The Supreme Court of Texas | Task Force to Ensure Judicial Readiness in Times of Emergency

Task Force to Ensure Judicial Readiness in Times of Emergency

The Supreme Court of Texas


In an order [pdf] issued November 20, 2007, the Supreme Court of Texas appointed this task force to begin design and implementation of an emergency program to prevent or manage disrupted court operations throughout the state in emergencies. Under its charge in the order [pdf] creating the group, the Task Force to Ensure Judicial Readiness in Times of Emergency will identify existing gaps in court security, abilities to operate and other preparedness functions and response policies, procedures, and programs within the Texas judiciary. It will develop an interim plan to fill gaps it identifies in the beginning, then design emergency an management program, oversee it and work with court officials and others outside the judicial system to install it.

The planning will include developing response plans for adoption by individual courts that would continue operations in the event of hurricanes, pandemics, violence, terrorism and threats to computer systems. Task force members will identify ways to ensure that response plans adopted by Texas courts are consistent with regional and statewide procedures, that plans are tested and that court staffs and emergency response teams are trained.

Denise Davis of Austin, special counsel with the Baker Botts law firm, chairs the task force, and Justice Don Willett is the Court's liaison.

The Task Force has been divided into committees, whose composition and charges are summarized in these documents:

  • Task Force Committee Assignments [pdf]
  • Task Force Charges [pdf]

Latest News

  1. Border Issues Report [pdf] - Posted 10/09/2008
  2. Interim Plan to Ensure Judicial Readiness in Times of Emergency [pdf]
  3. Next Meeting: December 16 (10:00 a.m.) [Agenda]
    Office of Court Administration, Tom C. Clark Bldg.
    205 W. 14th St., Suite 600
  4. Draft minutes are listed in the Meetings page.

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Updated: 15-Dec-2008