NOTIFICATION

325^TH District Court COVID-19 Procedures  

The health and safety of the litigants, lawyers, court staff and the general public is paramount during this challenging time.  In May, 2020, the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals have entered Emergency Orders modifying and suspending certain provisions related to court proceedings. In light of those orders and balancing the seriousness of the COVID-19 virus, the 325^th Family District Court will observe the following procedures:

SCREENING

Litigants and court participants are asked to screen themselves for the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or having been in close contact with a person who is confirmed to have COVID-19.  Litigants and/or court participants who exhibit any of these symptoms will not be admitted to the courtroom.  Please contact the court at 817-884-1537 if you are scheduled in the District Court and 817-884-1444 if you are scheduled to appear in the Associate Court.

HEARINGS

Pursuant to the procedure adopted by five of the six Family Law District Courts in Tarrant County, all dockets will be held pursuant to the Order issued effective June 1, 2020 available at this link:  For a copy of the Tarrant County District Courts Guidelines for Remote Hearings, please click on this link:   For a copy of the 325^th District Court’s specific instructions regarding remote hearings especially on the handling of exhibits for said hearings, please click on this link:

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Individuals who are over age 65 and individuals with serious underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune systems are compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer or other conditions requiring such therapy are considered to be vulnerable populations.

Persons who are considered to be a part of a vulnerable population are invited to identify themselves to the court by calling 817-884-1587 or emailing cdlopez@tarrantcounty.com to receive accommodations. Accommodations can include appearing virtually by Zoom or by telephone conference when appropriate.

STANDING ORDERS  

Five of the six Tarrant County Family District Courts have issued a Temporary Emergency Standing Order which is effective immediately and continues through December 31, 2020.  A copy of the standing order must be attached to all initial pleadings filed during the relevant time period.  A copy of the standing order is available at this link:

JURY TRIALS

Pursuant to the Texas Supreme Court Twenty-Second Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster, Tarrant County has suspended all jury trials until October 1, 2020.

Questions

Due to extremely high call volume, IT IS MORE EFFICIENT TO EMAIL THE COORDINATOR. Please email Cheryl Lopez at cdlopez@tarrantcounty.com.  She will do her best to respond to you as quickly as possible.

FUTURE

The court will re-evaluate this procedure at least weekly based on this rapidly evolving situation and will update the web page accordingly.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.