--- title: "Lauren Melhart | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lauren-melhart-district-360th-district-court-texas" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-27" --- # Lauren Melhart 360th District Court · District Associate Judge ## Profile - Court: 360th District Court - State: Texas - Role: District Associate Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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/ExcelExportPublic.aspx?type=P&export=E&CommitteeID=0&Court=&SortBy=tblCounty.Sort_ID%2C%20Last_Name&Active_Flg=true&Last_Name=&First_Name=&Court_Type_CD=0&Court_Sub_Type_CD=0&County_ID=0&City_CD=0&Address_Type_CD=0&Annual_Report_CD=0&PersonnelType1=&PersonnelType2=&DistrictPrimaryLocOnly=0&AdminJudicialRegion=0&COADistrictId=0) - [Official roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/ExcelExportPublic.aspx?type=P&export=E&CommitteeID=0&Court=&SortBy=tblCounty.Sort_ID%2C%20Last_Name&Active_Flg=true&Last_Name=&First_Name=&Court_Type_CD=0&Court_Sub_Type_CD=0&County_ID=0&City_CD=0&Address_Type_CD=0&Annual_Report_CD=0&PersonnelType1=&PersonnelType2=&DistrictPrimaryLocOnly=0&AdminJudicialRegion=0&COADistrictId=0) - [Texas Office of Court Administration, active Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/ExcelExportPublic.aspx?type=P&export=E&CommitteeID=0&Court=&SortBy=tblCounty.Sort_ID%2C%20Last_Name&Active_Flg=true&Last_Name=&First_Name=&Court_Type_CD=0&Court_Sub_Type_CD=0&County_ID=0&City_CD=0&Address_Type_CD=0&Annual_Report_CD=0&PersonnelType1=&PersonnelType2=&DistrictPrimaryLocOnly=0&AdminJudicialRegion=0&COADistrictId=0) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lauren-melhart-district-360th-district-court-texas", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lauren-melhart-district-360th-district-court-texas", "name": "Lauren Melhart | KnowJudges", "description": "Lauren Melhart, 360th District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-27", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lauren-melhart-district-360th-district-court-texas#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lauren-melhart-district-360th-district-court-texas#judge", "name": "Lauren Melhart", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lauren-melhart-district-360th-district-court-texas", "jobTitle": "District Associate Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "360th District Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://card.txcourts.gov/ExcelExportPublic.aspx?type=P&export=E&CommitteeID=0&Court=&SortBy=tblCounty.Sort_ID%2C%20Last_Name&Active_Flg=true&Last_Name=&First_Name=&Court_Type_CD=0&Court_Sub_Type_CD=0&County_ID=0&City_CD=0&Address_Type_CD=0&Annual_Report_CD=0&PersonnelType1=&PersonnelType2=&DistrictPrimaryLocOnly=0&AdminJudicialRegion=0&COADistrictId=0" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Texas", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/texas" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lauren Melhart", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lauren-melhart-district-360th-district-court-texas" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Lauren Melhart practices law in Fort Worth, Texas, and serves as an Associate Judge for the 360th District Court ### Education - She also obtained a B.S. in Political Science, magna cum laude, and a B.B.A. in Accounting & Finance, magna cum laude, both from Texas Christian University in 2002. - Juris Doctor (JD) from Baylor University School of Law, graduating first in her class. ### Additional information - She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a designation she earned in 2014, reflecting her expertise and commitment to the field. - Judge Melhart has been praised for her professionalism, intelligence, and preparation in highly contested cases, particularly in child custody and support matters. - Judge Lauren Melhart combines judicial service, extensive litigation experience, board certification in family law, and a strong commitment to legal education. - She also held the role of a felony prosecutor in East Texas, achieving a 100 percent success rate in jury trials and affirmance on all appeals. - Her record as a prosecutor and attorney demonstrates a consistent commitment to excellence, with notable achievements in jury trials and appellate success. - Beyond her judicial duties, she actively participates in mentorship programs, including the AAML Institute for Family Law Associates, where she shares insights on divorce, trusts, estate planning, and agreements affecting divorce. - Her legal career includes several years as a Child Protective Services (CPS) prosecutor, where she earned recognition for excellence in serving children from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Trinity Valley. - Her academic achievements laid a strong foundation for her career in law and family law specialization. - Her involvement in legal education highlights her dedication to fostering professional growth within the family law community. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-119ce7e69a3752f1da3cfce0) — 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](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-a5f587f769df9f3231ef4f9a) — 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](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.