---
title: "Gonzalo Rios, Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gonzalo-rios-jr"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Gonzalo Rios, Jr.

Texas 119th District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas 119th District Court
- State: Texas
- Role: District 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

- Gonzalo P. Rios, Jr. is the elected District Judge for the 119th District Court of Texas, covering Concho, Runnels, and Tom Green counties, since November 5, 2024
- He was one of the first local attorneys authorized to handle capital cases and has held the role of an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Angelo State University

### Education

- Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law — J.D. (1992)

### Additional information

- Rios was elected unopposed in the November 5, 2024 general election to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Ben Woodward.
- Pro bono work and mentorship of fellow attorneys
- Appeals from this court go to the Third Court of Appeals.
- Before joining the bench, Rios had over 30 years in legal practice
- representing clients in family, criminal, appellate, and CPS cases.
- Rios serves as District Judge for the 119th District Court, which has jurisdiction over Concho, Runnels, and Tom Green counties in Texas.
- The court handles a wide range of cases, including family law, criminal matters, child protective services, and appellate cases.
- Recognition in commercial law with an American Jurisprudence Award
- He is a Republican and a San Angelo native.
- He has also received the Criselda Paz Award from Legal Aid of Northwest Texas.



## 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.
