---
title: "Thomas Mitchell Shamburger | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-mitchell-shamburger"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Thomas Mitchell Shamburger

Whitehouse Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Whitehouse 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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Retirement: Retired from the Justice of the Peace bench in 2022 but continues to officiate weddings and perform music
- Past role: Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Smith County, Texas, serving for 36 years
- Associate Degree from Tyler Junior College

### Education

- Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Tyler.

### Additional information

- U.S. Army paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division
- Licensed Nurse in the Armed Forces Medical Program.
- Metro role: Metro Director for the Texas Justice Court Judges Association (JCJ).
- Presided over a variety of cases in Smith County, including landlord–tenant disputes, property matters, and default judgments.
- Graduate of Winona ISD
- Community service: Winona Independent School Board Trustee, President of the Athletic Booster Club, Vice President of the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce, music leader at Winona First United Methodist Church, and Past Master of Starr Lodge 118.
- Author of several books, including Inquest: Living with the Dead and the memoir Weddings, Music (for the Not So Rich and Famous), and Funerals: A Trilogy.
- Plays guitar and harmonica, and enjoys entertaining at community events.
- Married to his high school sweetheart, Fae Oliver; three children (Noah, Lena, Amy), two grandchildren, and four grand-dogs.



## 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.