--- title: "John R. Roach, Jr. | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-r-roach-jr" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # John R. Roach, Jr. Texas 296th District Court · District Judge, Collin County 296th District Court (general jurisdiction) ## Profile - Court: Texas 296th District Court - State: Texas - Role: District Judge, Collin County 296th District Court (general jurisdiction) - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Presiding Judge, Texas 296th Judicial District Court, McKinney, TX, 2019-2022 - Presiding Judge, Texas 296th Judicial District Court, McKinney, TX, 2015-2018 - Presiding Judge, Texas 296th Judicial District Court, McKinney, TX, 2011-2014 - Presiding Judge, Texas 296th Judicial District Court, McKinney, TX, 2007-2010 - Judge Roach began his legal career as managing partner at Roach LLP and also worked at Cowles & Thompson, P.C. before being elected to the bench in 2006, taking office on January 1, 2007. - District Attorney, Collin County District Attorney's Office, Criminal Division, McKinney, TX, ?-present - Managing Partner, Roach LLP, ?-present - North Texas Veterans Court: Focused on rehabilitation for veterans involved in the criminal justice system - Beyond the bench, Judge Roach has held the role of a United States Marine, Plano City Councilman, and adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University and the University of North Texas College of Law ### Education - St Mary's University — J.D. (1997) - Political Science & Government — The University of Texas at Austin — 1994 ### Additional information - His current term ends on December 31, 2026, and he has announced plans to retire at the end of the year. - Servicemember, U.S. Marine Corps, 1988-1996 - Recognized for having the lowest reversal rate among Collin County judges. - adj-prof, Southern Methodist University, ?-present - Practitioner, Cowles & Thompson, P.C., ?-present - Judge Roach is a Republican. - VALOR Program: Designed to support veterans and reduce recidivism. - Felony Video Plea Program: Uses videoconferencing to connect jail facilities with the courthouse, enhancing safety and saving costs. - He has presided over more than 20,000 cases, including felonies, family law, civil litigation, and child protective services matters. - He has frequently run unopposed in both primary and general elections, reflecting strong local support. - Judge John R. Roach Jr. is widely regarded as a dedicated, conservative, and innovative judge who has significantly contributed to both the legal system and his community. - Mental Health Managed Counsel Program: Establishes protocols for handling cases involving mentally ill defendants, supported by a four-year matching grant from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. - He is also the co-author of "Divorce in Peace" and actively volunteers in his community. ## 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 ### photography broadcasting and recording Scope: courtwide Photography, broadcasting, live streaming, and audio or video recording are prohibited in the Collin County courthouse unless a written court order specifically authorizes them. Evidence excerpt: No one may take photographs, broadcast, live stream, or make recordings (audio or video) in the courthouse, unless specifically authorized by written court order [Local Rules of Practice for the District Courts of Collin County](https://www.collincountytx.gov/docs/default-source/district-courts/documents/lrp.pdf?sfvrsn=bf028790_4) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### hearing setting conference Scope: courtwide Before requesting a hearing setting, parties generally must confer in good faith. A unilateral request requires reasonable efforts that include at least two attempts to contact the other side. Evidence excerpt: parties shall make a good-faith effort to confer and obtain agreement on a hearing date before requesting that the Court set a hearing [Local Rules of Practice for the District Courts of Collin County](https://www.collincountytx.gov/docs/default-source/district-courts/documents/lrp.pdf?sfvrsn=bf028790_4) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### 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://www.collincountytx.gov/courts/district-courts/) - [Official roster](https://www.collincountytx.gov/courts/district-courts/) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16005/john-r-roach-jr/) - [Collin County District Courts roster official judicial roster](https://www.collincountytx.gov/courts/district-courts/) - [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) - [Local Rules of Practice for the District Courts of Collin County](https://www.collincountytx.gov/docs/default-source/district-courts/documents/lrp.pdf?sfvrsn=bf028790_4) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16005/john-r-roach-jr/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-r-roach-jr", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-r-roach-jr", "name": "John R. 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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.