--- title: "Michael G. Dickens | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-g-dickens" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-28" --- # Michael G. Dickens Texas 477th District Court · District Judge, Denton County 477th District Court (general jurisdiction, mixed docket) ## Profile - Court: Texas 477th District Court - State: Texas - Role: District Judge, Denton County 477th District Court (general jurisdiction, mixed docket) - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile. ## 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 ### audio video and exhibit technology Scope: judge specific The 477th District Court provides an audio/video system for publishing exhibits, but counsel must bring a laptop. Audio, video, and photo trial exhibits must be placed on a flash drive delivered to the court reporter at or before the beginning of trial. Evidence excerpt: The court has an audio / video system for publishing such exhibits in open court, but you must bring your own laptop for connecting to the system. [477th District Court Exhibit Rules](https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10432/Exhibit-Rules-PDF) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### electronic devices and recording Scope: courtwide Denton County permits participating attorneys and their staff to use electronic devices during hearings, but otherwise prohibits electronic-device use and prohibits recording court proceedings. Evidence excerpt: No electronic devices shall be used in Court, except by attorneys or the attorney's staff during hearings in which that attorney is participating. Further, no audible sounds from communication devices or other electronic devices shall be permitted and no recording of court proceedings shall be permitted. [Uniform Rules of Court for the District and Statutory County Courts of Denton County, Texas](https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/957/Uniform-Rules-of-Court-for-the-District-and-Statutory-County-Courts-of-Denton-County-Texas-PDF) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### civil trial materials and exhibits Scope: courtwide For a Denton County civil trial, parties must deliver witness and exhibit lists, motions in limine, and proposed jury instructions or questions when reporting for trial. Exhibits must be marked, exchanged, and examined at least seven days before trial. Evidence excerpt: At least seven (7) days prior to commencement of trial, all exhibits must be marked, exchanged, and examined by counsel so that the trial will not be delayed by such examination. [Uniform Rules of Court for the District and Statutory County Courts of Denton County, Texas](https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/957/Uniform-Rules-of-Court-for-the-District-and-Statutory-County-Courts-of-Denton-County-Texas-PDF) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### ai generated filings Scope: courtwide Denton County District Courts require certification that material created or contributed to by generative AI was independently verified by a person using traditional, non-AI legal sources before submission. Evidence excerpt: Any information created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence-including, but not limited to, language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis-was, before submission to this Court, independently verified as accurate using traditional (non-AI) legal sources by a human being. [Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence in Denton County District Courts](https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11419/Standing-Order-Regarding-Use-of-Artificial-Intelligence-Denton-County-District-Courts-PDF) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### 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.dentoncounty.gov/1863/477th-District-Court) - [Official roster](https://www.dentoncounty.gov/1863/477th-District-Court) - [Denton County 477th District Court official judicial roster](https://www.dentoncounty.gov/1863/477th-District-Court) - [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) - [Uniform Rules of Court for the District and Statutory County Courts of Denton County, Texas](https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/957/Uniform-Rules-of-Court-for-the-District-and-Statutory-County-Courts-of-Denton-County-Texas-PDF) - [Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence in Denton County District Courts](https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11419/Standing-Order-Regarding-Use-of-Artificial-Intelligence-Denton-County-District-Courts-PDF) - [477th District Court Exhibit Rules](https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10432/Exhibit-Rules-PDF) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-g-dickens", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-g-dickens", "name": "Michael G. 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Dickens", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-g-dickens" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge of the 477th Judicial District Court in Denton County, Texas, appointed by Governor Greg Abbott on January 6, 2025, to serve until the end of 2026 - Assistant District Attorney for Denton County (appointed 2001) - Private practice as associate at Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam (2000–2001) ### Education - in, Texas Tech University School of Law — J.D. (2000) - in, Texas State University — B.A. (1997) ### Additional information - Admitted to the Texas Bar in 2000 - Selection method: The court is currently filled by partisan election, though Dickens was appointed rather than elected - Texas District & County Attorneys Association - Community service: Member of Denton County Sexual Assault Response Team; worked with children at the Children’s Advocacy Center; mentor for Communities in Schools of North Texas ## 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.