Leonard E. Peters at a glance
- Current role
- Municipal Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Leonard E. Peters
Municipal Judge · Columbus Municipal Court
Biography
Professional career
- The first appointed judge of the newly created 492nd Judicial District Court, serving Colorado and Lavaca counties in Texas, with a term running through December 31, 2028
- Sworn in on September 2, 2026, at the Colorado County Courthouse in Columbus by District Judge William D. Old III
- Former Colorado County law enforcement officer; over 25 years in legal practice
- Community involvement: Attorney with Colorado County Habitat for Humanity; trustee for First Baptist Church of Columbus
- Peace officer license — Texas A&M Police Academy
- In summary: Leonard E. Peters is a seasoned Texas attorney and municipal judge now serving as the first district judge for the 492nd Judicial District Court, bringing decades of legal experience, law enforcement background, and community leadership to a newly created judicial role
Education
- University of Houston — J.D.
Additional information
- Appointed to the 492nd District Court effective 2026-09-01; sworn in on 2026-09-02; current service confirmed by post-appointment evidence.
- Columbus municipal judge since 2003.
- Peters’ term will end December 31, 2028, or until his successor is elected and qualified.
- Governor Greg Abbott appointed Peters on August 24, 2026, to lead the 492nd Judicial District Court, effective September 1, 2026.
- Current roles before appointment: Municipal Judge for the City of Columbus, Texas, and attorney with Peters & Peters Law Firm, PLLC.
- The position was created under Texas House Bill 16 to split the Second 25th Judicial District, reducing caseloads and improving trial scheduling.
- Stepping down from his municipal judge role in Columbus, with his son Michael Peters succeeding him as municipal judge.
- No longer taking new clients due to judicial ethics rules.
- Memberships: State Bar of Texas, Colorado County Bar Association; past president of Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Magna Cum Laude in his major and Summa Cum Laude in his minor
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
For the specific fine-and-cost hearings governed by Articles 45A.258 and 45A.259, a justice or municipal judge may allow a defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference when an in-person appearance would impose undue hardship.
If the justice or judge determines that requiring a defendant to appear before the justice or judge in person for a hearing under Article 45A.258 or 45A.259 would impose an undue hardship on the defendant, the justice or judge may allow the defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference.Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
Columbus Municipal Court
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 Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
Columbus Municipal Court
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
Texas 492nd District Court
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
Texas 492nd District Court
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 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 10, 2026.
Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster ↗Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference ↗Governor Abbott Appoints Peters To 492nd Judicial District In Colorado And Lavaca Counties
Appointment And Biography; Current Service Not Independently Confirmed source · HTML · Source checked October 6, 2026
View Governor Abbott Appoints Peters To 492nd Judicial District In Colorado And Lavaca Counties ↗Peters sworn in as district judge of the 492nd Judicial District Court
Post-Appointment Oath Evidence For Leonard Peters On 2026-09-02 source · HTML · Source checked October 6, 2026
View Peters sworn in as district judge of the 492nd Judicial District Court ↗Texas 492nd District Court official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Texas 492nd District Court official directory ↗Columbus Municipal Court official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Columbus Municipal Court official directory ↗