The Harris County Law Library would like to keep our followers up-to-date with changes that some of our community resource partners have made to their services in light of COVID-19 and to provide our readers with some new developments.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL)
The staff at HVL are currently working remotely to continue to provide services to the public. Although they are no longer accepting in-person visitors, their commitment to the public continues with virtual pro se assistance and clinics. Please see HVL’s website for more information regarding these programs.
Harris County District Clerk
Effective March 18, 2020, the Harris County District Clerk’s Office suspended in-person services. Most services can be accessed directly through the office’s website, including sending payments, accessing and purchasing records, and more. The public is still able to call and email the office as well. Note that pro se litigants will be able to use the 24-hour filing drop box at the top of the stairs at 201 Caroline to the left of the building or mail in their filings. Please see the Harris County District Clerk’s website for the latest COVID-19 updates and court information.
TexasLawHelp.org
TexasLawHelp, one of our primary go-to sites for legal information and forms, has created a webpage to provide the public with links to news and information about the coronavirus (COVID-19). There, users will find:
links to major agencies and websites with the latest health information;
city and county-specific resources;
information about court closures, postponements, and updated procedures due to COVID-19;
information about legal rights;
information regarding free school meals during COVID-19 closure;
resources for uninsured Texans needing help with COVID-19 testing or treatment; and,
information about the coronavirus and child visitation.
State Bar of Texas
The State Bar of Texas has posted its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Its website has some useful information and links regarding court closures. It also has the latest guidance on court procedure, including any emergency orders issued by the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals, including the March 17 order that clarified possession schedules in Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship. There is also a link to the website of the Office of Court Administration for updated guidance on court procedures. For attorneys, there are links to free lawyer resources and webinars, and for the public, there are links to free legal resources.
Harris County Attorney
Did you know that the Harris County Attorney has the authority to file civil lawsuits to stop price gouging? County residents who feel that they have been charged an exorbitant price for necessities, such as food, fuel, or medicine, and who have been unable to resolve the issue with the provider of those goods and services can contact the office of the Harris County Attorney for assistance at ConsumerHelp@cao.hctx.net.
Ready Harris
Ready Harris, a website designed to help the community stay informed and be prepared should a disaster or emergency strike, provides information on how to prepare for a disaster, provides access to real-time alerts, and connects users with tools to aid in planning, recovering, and staying safe. Aside from providing the latest information about coronavirus and any requirements, the website includes a list of Harris County services, facilities,and meetings that are closed or have restricted access.