Free Access to Lexis (and more!) to Help You #StayHomeWorkSafe

As we all #StayHomeWorkSafe here in Harris County through April 30, access to legal research databases that are typically available at the Law Library may be hard to find. That’s why our law librarians are constantly working with our vendors to make more information available to you remotely during this difficult time. While you’re doing all you can to help stop the spread of COVID-19, we’re still here to help… virtually, of course.

Free Access to Lexis Advance

Access to professional legal resources, like LexisNexis, is essential for legal researchers. Tools like citators, headnotes, and annotations that help researchers determine if a case or statute is still “good law” are copyrighted and only available through expensive database subscriptions (learn more with our on-demand video training Blending Your Legal Research). That’s why free access to Lexis Advance is such a big deal and why we’re very pleased to announce that Harris County Law Library patrons can now sign up for a free 30-day account. Visit the registration page to sign up for your free account now.

Document Delivery from the Law Library’s Legal Research Databases

Even with free access to standard tools from Lexis at your disposal, not every copyrighted practice guide, form book, and treatise is available to you. Under normal circumstances, everyone has access to robust subscriptions from Lexis eBooks, Westlaw, Lexis Advance, HeinOnline, State Bar of Texas Practice Manuals, and more within steps of the courthouse on the Law Library’s research computers. To help maintain access while we’re all working remotely, our law librarians can make many of these materials available to you via email through our Virtual Reference Desk. If you need a document, let us know and one of our law librarians will provide it to you via email (subject to limitations set by the vendor) as soon as possible.

Additional Options to Stay Connected

More free access to legal research databases to keep you working while we #FlattenTheCurve:

Blending Your Research Resources

Learn more about incorporating free online resources into your legal research routine with the Law Library’s one-hour, on-demand CLE video titled “Blending Your Legal Research” Stream it now on our Legal Tech Institute Learn On-Demand page.

The Judge Is Zooming Into Your Living Room

Update (5/15/20): Please see revised orders concerning zoom hearings for local courts at justex.net. A collection of relevant links is conveniently available on the 310th District Court’s webpage.

With all of the shelter in place orders, including the Stay Home, Work Safe order here in Harris County that has been extended through April 30, many public spaces are closed to the public. Only businesses that provide essential services to the public are exempt from these orders and can remain open. What about court proceedings, such as trials and hearings, that might resolve disputes involving child custody, child support, or domestic violence cases? Wouldn’t these cases be considered “essential?” Yes, they would. In fact, the operation of courts and the functions of court clerks are deemed to be essential governmental functions. However, there are some limitations placed upon the courts with respect to in-person court proceedings. The Third Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster issued on March 19, 2020 by the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas prohibits courts from conducting non-essential proceedings in person contrary to any local, state, or national directive, regarding group size until at least May 8, 2020. However, proceedings deemed essential may be held in person so long as holding it remotely is not feasible or possible, with some exceptions, no more than 10 persons are gathered, and those present follow social distancing guidelines. Here, in Harris County, the Family District Courts have stated that essential matters include: protective order and family violence cases; habeas corpus and writs of attachment for children; CPS cases; judicial bypass cases; enforcement cases brought under Tex. Fam. Code ch. 157, if the respondent is in custody; suits and hearings with jurisdictional deadlines; and, other matters designated as essential in the court’s discretion. See the Harris County Family District Courts’ Policies and Procedures during COVID-19 for additional guidance.

Update (5/15/20): Please see revised orders concerning zoom hearings for local courts at justex.net. A collection of relevant links is conveniently available on the 310th District Court’s webpage.

What happens if your case falls under the category of non-essential? The Office of Court Administration, a state agency that acts under the direction and supervision of the Supreme Court of Texas, is giving judges the ability to stream and hold court proceedings via Zoom and YouTube. So what does that mean, especially for the self-represented litigant? To offer some guidance, TexasLawHelp.org has created a webpage that answers several questions the public might have about this relatively new concept of the virtual courtroom. There are discussions about rescheduling hearings, knowing if you have a court date through zoom, and presenting evidence to the judge. It is also important to read the tips for conducting yourself in the virtual courtroom and for practicing with Zoom prior to your scheduled hearing. If you are having difficulty with an internet connection, please read the article on TexasLawHelp.org about internet access.

Remember: the key thing is to be prepared just as you would if you were appearing in person before the judge. She may be in your living room, but you are still in her court.