United States District Court
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
SHERMAN DIVISION
SHERMAN COURTHOUSES STANDING ORDER NO. 2021-1
The Paul Brown United States Courthouse and the United States Courthouse Annex in
Sherman, Texas (the Sherman Courthouses), are public buildings in which the public is welcome.
In responding to the ongoing pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the
court has carefully considered many factors in balancing the rights of criminal defendants to a speedy
and fair trial by jury, the rights of civil litigants to a prompt and fair resolution of disputes, the right
of the public to “open courts,” and the safety of courthouse staff, jurors, witnesses, parties, observers,
and counsel.
It is therefore ORDERED, effective immediately, absent a specific order from the Court, for
the protection of the courthouse staff, litigants, attorneys, and observers, upon entry into the Sherman
Courthouses, all persons must comply with the following requirements:
a. All visitors, except a witness while testifying, and an attorney while examining
a witness or making a statement to a jury, must wear an appropriate face
mask or covering while inside the Sherman Courthouses in courtrooms, jury
rooms, public hallways, public restrooms, and elevators, unless excused from this
requirement by the judge. Witnesses shall testify unmasked;
b. For court employees and other tenants of the Sherman Courthouses who are
fully vaccinated for COVID-191, the wearing of an appropriate face mask or
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Individuals are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received
their second dose in a 2-dose series or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine.
covering while inside the Sherman Courthouses is optional. However, for
those court employees and other tenants of the Sherman Courthouses who
are not fully vaccinated, the wearing of an appropriate face mask or covering
while inside the Sherman Courthouses is required, unless excused from this
requirement by the judge;
c. Persons entering the Sherman Courthouses, other than jurors, must supply their own
face mask or covering;
d. Each person must maintain appropriate distancing from others in the Sherman
Courthouses, to include sitting at the location assigned by a member of the court
staff. Each person must follow the instructions of the court staff and Court Security
Officers to aid in maintaining distance in the Sherman Courthouses; and
e. Each person must use the hand sanitizer furnished at the front door upon entering the
.
Sherman Courthouses.
It is further ORDERED that these restrictions shall remain in place until modified or
rescinded by subsequent order.
SIGNED this 7th day of September, 2021.
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AMOS L. MAZZANT
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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