1405 CAMPBELL AVENUE, STE. 101 2020 03 19 PHONE 830-769-3572
JOURDANTON, TX 78026-3421 coordinator@81-218.txcourts.gov
81
ST
AND 218
TH
DISTRICT COURTS
ATASCOSA, FRIO, KARNES LA SALLE & WILSON COUNTIES
VISIT https://81-218.txcourts.gov/ FOR LATEST UPDATES
March 19, 2020
Re: First Directive for Criminal Defendants on Bond in District Court.
In the interest of the safety and welfare of the public, attorneys, defendants, and
courthouse staff, the 81
st
and 218th County Civil District Courts have made the
following decisions regarding the criminal defendants on bond in Atascosa, Frio,
Karnes, La Salle and Wilson Counties.
Beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, personal appearance at criminal dockets
will be limited to defendants who are in custody. Dockets for defendants who
have been released on bond are suspended. Defendants released on bond, who
have completed and filed with the District Clerk the ACKNOWWLEDGEMENT
OF SUSPENSION OF CRIMINAL DOCKETS DUE TO COVID-19 AND
RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP COURT INFORMED OF ADDRESS form,
found below, need not personally appear at previously scheduled dockets.
This directive will remain in effect until further orders are made, or until 30 days
the termination of the state of disaster declared by the Governor in response to
COVID-19, whichever comes first. Visit https://81-218.txcourts.gov/
for the
latest updates.
The District Judges retain the inherent discretion to add or remove a case from
the criminal dockets. The District Judges expect that a system will shortly be in
place to allow criminal matters to be heard by teleconference. This Directive
does not suspend a defendant’s duty to appear at a teleconference hearing, or
trial.
To the extent allowed by the Texas Supreme Court’s and Texas Court of Criminal
Appeal’s First Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
, or
subsequent orders, all deadlines and procedures for criminal defendants released
on bond, whether prescribed by statute, rule, or order, are stayed, until further
order, for a period ending not later than 30 days after the Governor’s state of