Texas County Justice Center goes back to “Phase One”

(Houston)–Two persons working in and around the Texas County Justice Center in Houston have tested positive for Covid-19 this week. Because of this, Texas County Circuit Court has been moved back to Phase One operations. All in-person court proceedings are suspended with special exceptions. Even though Texas County Circuit Court is permitted to set an in-person hearing in an excepted proceeding, it is not required to do so, and instead is encouraged to handle such proceedings by audio conference or video conference if possible. All non-essential travel by judicial employees for work-related functions is suspended. The other three counties in the 25th Judicial Circuit–Pulaski, Phelps, and Maries–are under the least restrictive phase of court operations and are allowed to conduct in-person court proceedings.