John C. Hafley at a glance
- Current role
- Statutory County Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John C. Hafley
Statutory County Court Judge · Montgomery County Court at Law No. 1
Biography
Professional career
- The elected Judge of Montgomery County Court at Law No. 1 in Texas, serving since 2022, with a background in law enforcement, prosecution, private legal practice, and over 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Brigadier General
- Elected in November 2022 and also briefly held the role of an associate judge for the 221st District Court (2022–2023)
- Prosecution: Assistant District Attorney in Walker County, Texas (2010–2013)
- Private Practice: Operated the Law Office of John C. Hafley, PLLC in Conroe from 2012
Education
- M.A. in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College (2015).
- South Texas College of Law — J.D. (2007)
- B.S. in Criminal Justice and Political Science (Southeast Missouri State University, 1993)
Additional information
- Retired in 2023 at the rank of Brigadier General.
- Over 32 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, deployed to six countries, including Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
- handling criminal defense, probate, and guardianship matters.
- Lifelong conservative, pro-life, and pro-Constitutionalist, emphasizing fairness, efficiency, and respect for the rule of law.
- Judge Hafley presides over Montgomery County Court at Law No. 1, located in Conroe, Texas, and is responsible for handling a wide range of criminal cases in the county.
- Judge Hafley is the son of a Methodist minister, married to his wife Dina for nearly 30 years, and the father of two adult children.
- Law Enforcement: Served 8 years as a uniformed police officer in Missouri, Illinois, and Texas, earning the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Award, Commendation Medal, and Medal of Valor.
- Military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and seven Meritorious Service Medals.
- He is active in his church, community sports leagues, and volunteer organizations.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Montgomery County Court at Law No. 1
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Montgomery County Court at Law No. 1
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 10, 2026.
Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 25, 2026
View Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings ↗Montgomery County Court at Law No. 1 official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Montgomery County Court at Law No. 1 official directory ↗