---
title: "Ralph D. Swearingin, Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ralph-d-swearingin-jr"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Ralph D. Swearingin, Jr.

Texas Precinct 1 Place 1 · Justice of the Peace

## Profile

- Court: Texas Precinct 1 Place 1
- State: Texas
- Role: Justice of the Peace
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## 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

### justice court remote appearances

Scope: statewide

In justice-court civil proceedings, the judge may allow or require electronic participation after considering case, evidence, access, and party factors; written notice must include joining and evidence-submission instructions.

Evidence excerpt: A judge may allow or require a participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means.

[Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### 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 Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf)
- [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

- The Judge of Tarrant County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Court in Fort Worth, Texas, serving since January 2007
- Rulemaking: Served 2011–2012 on the Texas Supreme Court’s Task Force for Rules in Small Claims and Justice Court Proceedings, whose recommendations were adopted in 2013
- College of Justice Court Judges of Texas
- Judge Swearingin is Of Counsel to Eggleston & King, Weatherford, TX
- Master Police Officer Certification from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education

### Education

- B.S., University of Texas at Arlington (1980) J.D., Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (1994)
- Training: 1988 graduate of the FBI National Academy

### Additional information

- Licenses: Attorney licensed in Texas since 1994.
- Awards: Justice Court Judge of the Year (2015, Texas Justice Court Judges Association)
- 2006; recipient of the Fort Worth Police Department’s Medal of Valor.
- Election: November 7, 2006
- Service: Retired Dec.
- Before joining the judiciary, Judge Swearingin had over 30 years in law enforcement, including 19 years at the command level with the Fort Worth Police Department.
- Memberships: College of the State Bar of Texas
- Justice Frank G. Evans Award (ADR Section, State Bar of Texas).
- Notable Initiatives: Under his leadership, Precinct 1 became one of the first Justice Courts in Texas to implement a fully paperless, e‐filing system for all case types, with public self‐service kiosks and online filing options.
- He continues to preside over cases in Precinct 1, including recent debt and contract matters.
- In summary: Judge Ralph D. Swearingin, Jr. is a seasoned jurist blending decades of law enforcement leadership, legal expertise, and innovation in court processes, recognized for both his judicial service and his role in advancing modern, efficient justice systems in Texas.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0b7995f0d74b12852c186361) — 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://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.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-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.