---
title: "Hector Bustos | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/hector-bustos"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Hector Bustos

Edinburg Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Edinburg Municipal Court
- State: Texas
- Role: Municipal Judge
- 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

### limited criminal remote appearance

Scope: statewide

For the specific fine-and-cost hearings governed by Articles 45A.258 and 45A.259, a justice or municipal judge may allow a defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference when an in-person appearance would impose undue hardship.

Evidence excerpt: If the justice or judge determines that requiring a defendant to appear before the justice or judge in person for a hearing under Article 45A.258 or 45A.259 would impose an undue hardship on the defendant, the justice or judge may allow the defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference.

[Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.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 Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Hector Fernando Murcia‐Bustos is the County Judge for Division H of the Clay County Circuit Court in Florida, appointed in November 2025 by Governor Ron DeSantis to fill a newly created judicial position
- Joined the Clay County State Attorney’s Office in 2013; recognized for diligence, professionalism, and high conviction rates
- Murcia‐Bustos serves as Division H Judge at the Clay County Courthouse in Green Cove Springs
- His prior role included serving as Division Chief of County and Juvenile Court and lead attorney for traffic homicide prosecutions

### Education

- Florida Coastal School of Law — J.D. (2012)
- Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Florida State University

### Additional information

- Awards: Named Prosecutor of the Year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s North Central Region in 2025.
- handling a mix of civil and other county court matters.
- Appointed from a shortlist of candidates after a competitive selection process, following a decade‐long career as a prosecutor in the 4th Judicial Circuit.
- In his own words, Bustos cites his parents’ instilled respect for the law and the Constitution as guiding principles.
- His criminology background informs his understanding of the criminal system, while his MBA and legal education support his current focus on civil cases.
- Murcia‐Bustos is active in community service through the Knights of Columbus, school events, youth sports coaching, and charitable drives such as Blessings in a Backpack and the J.P. Hall Children’s Charities Christmas Party.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7a6578736340dbebb75e89c7) — 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://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0fa5a7f51969f3609de00053) — 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://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.