Municipal Courts
Public Information Office: Press Releases
CITY OF HOUSTON MUNICIPAL COURTS EXTENDS SUSPENSION OF ALL JURY TRIALS TO AUGUST 3, 2020 TO CONTINUE THE PROMOTION OF SAFE DISTANCING IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
May 29, 2020 -- 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 TRIALSthrough August 3, 2020 in conjunction with the Texas Supreme Court’s Order. 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 are 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. Masks/facial coverings must be worn at all times within the courthouse facility. Temperatures will be taken before entry is granted. Please visit the Municipal Courts’ website at www.houstontx.gov/courts for continued updates on all court locations and hours of operation.
If your jury trial was scheduled from June 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020, resets will be given in person at all City of Houston court locations beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2020 through Friday, September 4, 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. It is important to note that if an individual fails to reset their case(s) when Municipal Court resumes operations, an arrest warrant may be issued.
Through August 3, 2020, there will be:
- NO JURY TRIALS. If you are a DEFENDANT scheduled for jury trial during this period, you do not have to appear. You must reschedule your setting in person no later than Friday, September 4, 2020 until 5:00 p.m., to receive a new court date. All jury trials will resume on Monday, August 3, 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 by September 4, 2020, an arrest warrant may be issued.
- NO JURY DUTY. If you have been scheduled for Jury Duty at the City of Houston Municipal Courts during the period of June 1, 2020-June 19, 2020 at the Central location at 1400 Lubbock or the Westside location at 3202 South Dairy Ashford, you do not have to appear, and you do not have to reschedule your jury service. Jury duty will resume Monday, August 3, 2020 unless further notification is provided.
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.