--- title: "Kelli D. Johnson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelli-d-johnson" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Kelli D. Johnson Texas 178th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: Texas 178th District Court - State: Texas - Role: District Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-25 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - pros, Harris County District Attorney's Office, TX, 1999-present - Presiding Judge, Texas 178th Judicial District Court, Houston, TX, 2021-2024 - Presiding Judge, Texas 178th Judicial District Court, Houston, TX, 2017-2020 - Judge Kelli Johnson was elected to the 178th Criminal District Court in 2016 after serving 17 years as an Assistant District Attorney. ### Education - South Texas College — J.D. (1999) - Texas Christian University — B.A. (1994) ### Additional information - Following medical treatment, she made a full recovery and resumed her judicial duties in 2025 after clearance from the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct. - In February 2024, Johnson suffered a serious head injury after falling from a motorized scooter, which led to post-concussion syndrome. - She was re-elected in 2020 and has presided over several high-profile trials, including cases involving A.J. Armstrong, David Temple, and Brian Coulter. - This condition caused physical and behavioral changes that were initially misinterpreted, resulting in two separate DWI incidents. - Toxicology reports later confirmed she had no drugs or alcohol in her system, and the charges were dismissed. - Recognized for her leadership roles, including serving as Administrative Judge over the Criminal Board and volunteering as a STAR (Success Through Addiction Recovery) judge for young women. - She also gained experience as a White House intern and press liaison. - Throughout her career, Johnson has been active in legal education and community engagement, including speaking at diversity summits, organizing the Texas High School Mock Trial Competition, and participating in national and state judicial organizations. - Johnson’s educational background includes graduating Cum Laude from Texas Christian University in Business Communications, studying Spanish at the University of Salamanca, and earning honors from South Texas College of Law, where she ranked 8th on the Texas Bar Exam. - She is married to Hilary Bartlett and has two sons. ## 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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15754/kelli-d-johnson/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15754/kelli-d-johnson/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelli-d-johnson", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelli-d-johnson", "name": "Kelli D. 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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.