Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community.
Important links
State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources Page — Texasbar.com/coronavirus
Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program Well-being Resources page — Texasbar.com/remote-well-being
Free assistance available for low-income individuals grappling with civil legal problems as result of coronavirus pandemic — This service is a partnership among the State Bar of Texas, the state’s legal aid agencies, volunteer organizations, and access-to-justice organizations. — KYTX – Tyler
Texas Supreme Court coronavirus update — All service and statute-of-limitations deadlines have been delayed in civil cases from March 13 until June 1 unless the chief justice extends it. — Texas Bar Blog
COVID-19 and family law: What every attorney needs to know — Family law judges and practitioners have worked swiftly to respond to changes affecting family law clients and their children. — Texas Bar Blog
Texas court delays 3rd execution in midst of virus outbreak — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ordered a 60-day delay of Fabian Hernandez’s scheduled April 23 execution. — The Associated Press
Board of Law Examiners: July Texas Bar Exam still on schedule — The Texas Board of Law Examiners reports it continues to prepare for the July 2020 Texas Bar Exam as scheduled and no extensions have been made to application deadlines. — Texas Bar Blog
Border wall lawsuits delayed by virus — Two federal lawsuits against those involved in the construction of a private border wall south of Mission have become the latest court proceedings to be delayed by the coronavirus. — The (McAllen) Monitor
US again postpones immigration hearings for migrants in Mexico due to coronavirus — The U.S. government said on Wednesday that due to the coronavirus outbreak it had postponed court hearings for non-Mexican migrants waiting in Mexico. — Reuters
Gov. Abbott says religious services are essential — so can churches still meet? Here’s what he says. — In a time when people aren’t supposed to gather, what can and can’t houses of worship do? — KUT – Austin
Texas unemployment rate headed toward double digits, comptroller warns — Texas reported a record low unemployment rate of 3.5% in January. The historic high was 9.2% in 1986. — The Texas Tribune
A president Is not able to order a national quarantine, experts say — Could the president order a national lockdown, or place states under quarantine? Legal experts say not really. — NPR
Needy will face hurdles to getting coronavirus stimulus — The Treasury reversed guidance that would have required millions of Social Security recipients to file returns, but many other low-income people will have to submit them. — The New York Times
President Trump offers drowning restaurant industry one solution: Tax deductions — President Trump has suggested changing tax deductibility law as a way of helping the restaurant industry. — NPR
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