---
title: "John B. McMaster | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-b-mcmaster"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# John B. McMaster

Texas County Court at Law No. 4 · Statutory County Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas County Court at Law No. 4
- State: Texas
- Role: Statutory County Court 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

- John B. McMaster is the Presiding Judge of Williamson County Court at Law No. 4 in Texas, appointed in 2005 and re‐elected in 2022, with his current term ending December 31, 2026
- Appointed by the Williamson County Commissioners in September 2005, took the oath on January 3, 2006, and became the Presiding Judge for the county’s courts at law

### Education

- South Texas College of Law — J.D. (1982)
- Baylor University — B.A. (1979)

### Additional information

- His current term runs until the end of 2026.
- County Court at Law No. 4 in Williamson County, Texas, a court established in 2005 to handle civil, criminal, probate, and family cases.
- McMaster has served on the Georgetown Independent School District Board (2000–2005) and has been active in local organizations such as the Kiwanis Club of Georgetown, the Williamson County Coalition Against Underage Drinking, and the Masonic Lodge.
- Texas Bar admission — 1983
- He is a lifelong Georgetown resident, graduating from Georgetown High School in 1975.
- Before joining the bench, McMaster practiced law in Georgetown, Texas, specializing in family law, though his earlier practice also included criminal, civil, and probate matters.
- He is married for 35 years and has four daughters and six grandchildren.
- He is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Georgetown.



## 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.