---
title: "James R. Smith | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-r-smith"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# James R. Smith

Hilshire Village Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hilshire Village 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

- Primary judicial role: Judge in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice (2003–2026)
- James R. Smith has been listed as a judge in the Superior Court of Justice (SCJ) of Ontario from 2003 to 2026, with 22 recorded cases across trial, motion, costs, appeal, and sentencing matters

### Education


### Additional information

- Summary judgment and indemnity cases — e.g., in Arcamm v.
- Property management disputes — such as Arcamm Electrical Services Ltd. v.
- Avison Young Real Estate Management Services LP, where a property manager was granted summary judgment for indemnification.
- Appeals — including Cardinal Investments Inc. v.
- Ultra Depot (Ontario) Inc., where the Court of Appeal upheld a summary judgment enforcing a settlement agreement.
- Other jurisdiction: Appears as a defendant in a New Jersey criminal appeal, but not as a judge there.
- Avison Young Real Estate Management Services LP, the court awarded partial and full indemnity costs against a property owner for unpaid emergency electrical repair invoices.



## 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.