--- title: "Carl K. Thibodeaux | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-k-thibodeaux" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-27" --- # Carl K. Thibodeaux West Orange Municipal Court · Municipal Judge ## Profile - Court: West Orange Municipal Court - State: Texas - Role: Municipal Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### limited criminal remote appearance Scope: statewide For the specific fine-and-cost hearings governed by Articles 45A.258 and 45A.259, a justice or municipal judge may allow a defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference when an in-person appearance would impose undue hardship. Evidence excerpt: If the justice or judge determines that requiring a defendant to appear before the justice or judge in person for a hearing under Article 45A.258 or 45A.259 would impose an undue hardship on the defendant, the justice or judge may allow the defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference. [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx) - [Official roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx) - [Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx) - [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-k-thibodeaux", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-k-thibodeaux", "name": "Carl K. Thibodeaux | KnowJudges", "description": "Carl K. Thibodeaux, West Orange Municipal Court. 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Thibodeaux", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-k-thibodeaux" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - In July 2019, after resigning from the bench, he was sworn back into office as Orange County Judge by Commissioners’ Court, with Commissioner Johnny Trahan noting his “experience and respect” made him the clear choice. - Thibodeaux held the role of Orange County Judge from 1995 until his retirement from the bench on December 31, 2014, making him the county’s longest-sitting judge at the time - As judge, Thibodeaux focused on county governance, budget issues, and community recovery ### Education - A native of Mamou, Louisiana, Thibodeaux obtained a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Houston in 1968 and owned a pharmacy in West Orange for 21 years. ### Additional information - He was re-elected in 2010 and had previously been mayor of West Orange, Texas, from 1986 to 1994 - He was recognized for disaster recovery leadership after Hurricane Rita (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008), earning awards such as Person of the Year (The Record Newspapers, 2005–2006) and the Frances K. Monk Award for Regional Leadership (2007) - He acted as interim judge until the commissioners confirmed his return - He was a strong advocate for tax abatements to attract investment, describing them as “the best thing we have right now” for local economic growth. - He also emphasized improving county morale and fostering a “big family” atmosphere in county government - Thibodeaux’s tenure combined judicial service, civic leadership, and disaster response. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7a6578736340dbebb75e89c7) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0fa5a7f51969f3609de00053) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.