--- title: "Karen Angelini | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-angelini-8299" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Karen Angelini Court of Appeals of Texas · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals of Texas - State: Texas - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Texas, 1997-present - Justice Karen A. Angelini was a judge on the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals from January 1997 until the end of her term in 2018, after which she did not seek re‐election. - As a justice, Angelini heard and decided appeals in Texas criminal and civil cases - held the role of a briefing attorney with the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals for one year ### Education - B.A. (with honors), University of Texas at Austin, 1972 J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law, 1979 ### Additional information - Now listed as Judge, Retired with the Comptroller of Public Accounts, Judiciary Section, part‐time, with an annual salary of $170,375 as of 2026. - She did not run for re‐election in 2018. - In January 1997, she was appointed to the Fourth Court of Appeals and re‐elected in 2012 for a term ending December 31, 2018. - Admission to the Bar: 1980, Texas; 1980, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas - Born: 1951, Austin, Texas - Date of birth: 1951-03-03 - One notable case was Israel Mata v. - State of Texas, where she upheld a life sentence for the drive‐by shooting killing 13‐year‐old Beatrice Diaz, affirming the trial court’s decision and denying a mistrial motion. - lists her with AV Preeminent® peer ratings, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence in legal knowledge, communication, and ethics. ## 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 ### oral argument purpose Scope: courtwide Use oral argument to emphasize and clarify the briefs, not merely read prepared text; assume the panel has read the briefs, be ready for questions, and stay within the record. Evidence excerpt: Oral argument should emphasize and clarify the written arguments in the briefs. Counsel should not merely read from prepared text. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument time Scope: courtwide The court sets argument time. Finish within the allotment unless the court permits continuation; the appellant must be allowed to conclude. Evidence excerpt: Counsel must complete argument in the time allotted and may continue after the expiration of the allotted time only with permission of the court. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### number of arguing counsel Scope: courtwide Generally one lawyer should argue for each side. Without leave, no more than two may argue per side, and only one may present rebuttal. Evidence excerpt: Generally, only one counsel should argue for each side. Except on leave of court, no more than two counsel on each side may argue. Only one counsel may argue in rebuttal. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument request Scope: courtwide Request oral argument on the front cover of the brief. If argument is set, all parties that filed briefs may participate even if they did not request it. Evidence excerpt: A party desiring oral argument must note that request on the front cover of the party’s brief. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument notice Scope: courtwide The clerk's notice states whether argument is allowed, the date, allotted time, location or electronic-joining instructions, exhibit instructions, and panel members. Evidence excerpt: The clerk must send to the parties—at least 21 days before the date the case is set for argument or submission without argument—a notice telling the parties: [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8299/karen-angelini/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8299/karen-angelini/) - [Court of Appeals of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8299/karen-angelini/) - [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8299/karen-angelini/) - [Honorable Karen Angelini – Histories of St. Mary’s School of Law](https://stmupublichistory.org/law?page_id=493) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-angelini-8299", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-angelini-8299", "name": "Karen Angelini | KnowJudges", "description": "Karen Angelini, Court of Appeals of Texas. 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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/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.