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Texas judges able to enforce COVID-19 positive quarantine orders if necessary

Judge Shelton said there have not yet been any cases of coronavirus patients refusing to quarantine, but he explained some of the court's options if it happened.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas — What happens if an infected patient refuses to self-quarantine? 

In Texas, there's a legal process to force them into isolation. Judges throughout the state have been appointed to handle the proceedings. 

In Southeast Texas, that's Judge Randy Shelton of the 279th Civil District Court in Jefferson County. 

Judge Shelton said there have not yet been any cases of coronavirus patients refusing to quarantine, but he explained some of the court's options if it were to happen.

"Putting them under a court order to stay at home, to where someone would check on them to ensure they are being in compliance," he said in a phone interview with 12News. "There were discussions about using ankle monitoring to ensure that. I mean the most extreme case, of course, would place someone in a secure facility until the disease runs its course."

Shelton said this is just a proactive measure so that the state is prepared. 

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