IN THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS.
BEXAR COUNTY. TEXAS

ORDER REGARDING COURT PROCEEDINGS PENDING
Com?19 STATE OF EMERGENCY

The World Health Organization has declared that the outbreak of the novel coronavirus,
COVID-19, has now become a global pandemic, having spread across more than 120 countries
with more than 3000 con?rmed cases in the United States. Governor Abbott has declared a state
of disaster in all 254 counties in the State of Texas in response to the imminent threat of the
COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
have issued an order that all courts in Texas, subject only to constitutional limitations, must
avoid risk to court staff, parties, attorneys, jurors, and the public. Bexar County Judge Nelson
Wolff has declared a public health emergency and has directed Bexar County rental property
owners to temporarily suspend evictions for at least the next 30 days. Local Administrative
Judge Ron Rangel has postponed all Bexar County jury trials through April 16, 2020. The Texas
Of?ce of Court Administration and the Texas Justice Court Training Center have recommended
that courts postpone all ?non-essential? cases.

THEREFORE, given the severity of the risk of the spread of 9, and taking into
consideration matters of public health, while reducing the size of public gatherings, the Justice of
the Peace Courts hereby ORDER:

1. All civil and criminal bench and jury trials scheduled to begin on any date ?om now
through April 16, 2020, are continued, to a date to be reset by each Court. Each
Court will contact litigants regarding a reset date as soon as practicable for the Court;

2. Court Dockets scheduled to begin on any date from now through April 16, 2020, are
continued, to a date to be reset by each Court. Each Court will contact litigants
regarding a reset date as soon as practicable for the Court;

3. Court Dockets on any date from now through April 16, 2020 will be limited to only
?essential court proceedings.? Essential court proceedings shall be limited to writs of
re-entry, writs of retrieval, writs of restoration, magistration of defendants in custody
and of fugitives from justice (in or out of custody), and repair and remedy cases that
materially affect the physical health or safety of .a tenant;

4. Nothing in this Order affects the ability of each Justice of the Peace Court?s inherent
discretion to ?thher adjust and/or modify each Court?s own dockets; and

5. Each Court will remain open during regular business hours (subject to further
review), continue to accept ?lings, service constituents, and review all matters ?led

by submission.

Because the current situation remains fluid and evolving, the Courts may modify and/or
extend the terms of this Order. Otherwise, this Order will remain in effect through April 16,

2020, and will then expire.

Furthermore, if a party or an attorney is exhibiting any COVID-19 including
fever, coughing or sneezing, or if one believes he or she may have been exposed to 
The Courts encourage those involved to make arrangements with each Court telephonically or

electronically.

SIGNED, ENTERED AND ORDERED this 16th day of March, 2020.

Hon. Robert Tejeda
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1

Bexar ty, Texas


Hon. Roberto A. Vazqu?z/

Justice of the Peace, Preci ct 2, Place 1
Bexar County, Texas

 

 

Hon. Ciro Rodriguez
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2
Bexar County, Texas

I-lo Wentworth
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 1
Bexar County, Texas