The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas announced on Mar. 18 that it will exclude a period of time from speedy trial calculations in the El Paso division because of a measles outbreak at the West Texas Detention Facility.
The decision affects defendants whose cases are pending during this period, as well as the public’s interest in timely trials. The court said that the “end of justice outweigh[s] the interest of the Defendants and of the public in a speedy trial,” citing concerns related to health and safety at the detention facility.
According to the announcement, all days from March 5, 2026 through March 25, 2026 will not be counted toward deadlines set by the Speedy Trial Act under Title 18 U.S.C. Section 3161. This exclusion is made pursuant to Section 3161(h)(7)(A), which allows courts to delay proceedings when necessary for reasons such as public health emergencies.
The order applies specifically to cases within the El Paso division and is intended to address disruptions caused by the ongoing measles outbreak at West Texas Detention Facility. The court has provided access to its official order online for those seeking further details about this temporary measure.
This action reflects how courts may respond to unforeseen events like disease outbreaks that impact both legal timelines and community safety.
