COVID-19 UPDATE: FEDERAL COURTS IN TEXAS POSTPONE JURY TRIALS UNTIL 2021

Due to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, most federal courts across Texas have declared there will be no federal jury trials for the remainder of 2020.  The Northern and Western Districts have kept the possibility open for resuming jury trials in early January 2021, while in the Southern District, the Houston Division set January 19, 2021 as the target date for resuming jury trials.   Meanwhile, the Eastern District closed the federal courthouses in Texarkana and Sherman “effective immediately” after a COVID-19 outbreak among the jurors in a commercial case forced the court to declare a mistrial last week.  They will stay closed until at least Dec. 4.  However, the Eastern District has remained quiet on when it intends to resume jury trials.