--- title: "Teresa J. Waldrop | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/teresa-j-waldrop" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Teresa J. Waldrop Texas 312th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: Texas 312th District Court - State: Texas - Role: District Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-25 ## 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 ### 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://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 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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/teresa-j-waldrop", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/teresa-j-waldrop", "name": "Teresa J. 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Waldrop", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/teresa-j-waldrop" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - The Presiding Judge of the 312th Family District Court in Harris County, Texas, serving since January 1, 2023, and running for re‐election in the 2026 general election. ### Education - B.A. in Political Science, University of Texas at Austin (1987) J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law (1991) Interned at the Texas Supreme Court during law school ### Additional information - Democratic Party candidate and is seeking re‐election in the November 3, 2026 general election. - Her court has achieved the highest overall clearance rate for family law cases in the district in 2024 and ranked second in 2025. - Legal Career: Practiced in San Antonio and Houston, initially in civil litigation, then focusing on complex divorce cases Board‐certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2009) previously owned the Law Offices of Teresa J. Waldrop, P.C. - Waldrop emphasizes fairness, integrity, efficiency, and respect in the courtroom. - Judge Waldrop presides over the 312th Family District Court in the Harris County Civil Courthouse, Houston, TX. - Professional Memberships: Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Burta Rhoads Raborn Inn of Court, Houston Bar Foundation, Texas Bar Foundation, American Bar Foundation, Houston Association of Women Attorneys. - She has focused on reducing delays, improving case resolution, and ensuring timely access to justice for families. - Responsible for handling a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, custody, paternity, and other related cases. ## 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.