--- title: "Molly Francis | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/molly-francis-8324" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Molly Francis Court of Appeals of Texas · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals of Texas - State: Texas - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Texas, 2001-present - 1996: Appointed by Governor George W. Bush as Judge of the 283rd Judicial District Court (felony court) - 1990: Elected Judge of Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9 (misdemeanor court) - 1982–1983: Worked in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, then entered private practice - 1981–1982: Briefing attorney for Judge James Warren, First Court of Appeals, Houston - Molly Francis is a retired Texas senior judge with 28 years of judicial service, most recently on the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, and currently serves on the Texas Board of Criminal Justice ### Education - B.A. in History from Baylor University. - Baylor School of Law — J.D. ### Additional information - Member of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2019 for terms expiring February 1, 2025. - 2018: Ran for re-election to the Fifth District Court of Appeals but lost to Amanda Reichek. - Retired: Left office December 31, 2018. - 2001: Appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas. - Francis has also been involved in Texas Department of Criminal Justice initiatives, including promoting virtual hearings to reduce inmate transfers. ## 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 ### oral argument purpose Scope: courtwide Use oral argument to emphasize and clarify the briefs, not merely read prepared text; assume the panel has read the briefs, be ready for questions, and stay within the record. Evidence excerpt: Oral argument should emphasize and clarify the written arguments in the briefs. Counsel should not merely read from prepared text. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument time Scope: courtwide The court sets argument time. Finish within the allotment unless the court permits continuation; the appellant must be allowed to conclude. Evidence excerpt: Counsel must complete argument in the time allotted and may continue after the expiration of the allotted time only with permission of the court. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### number of arguing counsel Scope: courtwide Generally one lawyer should argue for each side. Without leave, no more than two may argue per side, and only one may present rebuttal. Evidence excerpt: Generally, only one counsel should argue for each side. Except on leave of court, no more than two counsel on each side may argue. Only one counsel may argue in rebuttal. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument request Scope: courtwide Request oral argument on the front cover of the brief. If argument is set, all parties that filed briefs may participate even if they did not request it. Evidence excerpt: A party desiring oral argument must note that request on the front cover of the party’s brief. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument notice Scope: courtwide The clerk's notice states whether argument is allowed, the date, allotted time, location or electronic-joining instructions, exhibit instructions, and panel members. Evidence excerpt: The clerk must send to the parties—at least 21 days before the date the case is set for argument or submission without argument—a notice telling the parties: [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8324/molly-francis/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8324/molly-francis/) - [Court of Appeals of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8324/molly-francis/) - [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8324/molly-francis/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/molly-francis-8324", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/molly-francis-8324", "name": "Molly Francis | KnowJudges", "description": "Molly Francis, Court of Appeals of Texas. 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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/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.