Michael C. Roach at a glance
- Current role
- Constitutional County Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael C. Roach
Constitutional County Judge · Stephens County Court
Biography
Professional career
- Former Stephens County, Texas County Judge who resigned in March 2026, effective April 30, 2026, to accept a new position in the legal field
- On March 9, 2026, Roach announced his resignation from the Stephens County Judge position, effective April 30, 2026
- In summary: Michael C. Roach was a long-serving Stephens County Judge with a strong background in Texas local government, now transitioning to a legal career after resigning from the judicial role in 2026.
- 12 years in elected county government (8 years as county judge, 4 years as justice of the peace)
- His tenure included eight years as county judge and four years as a justice of the peace, totaling twelve years in elected county government
- Roach’s work as county judge involved direct collaboration with elected officials, governmental entities, and communities, giving him extensive experience in local governance issues
Education
- Syracuse University College of Law — J.D. (2026)
- in Government, Regent University — B.A. (2022)
Additional information
- The county commissioners appointed Will Thompson to finish the term.
- Roach cited a new opportunity in law as the reason for leaving before the end of his term, explaining that at age 49 he wanted to remain open to unforeseen opportunities.
- Michael C. Roach held the role of Stephens County Judge in Texas, a role that oversees county government operations, budgeting, property taxation, economic development, infrastructure, elections, and other local governance matters.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Stephens County 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
Stephens County 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 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 10, 2026.
Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 25, 2026
View Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings ↗Stephens County Court official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Stephens County Court official directory ↗