Naomi Howard at a glance
- Current role
- District Associate Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Naomi Howard
District Associate Judge · Texas District Court, Travis County
Biography
Professional career
- Associate Judge in the Travis County Criminal Courts, sworn in as a magistrate in November 2025, with a background in constitutional defense law and appellate practice
- Briefing attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (2015–2016)
- Internships at the U.S. Federal Public Defender’s Office and as a research assistant at St. Mary’s University School of Law
Education
- St. Mary’s University School of Law — J.D. (2014)
Additional information
- Associate Judge in the Travis County Criminal Courts, presiding over Magistration of criminal matters — the first appearance of a defendant in a criminal case
- Part of the Counsel at First Appearance (CAFA) initiative, which ensures legal representation for arrestees at this stage
- Before becoming a judge, Judge Howard was a constitutional defense attorney at Naomi Howard, P.C. in Austin
- She also has non‐legal experience, including teaching English in Japan and training as a sushi chef
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Texas District Court, Travis County
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Texas District Court, Travis County
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 27, 2026.
Texas Office of Court Administration, active Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Texas Office of Court Administration, active Judicial Directory official judicial roster ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings ↗