---
title: "Michael P. Towers | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-p-towers"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Michael P. Towers

Texas Precinct 1 · Justice of the Peace

## Profile

- Court: Texas Precinct 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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Long‐serving judicial officer in Bandera County with broad responsibilities in justice court, municipal court, and coroner duties
- The Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 in Bandera County, Texas, and also serves as a municipal court judge for the City of Bandera, presiding over a wide range of civil and criminal cases
- Licenses & Certifications: Texas Justice of the Peace; advanced firearms instructor; civil process instructor

### Education

- University of Texas at Austin (1969–1977).

### Additional information

- Since January 1, 2015, has adjudicated thousands of cases and performed numerous magistrate duties.
- While recognized for his extensive case handling and legal expertise, he has also been subject to a formal judicial conduct admonition in 2026 for procedural and ethical issues in an eviction matter.
- In March 2026, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished Judge Towers for improper handling of an eviction case involving a modular home.
- City of Bandera Municipal Court Judge — presides over city-level cases and magistrates city prisoners.
- Coroner — conducts death investigations and issues death certificates for Bandera County.
- Magistrate — conducts bond hearings, approves search and arrest warrants, and handles cases from misdemeanors to first-degree felonies.
- Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Bandera County, TX — handles civil and criminal cases in Justice Court, including evictions, traffic offenses, civil lawsuits, occupational license hearings, and more.
- Engaged in improper ex parte communications and denied the opposing counsel’s right to be heard.
- Outcome: Ordered to complete two additional hours of eviction law training with a mentor, in addition to annual judicial education.
- Master Peace Officer; multiple TCLEOSE certifications.



## 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.