Rule 500.9.Appearances at Court Proceedings

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 500.9 lets a justice-court judge allow or require participants — and the judge — to appear electronically by videoconference or teleconference, sets factors for that decision, requires notice, and protects public access to a fully electronic proceeding.

Full Text of Rule 500.9

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

(a) Participant Method of Appearance. A judge may allow or require a participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means.

(b) Judge Method of Appearance; Location. A judge may appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means. However, if appearing electronically, a judge must conduct the court proceeding from the judge’s office or courtroom at times prescribed by the commissioner’s court, as provided by statute.

(c) Factors. In determining whether to allow or require electronic participation, the judge should consider factors such as:

(1) case type;

(2) the number of parties and witnesses;

(3) the type of evidence to be submitted, if any;

(4) technological restrictions such as lack of access to or proficiency in necessary technology;

(5) travel restrictions such as lack of transportation, distance, or inability to take off work;

(6) whether a method of appearance is best suited to provide necessary language access services for a person with limited English proficiency or accommodations for a person with a disability;

(7) any previous abuse of a method of appearance; and

(8) any agreement or objection by the parties.

(d) Notice. If the judge allows or requires a participant to appear electronically, the judge must provide reasonable written notice of the electronic participation and include the notice in the papers of the case. The notice must contain the information needed for participants to participate in the proceeding, including instructions for joining the proceeding electronically, the court’s designated contact information, and instructions for submitting evidence to be considered in the proceeding.

(e) Open Courts. If the judge conducts a court proceeding at the judge’s office in which all other participants appear electronically, then the judge must:

(1) provide reasonable notice to the public of how to observe the court proceeding; and

(2) provide the public the opportunity to observe the court proceeding, unless the judge has determined that the proceeding must be closed to protect an overriding interest, considered all less-restrictive alternatives to closure, and made findings in a written order adequate to support closure.

End

Notes and Comments

Comment to 2023 change: New Rule 500.10 clarifies procedures for appearances at court proceedings. Paragraph (a) governs the method of appearance for court “participants,” which is defined in Rule 500.2. Under paragraph (b), a judge in any justice court proceeding may appear electronically, but the judge must preside over it from the judge’s office at times prescribed by the commissioner’s court. TEX. GOV’T CODE § 27.051(b). Nothing in paragraph (b) permits the judge to conduct a proceeding away from a location required by law. Paragraph (c) addresses factors that a judge should consider in determining the method of appearance. Paragraph (d) clarifies requirements for notices. Paragraph (e) recognizes the public’s right to reasonable notice of and access to a fully electronic proceeding unless there is an overriding interest. A judge should rarely close a court proceeding from public observation, and in such an exceptional case, the judge must use the least restrictive measure to protect the overriding interest.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 500.9, added in 2023, governs electronic appearances. A judge may allow or require a participant to appear by videoconference, teleconference, or other electronic means, and may appear electronically too — though the judge must preside from the judge's office or courtroom. In deciding, the judge weighs factors like case type, the number of parties and witnesses, the evidence, access to technology, travel and language or disability needs, any past abuse, and the parties' agreement or objection.

The judge must give reasonable written notice with instructions for joining. When a proceeding is fully electronic from the judge's office, the judge must give the public reasonable notice and a chance to observe unless closure is justified to protect an overriding interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you appear by video in Texas justice court?

Yes. Rule 500.9 lets the judge allow or require electronic appearance by videoconference or teleconference, weighing factors like technology access and the parties' agreement.

Are fully electronic justice-court hearings open to the public?

Yes. Rule 500.9 requires public notice and a chance to observe a fully electronic proceeding unless closure is justified.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.9), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: appearances at court proceedingselectronic appearance justice courtvideoconference hearingremote justice courtTRCP 500.9