Keith Wheeler at a glance
- Current role
- Statutory County Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Keith Wheeler
Statutory County Court Judge · Rockwall County Court at Law No. 1
Biography
Professional career
- The Presiding Judge of Rockwall County Court at Law #1 in Texas, serving the remainder of The Honorable Brian Williams’ term until the end of 2026
- Sworn in on January 5, 2026 by Judge Brett Hall to fill the unexpired term of Judge Brian Williams, who was elevated to the 503rd District Court
- In summary: Judge Keith Wheeler is a seasoned Texas attorney with more than four decades of legal experience, now serving as Presiding Judge of Rockwall County Court at Law #1 until the end of 2026, with a focus on fair, responsible judicial service
- His tenure will conclude at the end of 2026, after the county’s judicial election for a new judge.
Education
- Juris Doctor, both from Baylor University in 1985
Additional information
- after his judicial term ends, Wheeler will transition into a mediation role within the legal community, marking the end of his active practice as a lawyer.
- Wheeler has stated his commitment to be a “responsible steward of the court” and to uphold judicial responsibilities with integrity and fairness.
- As Presiding Judge of Rockwall County Court at Law #1, Wheeler handles a range of civil and criminal cases in the county’s primary court at law.
- The Rockwall County Courthouse directory lists his office at 972‐204‐6450.
- Over 40 years of legal practice in Texas, including work in criminal defense, family law, probate, and business law.
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
- Professional Memberships: Active in the American Bar Association, Rockwall County Bar Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and multiple county and criminal defense law groups.
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
Rockwall 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
Rockwall 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 ↗Rockwall County Court at Law No. 1 official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Rockwall County Court at Law No. 1 official directory ↗