--- title: "Margaret O'Brien | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/margaret-o-brien" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Margaret O'Brien Texas Precinct 2 Place 1 · Justice of the Peace ## Profile - Court: Texas Precinct 2 Place 1 - State: Texas - Role: Justice of the Peace - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## 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 ### justice court remote appearances Scope: statewide In justice-court civil proceedings, the judge may allow or require electronic participation after considering case, evidence, access, and party factors; written notice must include joining and evidence-submission instructions. Evidence excerpt: A judge may allow or require a participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means. [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### limited criminal remote appearance Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.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) - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) - [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/margaret-o-brien", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/margaret-o-brien", "name": "Margaret O'Brien | KnowJudges", "description": "Margaret O'Brien, Texas Precinct 2 Place 1. 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Austin State University and an MS in Environmental Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center. ### Additional information - Her current term ends on December 31, 2026. - Judge O'Brien was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and has lived in Texas since 1976. - Democrat and is running for re-election in the general election on November 3, 2026. - She advanced from the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026, defeating Christina Sowells. - Effective November 1, 2025, her court implemented mandatory e-filing for all eviction and debt claim cases via. - Elected in 2018, Judge O'Brien presides over civil cases up to $20,000, including small claims, repair and remedy disputes, evictions, debt claims, traffic tickets, fraudulent checks, and fine-only misdemeanors. - In 2004, she became a small business owner, is a licensed real estate broker, a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), and holds a Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution/Mediation from Southern Methodist University. - This allows filings to be submitted online anytime, improving efficiency and accessibility for litigants. - Widely regarded for her dedication to community safety, fairness in the courtroom, and efficient court management, making her a prominent figure in Dallas County’s judicial system. - She also handles minor criminal cases (Class C misdemeanors and below), issues mental health warrants, occupational driver’s licenses, and conducts marriage ceremonies. - Her court serves Balch Springs, East Dallas, Garland, Mesquite, Rowlett, Sachse, Sunnyvale, and Wylie. - She worked nearly a decade as an Industrial Hygienist for companies including Amoco, Motorola, and Texas Instruments. - Under her leadership, the court cleared a significant backlog and became one of the busiest in Dallas County. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0b7995f0d74b12852c186361) — 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 Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7a6578736340dbebb75e89c7) — 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://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0fa5a7f51969f3609de00053) — 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://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.