---
title: "Michael Edward Mery | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-edward-mery"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Michael Edward Mery

Texas 144th District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas 144th District Court
- State: Texas
- Role: District Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## 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/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 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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- In summary: Michael Edward Mery is a seasoned Texas judge with a long record in criminal justice, mental health court reform, and public service, currently facing a political challenge in the 2026 election for the 144th District Court
- Democratic Party judge of the 144th Criminal District Court in Bexar County, Texas, serving since January 1, 2021, with a term ending December 31, 2026
- Section Chief of Child Abuse Litigation at the Texas Attorney General’s Office (1992–1994)
- Assistant District Attorney for Bexar County (1989–1992)
- Mery emphasizes fairness, dignity, and reform in the criminal justice system, and has been described as “a judge you can trust”

### Education

- J.D., University of Texas at Austin School of Law (1982)
- in Government, Cornell University — B.A. (1978)

### Additional information

- The general election for this seat is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
- Began his judicial career in 1999 as the first judge of Bexar County Court at Law No. 12, where he also helped establish and preside over the county’s first Mental Health Court.
- Private practice as a lawyer for over a decade
- handling criminal defense, civil litigation, probate, and juvenile matters
- Native of San Antonio and has over 26 years of judicial and legal experience.
- Currently incumbent of the 144th District Court, presiding over serious criminal cases.
- handling family law and civil cases.
- He subsequently served on the 37th Judicial District Court for eight years
- His campaign materials note his commitment to ensuring all parties are treated with respect and justice.
- 43.3% of the vote).
- Fluent in Spanish; raised in San Antonio by Lebanese immigrant parents
- He has also served on multiple boards, including the Catholic Lawyers’ Guild, the Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio’s Young Adult Ministry, and the Nix Healthcare Systems Institutional Review Board.



## 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.