GO
 
en-USes-MX

Justice Center Operations

  Elected Officials   >   Justice Center Operations
Williamson County Justice Center

The front steps of the Williamson County Justice CenterWhether you are visiting this site because you have been summoned to serve as a juror, or you are an attorney representing your client, or you are a party for a case being heard in the Justice Center, we welcome you!

Williamson County has been very successful in transitioning to virtual operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, if you need to visit an office located at the Justice Center, please check with that office before you make the trip.

While we conduct much of our Court business via videoconference, some important functions at the Justice Center require individuals to appear in-person. We are very sensitive to the health concerns created by COVID-19. Because of this, the Judges at the Justice Center are working to limit in-person proceedings to only those which absolutely must take place. These include certain hearings and jury trials.

In-person hearings and trials are governed by the Justice Center Operating Plan, and the Jury Trial Addendum. Your health and safety is our priority; these documents have been developed in close coordination with the Williamson County Local Health Authority, and include measures taken to protect the health and welfare of all court participants.

Please review the video below, as well as the summary of the precautions in place at the Justice Center, and other you might find helpful.

Stay safe and well.

 
COVID-19 Precautions at Williamson County Justice Facilities

We have been able to handle some Court functions via video conference during the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, many Court proceedings require people to report in-person to our facilities.  Your health and safety is our priority.  Because of this, we have consulted with the Williamson County and Cities Health District and developed measures to protect the health and welfare of all court participants. 

Please review the video below, as well as the information concerning protective measures taken in and around Williamson County Justice facilities. 

Important

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, or recent exposure to COVID-19, please do not come to the Justice Center or any other Court facility. Please contact your medical provider for further guidance.

Screening

  • Anyone entering the Justice Center or any other Court facility, including staff, jurors, witnesses, parties, and attorneys, will have temperature taken and asked to complete a questionnaire to determine if they have COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19 exposure.
  • Individuals who report symptoms, exposure, or who have an elevated temperature will not be allowed to enter the Court facility.

Face Coverings

  • All persons entering a Court facility are required to wear a face covering (mask) at all times, unless they are in a group who are not recommended to wear a mask per Centers for Disease Control or Texas Department of Health Services guidelines.
  • All participants are required to wear face coverings in Courtrooms.
  • A person who must lower their face covering to speak must be behind a plastic shield.

Social Distancing

  • Social distancing will be required in Court facilities, including limits on the capacity of rooms and elevators.

Cleaning & Disinfection

  • Hand sanitizer will be available throughout Court facilities.
  • Frequent cleaning of courtrooms and other facilities will take place at breaks and throughout each day, including an in-depth cleaning each evening.
  • Shared spaces (such as witness stands) will be cleaned during transition of the spaces.

Other Protective Measures

  • Disposable microphone covers will be used on microphones that are shared (i.e. witness stand microphone).
  • Judges have requested that attorneys limit the use of physical or paper evidence and use digital evidence instead if possible.  If physical evidence must be passed, individuals will be provided with gloves to wear when handling the exhibit/evidence.