Rule 510.17.Appearances at Court Proceedings

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 510.17 lets an eviction judge allow or require non-party participants — and the judge — to appear electronically, sets factors for the decision, requires notice, and protects public access to a fully electronic proceeding.

Full Text of Rule 510.17

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

(a) Participant Method of Appearance. A judge may allow or require a non-party participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means. A judge may allow—but must not require—a party to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means if the parties agree.

(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

Plain-English Summary

Rule 510.17 governs electronic appearances in eviction cases. A judge may allow or require a non-party participant to appear by videoconference or teleconference, and may appear electronically while presiding from the judge's office. The judge weighs factors like case type, the number of parties and witnesses, the evidence, technology access, travel and language or disability needs, past abuse, and the parties' positions.

The judge must give written notice with instructions, and when a proceeding is fully electronic from the judge's office, must give the public reasonable notice and a chance to observe unless closure is justified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you appear by video in a Texas eviction case?

Rule 510.17 lets the judge allow or require non-party participants to appear electronically, weighing factors like technology access and the parties' agreement.

Can a judge force a party to appear by video in an eviction case?

No. Rule 510.17 lets the judge allow a party to appear electronically only if the parties agree; the judge may allow or require electronic appearance for non-party participants like witnesses.

Can the public watch a fully electronic eviction hearing?

Yes. Rule 510.17 requires the judge to give the public reasonable notice and a chance to observe a proceeding held entirely by electronic means, unless the judge finds closure justified after considering less restrictive alternatives.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 510.17), 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 evictionelectronic appearance evictionvideoconference evictionTRCP 510.17