---
title: "Richard (Ricky) Hortman | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-ricky-hortman"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Richard (Ricky) Hortman

Texas Precinct 2 Place 1 · Justice of the Peace

## Profile

- Court: Texas Precinct 2 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

- Running for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 in the November 3, 2026 general election
- Richard “Ricky” Hortman is a Republican Party candidate for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Trinity County, Texas, in the 2026 general election, and a long‐time local public servant with extensive law enforcement, fire service, and community leadership experience
- 3 years as an Investigator for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Inspector General’s Office
- 9 years as an Investigator in the 258th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
- Listed as Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 in Trinity County, Texas
- Office sought: Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Trinity County, TX

### Education


### Additional information

- Also on the ballot in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary against Randall Wheeler.
- Hortman is a native of Trinity, Texas, graduating from Trinity High School in 1986.
- 16 years as Elected Trinity County Constable, Precinct 2
- 35 years of service with the Trinity Fire Department
- Trinity ISD Board Trustee
- Owner/operator of Hortman Country Store
- As of the latest verified data, there is no current active assignment on record for him.
- He describes himself as having “a servant’s heart” and a deep commitment to Trinity and Trinity County.
- His campaign emphasizes his long‐term community service, honesty, and integrity.
- His judicial role involves handling local cases under the jurisdiction of the county justice system, with appeals going to the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee, Florida (per the source’s jurisdiction note).
- Notable service: Law enforcement, fire service, education board, and local business ownership



## 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.
