---
title: "Sara Martinez | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sara-martinez"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Sara Martinez

Texas Precinct 5 Place 1 · Justice of the Peace

## Profile

- Court: Texas Precinct 5 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

- The incumbent Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5‐1 in Dallas County, Texas, serving since 2014 and currently running for re‐election in 2026

### Education

- University of Southern California Gould School of Law — J.D. (2004)
- Bachelor of Arts in Chicano Studies from Loyola Marymount University

### Additional information

- She advanced from the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary and is on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 general election.
- Her term runs until the end of 2026.
- As of October 2024, the court also accepts electronic filings.
- Advocated for a joint order halting evictions during the 2020 pandemic.
- First elected in 2014, re‐elected in 2018.
- Provided in‐court workrooms for legal aid and rent relief agencies.
- Continued high school student internship programs.
- Served on the Dallas County Bail Bond Board and the Judicial Nominating Commission.
- Engaged in community outreach through food drives, school supply drives, voter registration, and civic engagement.
- Democratic Party candidate seeking re‐election for Precinct 5‐1.
- Judge Martinez presides over Justice of the Peace Court 5‐1 in Dallas County
- handling cases such as evictions, small claims, debt claims, and traffic matters.
- The court is located at the East Dallas Government Center (3443 St. Francis Avenue, Dallas, TX 75228) and offers services in English and Spanish.
- Early Career: held a position as a Dallas County Public Defender and ran a solo law practice in criminal and family law.
- Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas; youngest of six children; daughter of migrant farmworkers.
- Residence: Oak Cliff, Dallas.



## 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.