Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley has signed a declaration of local disaster due to a public health emergency.

The order was signed to help contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Tarrant County.  

Click here to view Tarrant County COVID-19 Information

Supreme Court Strikes Down CDC Eviction Moratorium

The United States Supreme Court has held that the CDC does not have the legal authority to impose a nationwide moratorium on evictions. Click here to vew the Court’s decision.

As a result of this decision, justice courts no longer need to inform a landlord in an eviction case of the CDC moratorium or ask the landlord if they wish to wait until the expiration of the moratorium to proceed with their case. The CDC moratorium has been vacated and a CDC Declaration is no longer an adequate basis for a stay of an eviction case. If a case was previously stayed because of the filing of a CDC Declaration, the court may now proceed with the case.

However, this decision does not affect the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP).

State of Texas Eviction Diversion Program  

The Supreme Court of Texas has issued its 37th Emergency Order, renewing the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) Set-Aside of the Texas Rent Relief (TRR) Program. The TEDP helps Texas tenants stay in their homes and provides landlords an alternative to eviction.

Click here to read the 37th Emergency Order in its entirety.

36th Emergency Order

The Supreme Court of Texas has issued its 36th Emergency Order, effective immediately.  Authority for courts to take steps to eliminate the risk of the spread of COVID, including modifying or suspending deadlines and procedures, is extended until June 1, 2021.

Click here to read the 36th Emergency Order in its entirety.

Click here to access all current orders issued by the Texas Supreme Court

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 on a first come-first served basis and as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Justice Court, Pct. 1

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 courtroom 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 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 someone who was within six feet of someone with the virus or an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes (or more) over a 24-hour period, starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
• 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.
  
• Hand sanitizing – hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors to sanitize their hands before entering the courtroom as well as the court's office area.

Jury Trials will resume June 1, 2021.

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

Tarrant County COVID-19 Mobile Testing

https://www.txcovidtest.org/

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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 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.  To learn if your situation 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 help 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 Rental Assistance Program

The 2020 Care 4 Tarrant program provided rental assistance to over 2,300 households within Tarrant County, but a large need still exists. Through ERAP, Tarrant County hopes to continue providing rent and utility assistance to residents financially hurt by COVID-19.

ERAP is open to Tarrant County renters outside the cities of Fort Worth and Arlington.

Click here for more information about Tarrant County Rental Assistance Program

Click here to view FAQs about ERAP

Click here to view documentation requirements for ERAP

State of Texas Eviction Diversion Program  

Click here for more information about the Texas Eviction Diversion Program

Tarrant County Homeless Coalition

For questions regarding the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, please call 817-392-7540.

Click here for more information about the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition

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 mainline at 817-534-0814. The agency’s friendly staff will be working to solve limited financial assistance and long-term case management needs and will be happy to direct calls to community partners if they are unable to assist for any reason.

• Crisis Assistance: Financial assistance for rent and utilities, gift card distribution for food and 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 to emergency needs.

Click here to visit Catholic Charities Fort Worth for Crisis Assistance  

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

Free/Low-Cost Legal Assistance

Click here to find free or low-cost legal assistance