---
title: "Polly E. Gilligan | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/polly-e-gilligan"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Polly E. Gilligan

Houston Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Houston 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

- Judge Polly Gilligan continues to serve the Houston community by adjudicating municipal cases and contributing to the administration of justice at the city level
- Judge Gilligan’s court is part of the Houston Municipal Courts Department, with courtrooms generally located at 1400 Lubbock Street, Houston, Texas

### Education


### Additional information

- The Texas Judicial Directory provides updated information on judges across all court levels, including municipal courts, and is current as of April 2026.
- As of 2021, her reported salary was $114,309, which is significantly higher than both the average pay for city employees and the national average for government employees.
- Information about Judge Gilligan, including salary and employment details, is publicly available through municipal payroll records and judicial directories.
- The department emphasizes professionalism, integrity, and customer service in handling municipal legal matters.
- Municipal court judge for the city of Houston, Texas, where she presides over cases within the municipal court system, which typically handles violations of city ordinances, traffic offenses, and other minor criminal matters.
- Her duties include presiding over hearings, ruling on motions, issuing judgments, and overseeing administrative functions of the court.



## 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.