Steven Thomas Kennedy at a glance
- Current role
- Justice of the Peace
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Steven Thomas Kennedy
Justice of the Peace · Uvalde County Justice Court, Precinct 1 Place 1
Biography
Professional career
- Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 in Uvalde County, Texas, serving his eighth four‐year term until December 31, 2026, when he will retire
- In summary: Steven Thomas Kennedy is a long‐time, highly regarded local judge in Uvalde County, Texas, serving until the end of 2026 before retiring to personal and family life.
- Justice of the Peace (JP) Precinct 1
Education
Additional information
- Election: Re‐elected in 2022 as a Republican incumbent
- handling a range of civil matters such as small claims, debt claims, evictions, occupational licenses, and other local legal issues.
- Appeals from his jurisdiction go to the Fourth Court of Appeals in Texas.
- His courtroom is located at Courthouse Plaza, 100 N. Getty, Uvalde, TX 78801.
- Attorney admitted to the Texas Bar; also recognized for work in criminal law, trusts and estates, and personal injury.
- Kennedy has been noted in professional directories such as for his legal work and peer respect, with AV Preeminent® ratings reflecting high professional standards.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Uvalde County Justice Court, Precinct 1 Place 1
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
Uvalde County Justice Court, Precinct 1 Place 1
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
Uvalde County Justice Court, Precinct 1 Place 1
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 10, 2026.
Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference ↗Uvalde County Justice Court, Precinct 1 Place 1 official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Uvalde County Justice Court, Precinct 1 Place 1 official directory ↗