--- title: "Stephen T. Brinson Sr | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-t-brinson-sr" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-27" --- # Stephen T. Brinson Sr Bridge City Municipal Court · Municipal Judge ## Profile - Court: Bridge City 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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-t-brinson-sr", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-t-brinson-sr", "name": "Stephen T. Brinson Sr | KnowJudges", "description": "Stephen T. Brinson Sr, Bridge City Municipal Court. 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Brinson Sr", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-t-brinson-sr" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Stephen T. Brinson Sr. was sworn in on April 7, 2026, as the new Bridge City, Texas municipal court judge, succeeding the late Judge Bill Dixon - In summary: Stephen T. Brinson Sr. is now the active municipal court judge for Bridge City, Texas, appointed in April 2026 to replace Judge Bill Dixon, bringing a seasoned legal background and a personal story of resilience and community support to the role - Brinson is a veteran law officer who had retired early after a severe COVID-19 illness in 2021, which required a double lung transplant. ### Education ### Additional information - The City Council of Bridge City appointed Brinson to fill the vacancy left by Judge Dixon’s death in February 2026. - Associate Judge Ida Schossow administered the oath of office during the April 7, 2026, city council meeting. - The swearing-in ceremony was part of the official council agenda. - Brinson’s appointment marks a return to public service after his health crisis, and he is serving in a position that had been vacant for months. - His tenure follows a long-standing tradition of judicial service in Bridge City, with Judge Dixon having served for many years before his passing. - He was working as chief of the Bridge City Independent School District police department at the time of his illness. - His wife, Kara, a librarian at Bridge City Elementary and the Bridge City Public Library, supported him through his recovery. ## 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.