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HOUSTON MUNICIPAL COURTS EXTENDS SUSPENSION OF ALL JURY TRIALS AND JURY DUTY TO JANUARY 31, 2021 IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

November 16, 2020 -- Due to changing circumstances regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and 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 TRIALSand JURY DUTY through JANUARY 31, 2021 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 September 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021, resets will continue to be given in person at all City of Houston court locations.  The resets began Saturday, August 1, 2020 and will continue through Saturday, January 23, 2021 until 4:00 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 January 31, 2021, 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 Saturday, January 23, 2021 until 4:00 p.m., to receive a new court date. All jury trials will resume on Monday, February 1, 2021 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 January 23, 2021, an arrest warrant may be issued.
  • NO JURY DUTY.  Jury duty will resume Monday, February 1, 2021 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.