Commissioners discuss, approve operating plan for courts, courtrooms

Through the COVID-19 Operating Plan for the Young County Judiciary, local courtrooms will begin the process of reopening under certain precautions. Non-essential in-person proceedings can begin no sooner than June 1.

Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht asked local administrative judges to establish an operating plan to re-open courtrooms across the state. The commissioners approved the plan Tuesday, May 26, which was set forth by the administrative judges for Region 8.

“They (Region 8 Administrative Judges) have called upon the local administrative district judge, which in this case is Stephen Bristow, to make rules regarding the reopening of the courts for in-person hearings after June 1,” Young County Judge John Bullock said. “It is mandated that he put together these orders, it’s mandated that he council with the local court authority and with myself and so we can bring it to the attention of the courts since the commissioners court operates basically at the courthouse with regard to things that go on here and how we operate.”

In addition to commissioners court, this includes rules for county court and district court that hold proceedings in the courthouse.

For the full story, see the Saturday, May 30 edition of The Graham Leader.