Del Rio Federal Courts Delayed to 1 PM Monday Amid Ice Warning

Del Rio federal courts and associated offices will have a delayed opening at 1:00 pm on Monday, January 26, 2026, because of an ice threat and below-freezing temperatures that prompted a winter storm warning. The temporary change affects in-person operations at the Del Rio offices of the United States District Courts, the United States District Clerk, United States Probation, United States Pre-Trial Services, and the United States Federal Public Defender.

The court posted the operational change on January 23. The announcement states: "Due to the inclement weather forecasted within the area and the National Weather Service’s winter storm warning for ice accumulation with below freezing temperatures, and for the safety of our employees, it is hereby ORDERED that the Del Rio offices of the United States District Courts, the United States District Clerk, the United States Probation, the United States Pre-Trial Services, and the United States Federal Public Defender shall have a delayed opening on Monday, January 26, 2026 opening at 1:00 pm." The notice was posted by Matthew Carpenter, United States District Court - Western District of Texas.

The delayed opening is intended to reduce safety risks for court staff and the public while ice accumulates on roads and walkways. For Val Verde County residents who have business with the federal courts in Del Rio, the late opening will affect access to filing windows, in-person hearings, probation and pre-trial appointments, and in-person consultations with the Federal Public Defender. Attorneys, jurors, witnesses, and litigants should anticipate altered schedules and potential rescheduling of matters originally set for Monday morning.

Local stakeholders should monitor communications from the court. The posted order is a specific operational decision for the Del Rio offices; it does not address proceedings in other courthouses in the Western District of Texas. Where hearings or deadlines are governed by standing orders or by judges’ individual schedules, those offices will determine whether matters proceed, are continued, or are converted to telephonic or video appearances. The court’s cited priority is employee and public safety amid forecasts of ice accumulation and sustained subfreezing temperatures.

The delayed opening also has practical ripple effects across the county. Law enforcement agencies that coordinate transports, private attorneys with tight schedules, and community members relying on in-person court services should plan for condensed business hours and potential follow-up appointments later in the day. Those with appointments or scheduled court appearances on Monday should verify their status before traveling to the courthouse.

This decision balances access to federal court services with safety considerations for employees and the public. Expect further notices from the United States District Court - Western District of Texas if weather conditions change or if additional adjustments to operations become necessary.