--- title: "Steve McKeithen | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steve-mckeithen-8362" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Steve McKeithen Court of Appeals of Texas · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals of Texas - State: Texas - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Texas, 2002-present - Justice Steve Alexander McKeithen is a retired Chief Justice of the Texas Ninth District Court of Appeals, serving from 2002 until the end of his term in 2020 - Chief Justice: Elected in 2002 to lead the Ninth District Court of Appeals in Beaumont, Texas - He held that position until 2002, when he was elected chief justice of the appellate court - Prosecutor: held the role of Civil Division Chief of the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office (1992–2002) - He became a prosecutor with the Montgomery County Attorney's Office in 1989 - As Chief Justice, McKeithen oversaw appellate cases in criminal, civil, and other matters ### Education - B.A. in Political Science, University of Houston (1976) J.D., South Texas College of Law (1984) ### Additional information - Retirement: Did not seek re-election in 2020. - State (2008) — Reversed abuse of official capacity and one tampering conviction; affirmed forgery and another tampering count. - State (2005) — Addressed sufficiency of evidence in aggravated robbery charges. - Admissions: Texas (1984), U.S. Southern District of Texas (1989), 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (1991), U.S. Supreme Court (1994) - Born: March 17, 1952, in Harris County, Texas - Began his legal career as a lawyer in private practice. - McKeithen’s legal career spans private practice, prosecutorial work, and appellate judicial leadership. - Current Status: Retired from the Texas judiciary; no longer serving on the Ninth District Court of Appeals. - Harrelson v. - Louis v. - His work has been recognized in legal directories such as, which lists his areas of practice as appellate law, criminal law, civil rights, and family law. - His decisions have been cited in multiple Texas appellate rulings. ## 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 ### oral argument purpose Scope: courtwide Use oral argument to emphasize and clarify the briefs, not merely read prepared text; assume the panel has read the briefs, be ready for questions, and stay within the record. Evidence excerpt: Oral argument should emphasize and clarify the written arguments in the briefs. Counsel should not merely read from prepared text. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument time Scope: courtwide The court sets argument time. Finish within the allotment unless the court permits continuation; the appellant must be allowed to conclude. Evidence excerpt: Counsel must complete argument in the time allotted and may continue after the expiration of the allotted time only with permission of the court. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### number of arguing counsel Scope: courtwide Generally one lawyer should argue for each side. Without leave, no more than two may argue per side, and only one may present rebuttal. Evidence excerpt: Generally, only one counsel should argue for each side. Except on leave of court, no more than two counsel on each side may argue. Only one counsel may argue in rebuttal. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument request Scope: courtwide Request oral argument on the front cover of the brief. If argument is set, all parties that filed briefs may participate even if they did not request it. Evidence excerpt: A party desiring oral argument must note that request on the front cover of the party’s brief. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument notice Scope: courtwide The clerk's notice states whether argument is allowed, the date, allotted time, location or electronic-joining instructions, exhibit instructions, and panel members. Evidence excerpt: The clerk must send to the parties—at least 21 days before the date the case is set for argument or submission without argument—a notice telling the parties: [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8362/steve-mckeithen/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8362/steve-mckeithen/) - [Court of Appeals of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8362/steve-mckeithen/) - [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8362/steve-mckeithen/) - [Steve McKeithen - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Steve_McKeithen) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steve-mckeithen-8362", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steve-mckeithen-8362", "name": "Steve McKeithen | KnowJudges", "description": "Steve McKeithen, Court of Appeals of Texas. 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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/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.