El Paso Municipal Court To Reopen On June 1 With Restrictions

The El Paso County Courthouse and the El Paso Municipal Court have been closed down for months due to the coronavirus outbreak. There have been hearings and trials via Zoom during that time, but the Municipal Court has reopened for in-person court proceeding and business transactions beginning today, June 1.

Officials say they worked to create safety guidelines to protect visitors and employees from possible COVID-19 exposure with a Safety and Health Plan at all court locations. Under the plan only the person who got a citation will be allowed into Muni Court facilities. If there is a person with a disability, they may be accompanied by a legal guardian or caregiver. The same holds true for juveniles.

If you are going to enter a Muni Court facility, you will be given a temperature check by a security guard and will be asked if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

Everyone will be required to follow social distancing guidelines. If you are there as a visitor, you will be required to wear a face covering or mask, and use hand sanitizer stations as well. The Court has put social distancing signs and markings up in each Muni Court facility including inside courtrooms. Anyone inside a courtroom will have to sit six-feet apart.

Court dates and location of appearance notices with instructions on requesting attendance remotely have been mailed out by the Muni Court. If you were scheduled to appear at the 9600 Dyer location between March 23 and May 30, and did not get a new court date by September 30, you are encouraged to check the status of your case by contacting the court.

If you need to make a payment to the Municipal Court you can do so online, by phone, by mail, or at any drop box at Court locations. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or are part of the vulnerable population, you can speak with a Muni Court representative to determine an alternative scheduled hearing. If you need to get more information about your case in the Municipal Court system, you can call (915) 212-0215.