Justice of the Peace Precinct 2

***Please note, the JP 2 office be closed Wednesday Aug. 18 from 1-5 for training. We apologize for any inconvenience!***

– Justice of the Peace Beth Smith

Note: Our office is open, but please take the following steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

Social distancing is required; face coverings are appreciated, as is patience as we are all working to implement these guidelines in the most efficient and effective manner.

Citations may be paid on line at: https://govpay.net/hays-co-tx-jp2  Citations may also be paid over the phone with a credit card by calling 512.268.3151. Currently, the court will remain open to take calls and help walk in customers. It is highly recommended that customers use the online service.

Pursuant to the Order of The Supreme Court of Texas (Misc. Docket No. 20-9042) and The Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas (Misc. Docket No. 20-007) FIRST EMERGENCY ORDER REGARDING THE COVID-19 STATE OF DISASTER and all subsequent Orders and by recommendation of the State Office of Court Administration and the Presiding Judge of the Third Administrative Judicial Region, Billy Ray Stubblefield:

Hays County Justice of the Peace Court Dockets

Nonessential In-Person Hearings and Court Appearances were reset until June 1, 2020. Cases will be given a new date and you will receive notice in the mail of your re-set date. No warrants shall issue for a failure to appear on those dates. Any party who wishes to enter a plea or have a hearing may do so remotely. Please call or email the court for a hearing date.

On criminal cases, please contact the District Attorney’s Office for information on obtaining plea paperwork, signatures and fingerprint on the Judgment or other documents needed for a remote plea. All other criminal hearings, please contact the court for a hearing date.  

Jail Docket will be held via Zoom video conferencing

At this time, the only in-person hearings will be limited to Essential Proceedings (unless prior arrangements are made for an in-person hearing on a matter that cannot successfully be conducted remotely). Essential Proceedings will include CPS removal hearings, temporary orders, juvenile detention hearings, family violence protective orders, emergency guardianships, writs of habeas corpus and mental health proceedings. These hearings may also be held remotely by order of the Court.

NOTE: Uncontested or other non-essential contested matters, including civil, probate and guardianship cases, will be held remotely.

Hearings may be conducted via telephone or a reliable video-conferencing method currently available. The Texas Office of Court Administration (OCA) has provided for the ability to conduct court proceedings remotely via Zoom. All documents, including proposed orders, shall be e-filed prior to the hearing. Please call or email the court for a setting date and time.

For the public, The Open Courts Provision of Texas law allows all Texans access to court proceedings. The Judge, Bailiff and Court Reporter will conduct the hearings in open court, open to the public. In addition, Zoom allows a judge to easily stream the proceedings to the public via YouTube or Facebook.  The public may view or listen to the proceedings, but VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING IS PROHIBITED.  All courtroom rules and safety measures MUST be followed by Order of the Court.

IF ANYBODY IS HAVING SYMPTOMS SIMILAR TO COVID-19, RECENTLY TRAVELED INTERNATIONALLY OR OUT OF STATE, OR HAS COME IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS TRAVELED OR IS SICK, DO NOT COME TO COURT. CONTACT THE COURT AND THE COURT WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY SCHEDULING CHANGES TO ACCOMMODATE YOU.

Thank you for your patience and understanding,

Respectfully,
Beth Smith
Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2
Hays County, Texas
P.O. Box 1449
Kyle, TX 78640
512.268.3151

JP Courts Local Rules of Procedure

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