169994701010 / Court: 230
`
`IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS
`
`Misc, Docket No, 20-9042
`
`IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS
`
`Misc, Docket No, 20-007
`
`FIRST EMERGENCY ORDER REGARDING
`THE COVID-19 STATE OF DISASTER
`
`
`ORDERED that:
`1,
`Governor Abbott has declared a state of disaster in all 254 counties in the State of
`Texas in response to the imminent threat ofthe COVlD-19 pandemic, This order is issued pursuant
`to Section 22,0035(b) ofthe Texas Government Code,
`
`Subject only to constitutional limitations, all courts in Texas may in any case, civil
`2,
`or criminaliand must to avoid risk to court staff, parties, attorneys, jurors, and the publici
`without a participant’s consent:
`a,
`Modify or suspend any and all deadlines and procedures, whether
`prescribed by statute, rule, or order, for a stated period ending no later than 30 days after
`the Governor’s state of disaster has been lifted;
`
`Allow or require anyone involved in any hearing, deposition, or other
`b,
`proceeding of any kindiincluding but not limited to a party, attorney, witness, or court
`reporter, but not including a jurorito participate remotely, such as by teleconferencing,
`videoconferencing, or other means;
`
`Consider as evidence sworn statements made out of court or sworn
`c,
`testimony given remotely, out of court, such as by teleconferencing, videoconferencing, or
`other means;
`
`Conduct proceedings away fromthe court’s usual location, but inthe county
`d,
`ofvenue, and only with reasonable notice and access to the participants and the public;
`e,
`Require every participant in a proceeding to alert the court ifthe participant
`has, or knows of another participant who has, COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms, or a fever,
`cough or sneezing;
`f,
`Take any other reasonable action to avoid exposing court proceedings to the
`threat of COVID-19,
`
`All courts in Texas may extend the statute oflimitations in any civil case for a stated
`3,
`period ending no later than 30 days after the Governor’s state of disaster has been lifted,
`4,
`This Order is effective as of March 13, 2020, and expires May 8, 2020, unless
`extended by the Chief Justice ofthe Supreme Court,
`5,
`The Clerk ofthe Supreme Court is directed to:
`a,
`post a copy ofthis Order on wwwtxcouns,gov;
`b,
`file a copy of this Order with the Secretary of State; and
`c,
`send a copy of this Order to the Governor, the Attorney General, and each
`member ofthe Legislature,
`6,
`The State Bar of Texas is directed to take all reasonable steps to notify members of
`the Texas bar ofthis Order,
`
`Dated: March 13, 2020
`
`MISC Docket No 20-9042
`
`Page 2
`
`Sharon Keller, Presiding Judge
`
`m .mg 0L {9&th
`B‘iichgxel Keaslei': Judge
`
`
`
`(J {‘1
`.
`.
`
`DavklNeiwllJudge
`
`t
`
`
`
`Misc Docket Nu. 1079922
`
`paw;
`
`Mist. Docket i
`
`