---
title: "Phyllis A. Mathison | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phyllis-a-mathison"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Phyllis A. Mathison

Thorndale Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Thorndale 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

- City of Bastrop — held the role of Court Administrator and Judge from 1989 to 2015, a tenure of over 25 years
- Education — Associate Degree in Banking/Finance from Austin Community College
- The Thrall Municipal Court website lists her as the court’s judge, with office hours on the second Tuesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and provides contact details for the court office

### Education


### Additional information

- As of 2022, Phyllis Mathison has been Municipal Judge for the Cities of Thrall and Thorndale.
- City of Manor — Judge and Associate Judge from 2015 to 2019.
- Other roles — Court consultant, real estate accounting work, and wedding officiant after retirement from active judicial service.
- A petition was circulated to reinstate her after her removal from the Bastrop Municipal Court bench, citing her nine years of “continuous excellent service”.
- Mathison’s service in Bastrop drew significant public recognition for her work in managing fines and fees, which some residents credited with helping families avoid losing jobs, homes, or vehicles.



## 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.