---
title: "Dennise Garcia | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/dennise-garcia-tx-5th-court-appeals"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Dennise Garcia

Texas 5th Court of Appeals · Court of Appeals Justice

## Profile

- Court: Texas 5th Court of Appeals
- State: Texas
- Role: Court of Appeals Justice
- 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

### appellate electronic filing

Scope: statewide

In Texas appellate courts, attorneys must electronically file civil and criminal documents, subject to a good-cause motion; self-represented parties may e-file but are not required to do so.

Evidence excerpt: Attorneys in civil cases must electronically file documents. Attorneys in criminal cases must electronically file documents except for good cause shown in a motion filed in the appellate court.

[Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.txcourts.gov/5thcoa/about-the-court/justices/justice-dennise-garcia/)
- [Official roster](https://www.txcourts.gov/5thcoa/about-the-court/justices/justice-dennise-garcia/)
- [Texas Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.txcourts.gov/5thcoa/about-the-court/justices/justice-dennise-garcia/)
- [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Democratic Party judge on Place 8 of the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, elected in 2020 and serving until 2026, with over 16 years of prior judicial experience in Dallas County family courts.
- Before joining the appellate court, Garcia was Judge of the 303rd District Court in Dallas for 16 years (2004–2021), presiding over thousands of trials.

### Education

- Undergraduate degree: Southern Methodist University (BS in Sociology/Political Science)
- ): SMU Dedman School of Law — J.D.

### Additional information

- Justice Garcia has held the role of a member of the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals since January 1, 2021, after being elected on November 3, 2020.
- Not running for re-election in 2026.
- Her term ends December 31, 2026.
- Also Presiding Judge of all Dallas County Family District Courts for two terms.
- Double board certified in Family Law and Child Welfare Law.
- Best Judge (Dallas Observer)
- Presidential Citation from the State Bar of Texas
- previously practiced law for 10 years, earning recognition as a Texas Super Lawyer, inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, and an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
- Outstanding Jurist (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers)
- Merrill Hartman Judicial Pro Bono Service Award (twice)
- Distinguished Alumni Award from SMU Dedman School of Law



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-e966a5411b2587c600cf3508) — 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/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.