---
title: "Michael Kilpatrick Peters | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-kilpatrick-peters"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Michael Kilpatrick Peters

Columbus Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Columbus Municipal Court
- State: Texas
- Role: Municipal Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## 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

### 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 Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- As of September 1, 2026, Peters will be appointed by Governor Greg Abbott as Presiding Judge of the 492nd Judicial District Court for Colorado and Lavaca Counties, Texas
- In 2025, he was voted Favorite Attorney by readers of the Colorado County Citizen
- Under the Canons of Judicial Ethics, a Presiding District Judge cannot engage in private legal practice, so he will be leaving Peters & Peters Law Firm, PLLC at that time

### Education

- Michael K. Peters earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, graduating summa cum laude in 2015 and serving on the St. Mary’s Law Journal.

### Additional information

- He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in November 2015 (Bar No. 24098250).
- For over a decade, he has practiced primarily in family law, with additional experience in criminal defense, probate, and creditor‐debtor matters.
- Before this appointment, Peters held the role of Associate Municipal Judge of Columbus, Texas and is on the Board of Directors of the Columbus Historic Preservation Trust, Inc..
- Peters & Peters Law Firm, PLLC — Columbus, TX
- Columbus Historic Preservation Trust, Inc. — Board Member
- Public service in municipal judiciary and community preservation initiatives



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [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.