All employees and visitors to Tarrant County businesses will be required to wear face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This requirement begins at 6 p.m. Friday, June 26, 2020 and will run through 6 a.m. August 3, 2020.

Click here to view a copy of the Executive Order by County Judge Whitley  

Justice Court, Pct. 1 is now open for all matters to include weddings. We encourage our customers to continue to utilize E-File Texas and E-File Texas Self-help to file new cases or file into your existing case. In cases where utilizing our online tools is not feasible, please call in advance to schedule an appointment.   

During any crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic, safety comes first. Recognizing the need to ensure the health and safety of litigants, attorney, visitors, court staff, judges, and other individuals, the below court procedure changes have been made;

Before being allowed access to the court room as well as the court’s office area. Visitors will be asked the following questions:

• Are you experiencing any of the following COVID-19 symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit?
• Is a member of your household experiencing any of these symptoms?
• Have you, or any member of your household, been tested for COVID- 19?
• Have you been in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19?
  • Close contact is defined as…
    •  i.   Spending more than a few minutes near someone confirmed to have COVID-19. This could be anything from riding in the same car as an infected individual, holding an extended conversation, working together in a confined space such as a conference room, or eating lunch next to each other.
    • ii.  Living, caring for, or visiting an infected individual or sharing a health care waiting room or treatment room.
• Have you or a member of your household been directed to quarantine by a health care provider or government agency?
• Have you, or a member of your household, recently traveled internationally?

If you answer YES to any of the questions outlined above, please DO NOT come in person. Contact the court at 817-884-1395 or JP1court@tarrantcounty.com.

If you answer NO, you will be required to follow the social distancing and health guidelines below.

• Respect Social Distancing as it will be strictly enforced in our office.
• Face coverings MUST be worn at all times.
  • If a visitor does not have a face covering, one will be provided to them.
• Hand sanitizing – visitors will utilize the hand sanitizer provided to sanitize their hands before entering the court room as well as the courts office area.
• No more than 3 visitors will be allowed in the court office area at one time.
  • Until further notice, all weddings will be limited to the wedding party ONLY.

All Jury Trials have been postponed through August 2020.

• The court understands that timely resolution of cases is important to all parties. Therefore, we want to make you aware of several options that will allow you to continue with your case without further delay.
  
  •  If you wish to withdraw your jury request, please submit your request in writing to JP1court@tarrantcounty.com.  Once the request is received by the court, your case will be set for our earliest E-Court Hearing/Trial docket date through ZOOM.

Click here to download a copy of the COVID-19 Safety Guidelines in English and Spanish

On May 26, 2020, the Supreme Court issued a new order stating:

Any deadline for filing or service of any civil case that falls on a day between March 13, 2020 and July 1, 2020, is extended until August 15, 2020. This does not include deadlines for perfecting appeal or for other appellate proceedings, requests for relief from which should be directed to the court involved and should be generously granted.

Click here to download a copy of the Supreme Court Emergency Order Issued on May 26, 2020

On May 14, 2020, the Supreme Court issued a new order as it pertains to Eviction cases, which states the following:

Beginning May 19, 2020, eviction proceedings may resume and deadlines are no longer tolled, and beginning May 26, 2020, warnings may be posted and writs of possession may be executed.

For eviction proceedings filed from March 27, 2020, through July 25, 2020, a sworn petition containing “a description of the facts and grounds for eviction” required by Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 510.3(a)(2) must state that the premises are not subject to the moratorium on evictions imposed by Section 4024 of the CARES Act.

Consumer Debt

Issuance and service of writs of garnishment and turnover orders may resume, but an individual judgment debtor or receiver shall be entitled, upon request, to a hearing (either in person or remotely, as local circumstances permit), within two business days of the court’s receipt of the request, to determine what funds are attributable to a stimulus payment received pursuant to Section 2201 of the CARES Act.

NOTICE DEFENDANTS: IF YOU RECEIVED A STIMULUS PAYMENT FROM THE IRS UNDER THE CARES ACT, THE AMOUNT YOU RECEIVED MAY BE SUBJECT TO A COURT STAY PROTECTING THOSE FUNDS DURING THE CURRENT EMERGENCY. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO REQUEST A HEARING WITH THE COURT, AND THE COURT WILL CONSIDER YOUR REQUEST ON AN EXPEDITED BASIS.

Click here to download a copy of the Supreme Court Emergency Order Issued on May 14, 2020

Please view information on the Coronavirus Stimulus Bill (CARES Act).

COVID Related Job Loss Eviction Assistance

Tarrant County’s Human Services Department may be able to provide you assistance if you have been evicted or about to be evicted due to a reduction of income related to a Covid related job loss and your income is below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.  To learn if your situation is one that may qualify, contact Human Services by calling 817-531-5620,  Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m..

Emergency Help for Fort Worth Families (Assists Renters and Homeowners with a Mortgage)

The City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services Department is accepting applications to help residents with housing and other household expenses resulting from COVID-19. CARES Act Funds helps residents who have suffered economically from the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020.

Click here to download a copy of the Emergency Help for Fort Worth Families

Tarrant County COVID-19 Mobile Testing

https://www.txcovidtest.org/

Tarrant County Rental Assistance Program

http://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/county/social-services/rental-assistance-program.html

Catholic Charities of Fort Worth

While many community agencies may have to close their doors, Catholic Charities Fort Worth is open and still serving clients as usual while accepting new clients. Anyone seeking help should call CCFW’s main line at 817-534-0814. The agency’s friendly staff will be working to solve for limited financial assistance and long-term case management needs and will be happy to direct calls to community partners if they are unable to provide assistance for any reason.

• Crisis Assistance: Financial assistance for rent and utilities, gift card distribution for food and basic necessities, SNAP enrollment assistance, and case management assistance (this means we offer immediate relief for this crisis, as well as holistic services to help you build financial stability - thus preparing you for any potential future crisis).
• Transportation: Transportation for employment, medical, education, public benefits offices and quality of life trips.
• Immigration Services: We cover all areas of family-based immigration, humanitarian relief, and citizenship services.
•  Dental Clinic: We are open for emergency needs.

Click her to visit Catholic Charities Fort Worth for Crisis Assistance  

Continue to check our website for updates as more information becomes available.

With the recent developments regarding COVID-19,  we are experiencing heavier than normal call volume. If you have any questions or concerns, we strongly encourage you to email these to JP1Court@tarrantcounty.com. We will answer your email at first come-first served basis and as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Justice Court, Pct. 1

Accessibility Notice: Due to the complexity of the preceding documents, these documents are scanned images. If you require assistance in accessing the information, please contact Justice Court One at 817-884-1395.