--- title: "Randy A. McDonald | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/randy-a-mcdonald" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Randy A. McDonald Texas 344th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: Texas 344th District Court - State: Texas - Role: District 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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/randy-a-mcdonald", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/randy-a-mcdonald", "name": "Randy A. 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McDonald", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/randy-a-mcdonald" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Randy McDonald currently serves as the Judge of the Texas District Court - District 344, a position he has held since 2019, with his current term extending until December 31, 2028 - Before his current role, McDonald held the role of a judge for the Van Zandt County Court at Law from 2011 to 2018. - Additionally, he served as a Senior Judge for District 10 from 2019 to 2023 - McDonald also has a distinguished military career, serving as a JAG Officer in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 2016, providing legal counsel and support within the military justice system - Randy McDonald began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, Texas, appointed by Johnny Holmes - He advanced to the Major Narcotics Prosecutor in the Organized Crime Section, successfully prosecuting high-profile cases against prominent criminal defense attorneys - Following his public service, he entered private practice, serving as managing partner at Taylor, Eggleston, Goodwin and McDonald and later at Randy McDonald PC, where he continues to practice law. ### Education ### Additional information - Also a candidate for re-election in the 2024 Texas General Election. - He was re-elected in 2014 after winning the Republican primary with 52.79% of the vote and ran unopposed in the general election. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-119ce7e69a3752f1da3cfce0) — 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 Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-a5f587f769df9f3231ef4f9a) — 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.