News Flash

Notice to Attorneys & Members of the Public Regarding Certain Court Cancellations for Monday (March 16^th) and Tuesday (March 17^th)

The District and County Court at Law Judges in Ellis County believe there are positive benefits to our local health care provider teams, the community at large, and our county employees in delaying, containing, and minimizing the impact of any potential future cases of Covid-19 within Ellis County.

Accordingly, the Judges will be meeting on Monday to conclude an agreed policy statement regarding how our local trial courts will continue to function amid Covid-19 concerns, and how the courts will handle civil, criminal, family, juvenile, mental health, probate, and all other legal matters.

In the interim, please be advised that the District Court and County Court at Law Judges have canceled all non-essential or non-core legal matters which are scheduled for Monday (March 16^th) and Tuesday (March 17^th); however, all essential court proceedings will take place as scheduled.

Essential court proceedings include criminal writs, scheduled criminal pleas, initial CPS removal hearings, temporary restraining orders, temporary injunctions, family law 14-day hearings for temporary orders, juvenile detention hearings, family violence protective orders, and certain mental health proceedings.

The preceding list does not represent a complete summary of all essential court proceedings, so please feel free to email or phone the respective Court Coordinator if you have any questions. Importantly, where applicable, we encourage you to communicate with opposing counsel concerning any agreements which can be reached.

Thank you,

Judge Bob Carroll, 40^th District Court

Judge William Wallace, 378^th District Court

Judge Cindy Ermatinger, 443^rd District Court

Judge Jim Chapman, County Court at Law No. 1

Judge Gene Calvert, County Court at Law No. 2