---
title: "Rod J. Paasch | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rod-j-paasch-15934"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Rod J. Paasch

Texas 317th Judicial District Court · Associate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas 317th Judicial District Court
- State: Texas
- Role: Associate Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Associate Judge, Texas 317th Judicial District Court, Beaumont, TX, 2008-present
- Positions as governor, president, clerk, practitioner, public defender, attorney general, and professor
- Full-time associate judge of the Texas 317th Judicial District Court in Beaumont, Texas, and a State Bar of Texas–licensed attorney with over 40 years of legal practice

### Education

- South Texas College — J.D. (1986)
- Undergraduate: East Texas State University — B.A.

### Additional information

- Tenure: Since September 2008
- Practitioner, Private Practice, 1993-2008
- Practitioner, 1986-2008
- Past Roles: Private practice (1986–2008), various legal positions including attorney, public defender, and professor
- Admission to the Bar: 1986, State Bar of Texas (Bar No. 15392760)
- Practice Areas: Family law, divorce, general practice; also listed with criminal law, DWI/DUI, and estate planning
- Appointment: Appointed by Judge Lawrence E. Thorne III
- Court Focus: Family law, divorce, and related cases

## 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://www.courtlistener.com/person/15934/rod-j-paasch/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15934/rod-j-paasch/)
- [Texas 317th Judicial District Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15934/rod-j-paasch/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15934/rod-j-paasch/)

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## 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.