---
title: "Genesis E. Draper | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/genesis-e-draper"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Genesis E. Draper

Texas County Crim. Court at Law No. 12 · Statutory County Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas County Crim. Court at Law No. 12
- 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

- On June 12, 2025, the Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously appointed Draper as Chief Public Defender for Harris County
- Appointed to the Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 12 in February 2019 after the death of Judge Cassandra Holleman.
- Office of Managed Assigned Counsel to standardize and improve court‐appointed defense for indigent defendants
- As Chief Public Defender, Draper will lead the office representing indigent clients in criminal, juvenile, mental health, and appellate cases, continuing her long‐standing advocacy for fair access to legal counsel
- In summary: Judge Genesis E. Draper’s career spans over a decade in public defense and six years as a criminal court judge, culminating in her historic leadership role as Harris County’s Chief Public Defender

### Education

- B.A. in English from Spelman College and a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.

### Additional information

- She became the first African American and first woman to hold the position since the office’s creation in 2010.
- Began the transition in July 2025, succeeding Alex Bunin.
- She later won the seat in 2020 to complete the term and was re‐elected in 2022 for a full four‐year term.
- Six years, including two six‐month terms as presiding judge for all 16 Harris County Criminal Courts at Law and three terms as co‐presiding judge.
- Before joining the bench, she was an assistant public defender at the state and federal levels in Houston, and an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center.