Editor's note: This story has been updated to extend the closure of the courts from May 1 to May 31st. Latest details from the City of Houston are below.
HOUSTON — The City of Houston Municipal Courts Department has extended the suspension of all court proceedings and jury duty through Sunday, May 31.
The suspension includes all jury and judge trials, jury duty, arraignments and parking adjudication hearings. All court functions are now scheduled to resume on Monday, June 1.
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Details from the City of Houston:
HOUSTON, Texas - In an effort to continue to encourage the health and safety of the public and court staff members from the spread of the COVID-19, the City of Houston Municipal Courts Department has extended the suspension of ALL JURY AND JUDGE TRIALS, JURY DUTY, ARRAIGNMENTS AND PARKING ADJUDICATION HEARINGS through May 31, 2020. All court functions will resume on Monday, June 1, 2020 unless further notification is provided. The Court remains open for all other proceedings.
Members of the public should contact a health care provider and not come to court if they have come into contact with someone who is experiencing symptoms or is experiencing symptoms similar to COVID-19. Once cleared by a physician, individuals may visit any City of Houston court location to speak with an Annex Judge to reset a case. CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
If you have missed court during the COVID-19 emergency, resets will be given in person at all City of Houston court locations beginning Monday, May 11, 2020 through Friday, May 29, 2020 until 5 p.m. Please visit the Municipal Courts’ website at www.houstontx.gov/courts for information on all court locations and hours of operation.
Through May 31, 2020, there will be:
• NO TRIALS, ARRAIGNMENTS OR COURT HEARINGS. If you are a DEFENDANT scheduled for court during this period, you do not have to appear. You must reschedule your setting in person no later than Friday, May 29, 2020 to receive a new court date. All court functions will resume on Monday, June 1, 2020 unless further notification is provided. It is important to note that if an individual fails to reset their case(s) during the reset period (5/11/2020 through 5/29/2020), an arrest warrant may be issued.
• NO JURY DUTY. If you are a Juror and have been scheduled for jury duty, you do not have to appear during this period. You do not need to reschedule your Jury Service. Jury duty will resume Monday, June 1, 2020 unless further notification is provided.
• NO PARKING ADJUDICATION HEARINGS. You may contest your parking citation at https://houstonparking.t2hosted.com/app/index.aspx.
For additional announcements and information please call the City of Houston Helpline at 3-1-1, or 713.837.0311 if outside of the City of Houston, or visit the Municipal Courts website at www.houstontx.gov/courts.