--- title: "Hilary D. Unger | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/hilary-d-unger" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Hilary D. Unger Texas 248th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: Texas 248th 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. ## Biography ### Professional career - Texas 248th District Court, Harris County — Judge; since January 1, 2019; presiding judge, 2019–2022 - Kings County, New York — Assistant District Attorney - Law Office of Hilary Unger, Houston — Attorney - Unger & Hershkowitz, Houston — Partner ### Education - University of Florida — J.D. (1988) - University of Florida — Business Administration, 1984. ### Additional information - Current term ends December 31, 2026. - Born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida; has lived in Houston since 2007. - Seeking re-election in 2026 against Republican candidate David Overhuls; won the Democratic primary with 100% of the vote. - Handled 15 criminal jury trials in 2025, tied for fourth among Harris County felony judges, and 19 in 2024, the most among those judges. - Texas — Public Defender. - Her court handles serious felony cases. - Had more than 30 years of experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney before joining the bench. - Advocates re-entry programs, improved indigent defense and rehabilitation to reduce recidivism. - Has two children; a parent belonged to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. ## 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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16134/hilary-d-unger/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16134/hilary-d-unger/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/hilary-d-unger", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/hilary-d-unger", "name": "Hilary D. 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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.