---
title: "Robert Julius Lerma | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-julius-lerma"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Robert Julius Lerma

Port Isabel Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Port Isabel 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

- Current Role: Attorney at Robert J. Lerma Attorney at Law PLLC
- Over 40 years in criminal defense practice
- Texas‐licensed criminal defense attorney based in Brownsville, TX, with over 42 years of legal practice and a background that includes service as a municipal judge

### Education

- J.D., South Texas College of Law (1983) B.S. in Agriculture Economics, Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M‐Kingsville)

### Additional information

- Bar Admission: State Bar of Texas, 1984 (Bar No. 12221450).
- Municipal Judge for the City of Port Isabel, Texas.
- Past Role: Retired Presiding Municipal Judge of the City of Brownsville, Texas.
- Practice Areas: Primarily criminal defense; also offers family law services through his law firm.
- First Hispanic president of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
- Frequent lecturer and course director for legal education seminars in the U.S. and Caribbean.
- Lerma held the role of Presiding Municipal Judge in Brownsville before becoming Associate Municipal Judge in Port Isabel.
- His judicial experience is part of his professional history, but he is currently recognized primarily as an attorney.
- Board member and past president of the Sombrero Festival and member of the South Texas Independent School District Board of Trustees.



## 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.