinity Mktg. & Distrib. Co., Inc., 397 S.W.3d 257 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2013).published
- Herbert Lawrence Polinard v. Ralph A. Medina & Ann Anthony, Llc., No. 13-11-00403-CV, 2012 WL 2929617 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi July 19, 2012).published
- Jessica Jackson Hill v. Steven Hill, No. 02-12-00332-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Jan. 9, 2014).published
- Shawn Pierre Lee v. State, 442 S.W.3d 569 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2014).published
- in the Matter of C.H., a Minor Child, 412 S.W.3d 67 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2013).published
- in the Matter of K.R.K., No. 04-13-00470-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio June 25, 2014).published
- in the Interest of A.B. & H.B., Child., 412 S.W.3d 588 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2013).published
- Gordon R. Simmonds v. TDCJ, No. 10-07-00361-CV, 2010 WL 654498 (Tex. App.—Waco Feb. 24, 2010).published
- Candice Sossamon, Individually & as the Next Friend of Katelyn Kirkland, Katelyn Kirkland & Jeffrey S. Davis v. Cleburne Indep. Sch. Dist. Bd. of Trs. & James Warlick, Interim Superintendent, No. 10-08-00355-CV (Tex. App.—Waco Jan. 20, 2010).published
- Gerald Allen Perry v. E.C. Williams, Warden C. Vondra, Asst. Warden Tammy A. Messimer, Prop. Officer Frankie Haynes, Law Librarian Rich Warden-Former & Gene A. Kroll, Warden, No. 02-12-00006-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth June 20, 2013).published
- in the Interest of C. A. C., a Child, No. 13-10-00332-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Aug. 18, 2011).unpublished
- in the Est. of Ramiro Aguilar, Jr., No. 04-13-00367-CV, 2014 WL 2443865 (Tex. App.—San Antonio May 28, 2014).published
- Deanira Morales v. Cotulla Indep. Sch. Dist., No. 04-13-00363-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio May 21, 2014).published
- Tuscan Builders, LP v. 1437 SH6 L.L.C., 438 S.W.3d 717 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014).published
- in Re Valliance Bank, 422 S.W.3d 729 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2013).published
- Linda Lough v. James Pack & Betty Pack, No. 02-12-00336-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Mar. 21, 2013).published
- Paul Kramer & PK Indus. D/B/A Castlegate Homes v. Melissa & Scot Hollmann, No. 02-11-00136-CV, 2012 WL 5869423 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Nov. 21, 2012).published
- in the Est. of Alvilda Mae Aguilar, No. 04-13-00368-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 19, 2014).published
- in Re Willa Peters Hubberd Testamentary Trust, 432 S.W.3d 358 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2014).published
- Mahmood Chaseekhalili & Fatema Faiyaz v. Cinemacar Leasing, Inc., No. 02-11-00454-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Aug. 9, 2012).published
- Carole Kotz v. Stelian Murariu & Petru Murariu, Individually & on Behalf of Cape Horn Holdings LLC, No. 04-12-00420-CV, 2013 WL 6205457 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Nov. 27, 2013).published
- Eusebio Vejil v. Rosita Vejil, No. 04-13-00194-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Nov. 6, 2013).published
- Roger K. Parsons v. Robert M. Greenberg Legal Servs. P.C., Robert M. Greenberg, Attorney Robert E. Motsenbocker Shafer, Davis, O'Leary & Stoker, Inc. F/K/A Shafer, Davis, McCollum, Ashley, O'Leary & Stoker, Inc. ConocoPhillips F/K/A Conoco, Inc., No. 02-10-00131-CV, 2012 WL 310505 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Feb. 2, 2012).published
- in the Est. of Manuel Arizola, 401 S.W.3d 664 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2013).published
- in Re Atsuko Kotake Hickman, No. 01-12-00572-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Oct. 11, 2012).published
- Mark Rotella, Mark Rotella Custom Homes, Inc. D/B/A Benchmark Custom Homes, Robert R. Cole, Jr., & Cole & Cole, P.C. v. Joan Cutting & Mid-Continent Cas. Co., No. 02-10-00028-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Aug. 31, 2011).published
- Alejandro Marquez v. Lorenza Moncada & the Off. of the Attorney Gen. of Texas, 388 S.W.3d 736 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2012).published
- Ardmore, Inc F/K/A GHX Inc. & Star Props., LLC v. the Rex Grp., Inc. D/B/A T-3 Support Servs., Inc., 377 S.W.3d 45 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2012).published
- Matinee Media Corp. ("Matinee"), Magnolia Radio Corp. ("Magnolia"), Rick Deitrick, & Greg Shapiro v. Eugenio Falcon, Antonio Falcon, Eloy Vera, Juan D. Posada, Jose Vasques, Karina Mascorro, & William Smith, No. 04-12-00133-CV, 2012 WL 3104530 (Aug. 1, 2012).published
- in Re Am. Power Conversion Corp., Relator, No. 04-12-00140-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio July 5, 2012).published
- Victor Catalanotto v. Meador Oldsmobile LLC F/K/A Meador Oldsmobile Inc., No. 02-10-00044-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Mar. 3, 2011).published
- Ex Parte Robert Michael Santos, No. 04-11-00375-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 15, 2012).published
- Francisco Horta Licea v. State, No. 02-09-00094-CR (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Aug. 27, 2010).unpublished
- in the Interest of A.B. & H.B., Child., No. 02-09-00215-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth July 29, 2010).published
- Patti L. Dirksen v. Robert W. Flynn as Tr. of the Gloria Neidert 2005 Trust, No. 04-10-00126-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Jan. 12, 2011).published
- Robin Pearson v. Charles Stewart, No. 02-09-00123-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth May 6, 2010).published
- Robert Morrison, II v. Greg Standerfer, No. 02-09-00250-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Mar. 25, 2010).published
- in the Interest of C.Y., the Child, No. 02-15-00152-CV, 2015 WL 6394559 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Oct. 22, 2015).published
- Happy Jack Ranch, Inc. & Frederick J. Behrend v. HH&L Dev., Inc. Matthew Stolhandske, Tr. Michael Strnad, No. 03-12-00558-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Nov. 6, 2015).published
- State of Texas v. Milton E. Taylor, No. 04-15-00632-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio June 15, 2016).published
- Vivek Goswami, M.D. & Austin Heart, PLLC v. Nancy Jo Rodriguez, No. 03-14-00717-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Jan. 7, 2015).published
- Texas San Marcos Treatment Ctr., L.P. D/B/A San Marcos Treatment Ctr. v. Veronica Payton, No. 03-14-00726-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Jan. 23, 2015).published
- in Re Kimberly Marks, No. 01-15-00087-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 19, 2015).published
- in Re Camp La Junta 1928, LP, Blake Smith, Camp La Junta, Inc., CLJ Mgmt. Sys., L.L.C., No. 01-15-00551-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 6, 2015).published
- City Nat'l Bank of Sulphur Springs v. John Alexander Smith, No. 06-15-00013-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana Sept. 17, 2015).published
- MIKOB Props., INC., Allan Klein, & Mitchell Kobernick, Appellants v. David JOACHIM & Int'l Realty Concepts, Inc., Appellees, 468 S.W.3d 587 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2015).published
- Kevin Matthew Hall v. Rebecca MacCorkle Hall, No. 14-12-00655-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] June 30, 2015).published
- League City v. Texas Windstorm Ins. Ass'n, No. 01-15-00117-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Oct. 8, 2015).published
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v.
Adolfo GARCIA, as Next Friend of Javier Garcia, Adolfo Garcia, as Next Friend of Jessica N. Garcia and Yvonne Ibarra Garcia, Respondents
The issue in this cause is whether an attorney’s unsworn testimony constitutes some evidence of a pre-suit settlement agreement. The court of appeals held that because the trial court had not placed Banda’s attorney under oath, the attorney’s statements at a pretrial hearing were not evidence of a pre-suit settlement agreement. 935 S.W.2d 790, 794. We disagree.
Javier Garcia was in an automobile accident with Daniel Banda that rendered Garcia brain-damaged and incapacitated. Before filing suit, Garcia’s attorney, B. Mills Latham, sent a letter dated February 23, 1993 to Banda’s attorney, Shirley Mathis, offering to settle the case for $60,000. In the letter, Latham said that if he did not receive the checks and releases by March 12, 1993, the offer would be withdrawn. According to Mathis, she called Latham before the deadline and accepted the offer but told Latham that the parties would need extra time to file a friendly suit so that the court could appoint attorneys ad litem to represent the incapacitated Garcia and his infant daughter. La-tham allegedly agreed.
On March 24th, however, Latham notified Mathis that the settlement deadline had passed and that Garcia was filing suit against Banda. After Garcia sued, Banda filed a motion to enforce the settlement, alleging that Garcia had reneged on his agreement to extend the settlement deadline.
Latham did not attend the hearing on the motion to enforce, instead sending an associate, Pruett Moore, to represent Garcia. At the hearing, Mathis asserted that an oral agreement to extend the settlement deadline existed and that Latham had reneged on it. Moore denied that any oral agreement did in fact exist. The court of appeals held that Mathis’s unsworn statements at the hearing were not enough to support the trial court’s finding of an enforceable settlement agreement. 935 S.W.2d at 794.
[*272] Normally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence. See United States Gov’t v. Marks, 949 S.W.2d 320, 326 (Tex.1997); Fullenwider v. American Guar. & Liab. Ins. Co., 821 S.W.2d 658, 662 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1991, writ denied). As the court of appeals acknowledged, however, the opponent of the testimony can waive the oath requirement by failing to object when the opponent knows or should know that an objection is necessary. See 935 S.W.2d at 793 (citing Fullenwider, 821 S.W.2d at 662, and Bloom v. Bloom, 767 S.W.2d 463, 471 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1989, writ denied)); see also Beck v. State, 719 S.W.2d 205, 213 (Tex.Crim.App.1986).
Banda’s attorney, Mathis, did not take an oath before discussing the existence and terms of the oral settlement agreement. Nevertheless, Moore should have known to object to Mathis’s unsworn statements. The record shows that Mathis was clearly attempting to prove the existence and terms of the settlement agreement, including the agreement to extend the deadline, at the hearing. In fact, Mathis stated at the conclusion of her presentation that “as an officer of the .court I can just state under oath what—what I am telling the court and what my representations were by [sic] Latham and the understanding I had.” She also said that “this agreement that I’m testifying to today before the court as an officer of the court, if Mr. Latham felt so strongly about it, he is not present.” (emphasis added). Moreover, Mathis’s testimony was the only available evidence of the oral agreement to extend the deadline. Mathis therefore clearly placed Garcia’s attorney on notice that she was attempting to prove the existence and terms of the oral agreement.
Nevertheless, Moore still did not, at any time, object to the trial court’s failure to administer the oath. Therefore, Garcia waived any objection he had and Mathis’s statements to the court are some evidence of the settlement agreement. Accordingly, the court of appeals should have affirmed the trial court’s judgment enforcing the agreement. See Burrhus v. M & S Supply, Inc., 933 S.W.2d 635, 641 n. 4 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1996, writ denied) (holding that the trial court can consider attorney’s unsworn testimony as evidence if opponent does not object to lack of oath).
The court of appeals incorrectly relied on S & A Restaurant Corp. v. Leal, 892 S.W.2d 855, 857 (Tex.1995), for the alternative holding that any agreement was unenforceable because Garcia withdrew his consent before judgment was rendered. Because Banda did not make this argument in the trial court or in his brief to the court of appeals, the court of appeals could not reverse on this point. Tex.R.App. P. 33; San Jacinto River Auth. v. Duke, 783 S.W.2d 209, 210 (Tex.1990).
Accordingly, under Rule 59.1 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, the Court grants Banda’s application for writ of error and, without hearing oral argument, reverses the court of appeals and reinstates the trial court’s judgment.