--- title: "Margaret Ellen Barnes | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/margaret-ellen-barnes-15487" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Margaret Ellen Barnes Texas County Courts at Law, Denton County Court at Law · Judge ## Profile - Court: Texas County Courts at Law, Denton County Court at Law - 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, Texas County Courts at Law, Denton County Court at Law, TX, 2002-present - Presiding Judge, Texas 367th Judicial District Court, TX, 2019-2022 - Margaret E. Barnes was a judge of the 367th District Court in Denton County, Texas, serving from her initial appointment in 2010 until her resignation on December 31, 2022 - Judge, Texas 367th Judicial District Court, TX, 2015-2018 - Presiding Judge, Texas 367th Judicial District Court, TX, 2011-2014 - Presiding Judge, Texas 367th Judicial District Court, TX, 2010-2010 - Later roles: Associate Judge, Denton County Probate Court (1999–2002) - Prior judicial roles: Judge, Denton County Court at Law No. 2 (appointed 2002) Associate Judge, Denton County Probate Court (1999–2002) - Judge Margaret Ellen Barnes had a long and varied judicial career in Texas, beginning with local court service, moving to the Denton County Court at Law, and culminating in her tenure as a 367th District Court judge ### Education - Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law — J.D. (1985) - Eastern Michigan University — B.A. (1980) ### Additional information - Practitioner, Private Legal Practice, TX, 2002-present - Born in Detroit, Michigan; has lived in Denton County since 1983. - Resignation: Stepped down at the end of her term in 2022. - Elections: Re-elected in 2014 and 2018; in 2018 she won the general election unopposed with 100% of the vote. - Appointment: Named to the 367th District Court in 2010 by then–Governor Rick Perry to fill a vacancy created by the elevation of Hon. Lee Gabriel to the Texas Second Court of Appeals. - Master, Denton County Probate Court, TX, 1999-2002 - Practitioner, Private Practice, Lewisville, TX, 1986-1999 - Early career: Assistant City Attorney for the City of Lewisville (1986) and private legal practice. - Admission to the Texas Bar: 1986 - Judge Advocate of the Year — Young Lawyers Section, Denton County Bar Association - Board Certification: Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization - Registered Republican; hobbies include cattle raising and dog ownership (two Labradors). - She is recognized for her work in family law and her community involvement. ## 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://www.courtlistener.com/person/15487/margaret-ellen-barnes/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15487/margaret-ellen-barnes/) - [Texas County Courts at Law, Denton County Court at Law current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15487/margaret-ellen-barnes/) - [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/15487/margaret-ellen-barnes/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/margaret-ellen-barnes-15487", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/margaret-ellen-barnes-15487", "name": "Margaret Ellen Barnes | KnowJudges", "description": "Margaret Ellen Barnes, Texas County Courts at Law, Denton County Court at Law. 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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/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.