Bell County Bar Association News

March 16, 2020

Attorneys/self represented litigants:

                The Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals here ordered all courts in Texas to take action to avoid exposing court proceedings to the threat of COVID-19.  To accommodate this directive until further notice, all proceedings in the 146^th District Court will be subject to the following:

• 1.       “Essential hearings” that will be conducted as usual are only for family violence protective orders, temporary restraining orders and other matters approved by the Court.
• 2.       Any other hearing will be conducted by telephone only, provided that all parties agree to a telephone hearing.  In such instances, the attorneys/self-represented litigants must make arrangements at least one day in advance through the court coordinator, who will provide further instructions.
• 3.       If you have a hearing already scheduled, contact the Court Coordinator (by telephone or email) and advise her of your plans.  If we do not hear from you your hearing will be removed from the docket.
• 4.       All statutory and court imposed deadlines are suspended until further notice.
• 5.       Please be patient.  We do not like this any more than you.  We will attempt to accommodate you as much as we reasonably can.

 Jack Jones
146^th District Court Judge

Stacy Dunivent
146^th District Court Coordinator

 

 

Please refer to notice below.

Family Law Attorneys Practicing in the 426th - COVID19_.pdf

See below regarding standard possession order.

Supreme Court - Standard Possession Order.pdf

Bell County Clerk's office COVID-19 protocol attached. Please take note.

Bell Co Clerk COVID-19 Protocol.pdf

Due to various government ordered shutdowns and closures, today I issued orders for the Rosebud, Lott and Mount Calm courts to allow defendants to request a COVID-19 Variance on all mail, fax, window, online, and in-person no-contest and guilty pleas.  

 The order ensures penalties for criminal acts but ensures that necessary financial resources are maintained by citizens so they can effectively respond to the crisis.

 Requests for deferred adjudications and Driver Safety Program are eligible for the variance. The COVID-19 Variance will reduce the fine or special expense fee amount by 50%. Court costs are not eligible for the variance.   Defendants, as always, may continue to exercise their rights and request indigency status, alternatives to payments, and payment plans.  This variance in no way limits a defendant's right to request a trial by judge or jury nor any other right provided by the US and Texas Constitutions. 

 Matthew G. Wright, Presiding Judge 

Please see attached Administrative Order.

Bell Co COVID-19.pdf

FREE CLE:

Practicing Law in the Shadow of COVID19 (webcast)
Mar 20, 2020 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm CT
MCLE Credit: 1 hr (includes 1 hr ethics)
MCLE No: 174081355
Applies to the Texas Bar College.

Register online via your Bar page.

ALSO: From Judge Nelson:

Please let members know that The IV-D Child Support Court will be closed until at least April 1, 2020, in accordance with directives from the Office of Court Administration-Austin.  This time frame may be extended to comply with any Bell County Court Suspensions as mandated by Judge Gordon Adams, Administrative District Judge and/or County Judge David Blackburn.

Attorneys should contact the Attorney General's Office in Temple to work out reset dates. 

 We appreciate everyone's cooperation during this time and are available to assist and answer any questions that may arise.

Thank you.

 

Michael J. Nelson

Associate Judge

P. O. Box 1145

Belton, TX 76513

Tel:  (254)-933-5373

Fax: (254)-933-5374

TEMPORARY CHANGES REGARDING THE PRETRIAL DOCKET IN CCL#2 

 Beginning March 16, 2020 and continuing until April 10, 2020 the following changes will be implemented regarding the Wednesday afternoon docket in the CCL#2..

 These changes are intended to reduce the number of people at Court proceedings

 Attorneys are encouraged to use alternate means already in place, such as Case Setting Forms and Agreed Motions for Continuance,  to make pretrial and revocation announcements.

 The defendant’s appearance at the Wednesday 1:15 p.m. docket is waived for pretrial and revocation announcements until after April 10, 2020.

 All Jury Trial and Jury Docket Calls between now and April 10, 2020 will be rescheduled.  Attorneys will need to contact the County Court Coordinator for new settings.

 All hearing other than the 1:15 Pretrial and Revocation Announcement scheduled for March 18, 2020 will be rescheduled.

 Further information regarding the docket will be forthcoming.

Attn attorneys who practice in CPS Court.

See the attached Announcement regarding the Lifesize Video Conference system.

If you have questions, give me a call.

Lifesize procedures.pdf

Cindi Parker

Please see the attached letter from Judge Jones, Judge Sims and Judge Cornish regarding the policy and procedure for attorney fee vouchers for the court appointed attorneys handling CPS Cases.

Also there is a fillable PDF form under Members Area/Forms for your convenience.  Please make sure that you discard all forms with Judge Van Orden's name and select the proper judge when submitting your form.

Policy and procedures fee vouchers 21120.pdf

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Cindi Parker

Court Coordinator

Centex Child Protection Courts

254-933-6726 (Office)