San Antonio’s Cadena‑Reeves Justice Center is grappling with a serious elevator shortage that is disrupting court operations and raising security concerns. For almost three weeks, only one of the four public elevators has been operational, and a fifth elevator used to move inmates through the courthouse has recently gone out of service.
Judicial frustration over delays
379th District Court Judge Ron Rangel told reporters that complaints about late docket calls have become a daily occurrence. “There is not a day that goes by in this courtroom and in this courthouse where I have not heard complaints from people that have told me I am late for docket calls,” he said.
The limited elevator availability affects attorneys, witnesses, defendants, and members of the public who need to reach courtrooms on time. When the inmate‑transport elevator failed, staff have been forced to move people in custody through back hallways near judges’ offices and jury rooms, a practice that Judge Rangel warned could create security risks, especially during jury trials.
“Imagine those same inmates walking in the back hallways with all these jurors that are members of the public,” Rangel said.
He added that courthouse staff typically try to keep jurors from seeing defendants in restraints or being escorted, because such exposure could influence a trial. “We’ve taken great pains to make sure that inmates that we bring into the courtrooms do not come across potential jurors that would see them shackled or escorted,” he explained.
County response and repair timeline
Bexar County officials acknowledge the problem and have issued a statement outlining their repair plan. According to the county, one passenger elevator remains operational, a second is expected to be back in service before the end of the week, and a third should be restored after a new motor is installed within the next two weeks. The fourth passenger elevator is out of service and will stay that way until a full modernization project, funded and slated for completion in roughly 18 months, is finished.
Regarding the inmate‑transport elevators, the county said one of the four dedicated elevators is currently down but should be back in operation within two to three days.
“Repair and restoration times depend on parts and technician availability,” the statement read. “Due to the age of the equipment and elevator systems, sourcing compatible parts is challenging and can result in longer repair times.”
Accessibility concerns
Judge Rangel also highlighted that the limited elevator service raises accessibility issues for individuals with disabilities. “The law says that these buildings have to provide accommodations for them,” he said. “Up until this point, I have not seen any.”
He urged county officials to address these concerns promptly, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safe, accessible facilities for all members of the public.
What’s next?
KSAT will continue to monitor the situation and report on the county’s progress in restoring full elevator service. In the meantime, court users are advised to plan for potential delays and to follow any guidance from courthouse staff regarding alternative routes and security protocols.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
