---
title: "Paula Herring Goodhart | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Paula Herring Goodhart

Texas County Criminal Court at Law No. 2 · Statutory County Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas County Criminal Court at Law No. 2
- State: Texas
- Role: Statutory County Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## 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

### 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://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 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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- 2022–present: Judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 2
- Judicial Service: 2010–2018: Judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 1 (first female judge elected to that court)
- Private Practice: Criminal defense attorney (2007–2010)
- Early Career: Assistant District Attorney in Harris County (1993–2007), trying over 100 jury trials and serving in multiple bureau roles.
- Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 2 is located at the Criminal Justice Center, 1201 Franklin Street, Houston, TX

### Education

- University of Houston — J.D.

### Additional information

- It processes most misdemeanor cases in the county, with procedures including arraignment, pretrial settings, and possible diversion or deferred adjudication programs.
- Undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin
- Exemplary Judicial Faculty Award from the Texas Center for the Judiciary.
- Also recognized as an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow and J. Frank Dobie Hall of Honor recipient.