---
title: "Grace Ruth Patricia Pandithurai | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/grace-ruth-patricia-pandithurai"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Grace Ruth Patricia Pandithurai

Texas 443rd District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas 443rd 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

- The District Judge of the 443rd District Court in Ellis County, Texas, elected in November 2024 and sworn in January 1, 2025
- Wichita County 2014–2024: Ellis County & District Attorney’s Office — trial attorney
- Chief Felony Prosecutor (2021) Notable work includes prosecuting child abuse cases and Ellis County’s first human trafficking case, resulting in a life sentence
- Legal career: 2011–2014: Assistant District Attorney
- Ellis County’s first Asian-American district judge and the second female judge elected to the court
- Notable: Continues the tradition of being Ellis County’s only female judge

### Education

- Regent University School of Law — J.D. (2010)
- Southern Methodist University — B.A., Liberal Arts
- Dallas Baptist University — M.A., Liberal Arts (Political Science and Christian Ministry)

### Additional information

- Local roots: Native of Ellis County, she has lived there since 1989.
- Election: Unopposed in 2024; term 2025–2027
- Honors: 20 Under 40 (Wichita County, 2013), Regent University Alumna of the Year (2013), 40 Under 40 (Ellis County, 2019)
- Valedictorian, Townview Law Magnet Center, 1998.
- Intern, Thirteenth Court of Appeals of Texas
- Standards: Publishes standing orders, including felony bond conditions (e.g., no new offenses, no controlled substances, ignition interlock for alcohol-related felonies, no contact with victims)
- Community roles: Board member, The Salvation Army of Ellis County
- Inspire School Programs
- Participated in a human-rights program in Strasbourg, France.



## 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.
