Judges may again require masks in Williamson County courtrooms

Residents entering court at the Williamson County Justice Center may be requested to wear masks as the county deals with a climbing number of COVID-19 cases.

In an Aug. 4 news release, Williamson County stated judges may require masks at their discretion. Judges have the ability to require masks in courtrooms under Gov. Greg Abbott’s May executive order, according to the county.

Judges also have the ability to remove the mask requirement for people in their individual courtroom, the county release states.

People visiting the center who are not entering courtrooms will not require masks, the county stated in its release. This includes people entering the building for business such as visiting the county clerk’s or district clerk’s office.

“The Williamson County judiciary is focused on ensuring the courts are safely able to provide uninterrupted access to justice for everyone in our county,” said Betsy Lambeth, the local administrative district judge for Williamson County, in the Aug. 4 news release. “These measures will allow us to do that and give court participants confidence in their health and safety as they have their day in court.”