---
title: "Denise Hernandez | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/denise-hernandez"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Denise Hernandez

Texas County Court at Law No. 6 · Statutory County Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas County Court at Law No. 6
- State: Texas
- Role: Statutory County Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## 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

### civil remote appearances

Scope: statewide

In civil district and county court proceedings, the court may permit or require electronic participation after appropriate notice; compelled electronic participation for oral-testimony proceedings requires good cause or party agreement, and a jury trial requires party agreement.

Evidence excerpt: Upon appropriate notice by a party or the court, a court may allow or require a participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means, except as otherwise provided in (2).

[Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### civil recording and broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Civil district and county trial courts may permit courtroom recording or broadcasting only under Supreme Court guidelines, with the required party and witness consent, or for ceremonial proceedings.

Evidence excerpt: A trial court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing of proceedings in the courtroom only in the following circumstances:

[Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.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 Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf)
- [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Denise Hernández has held the role of Presiding Judge of County Court at Law #6 in Travis County, Texas, since January 1, 2023, with a term ending December 31, 2026
- Racial Justice Champion Notley (2023)
- Judge Denise Hernández is the presiding judge of Travis County Court at Law No. 6 and leads the Transformative Youth Justice program, and is a national advocate for equity and trauma-informed justice
- Academic roles: Adjunct professor at Huston‐Tillotson University and St. Edward’s University

### Education


### Additional information

- Running for re‐election in the November 3, 2026 general election for County Court at Law #6.
- Austin 40 Under 40 (2024)
- Elected in 2022.
- Hernández’s approach is community‐centered, trauma‐informed, and rooted in human dignity.
- Awards: Bettie Naylor Award from the Human Rights Campaign for LGBTQ+ rights advocacy
- She also oversees Transformative Youth Justice (TYJ), a court‐led diversion program for 17‐ to 20‐year‐olds, partnering with over 15 community organizations to provide trauma‐informed care, mental health support, education, and career development.
- Her campaign emphasizes co‐creating a justice system that “centers human dignity and community care”.
- She has led initiatives to expand resources for system‐impacted youth and to integrate holistic support beyond the courtroom.
- She draws on her own experience as a working‐class, migrant farm worker family member navigating the court system, which often dehumanized them.
- Community leadership: Founder of Chingona Fest Texas; active in civil rights, cultural, and legal organizations.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-119ce7e69a3752f1da3cfce0) — 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://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-a5f587f769df9f3231ef4f9a) — 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://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.