---
title: "Randy A. Smith | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/randy-a-smith"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Randy A. Smith

Clute Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Clute 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

- The current Municipal Court Judge for the City of Clute, Texas, serving in his seventh term and holding office until May 3, 2027

### Education


### Additional information

- Currently a candidate for re-election in the May 3, 2025 Texas General Election for the Clute City Municipal Judge position.
- Judge Smith presides over the Clute Municipal Court, the judicial branch of the City of Clute’s government.
- Judge Smith has lived in Clute since age three and is active in local organizations, including the Clute Girls Softball Association.
- It also conducts adult and juvenile hearings, processes deferred disposition cases, issues warrants, and applies sanctions such as community service or alcohol/tobacco awareness classes.
- The court handles fine-only criminal cases arising within Clute limits, including traffic violations, Texas Penal Code offenses, and city ordinance violations.
- He has implemented community-focused initiatives, such as using prisoners and probationers for street cleanup, and extended office hours to 10‐day workdays to better serve residents.
- He also previously served on the Executive Board of the Great Texas Mosquito Festival SWAT Team.



## 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.