---
title: "Thomas Roberts | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-roberts"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Thomas Roberts

Iowa Colony Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Iowa Colony 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

- Chief Justice: held the role of Chief Justice from 1966 to 1976, succeeding Francis Condon and preceding Joseph A. Bevilacqua
- Thomas Hagen Roberts (1902–1976) was an American attorney and jurist who held the role of a federal judge and later as the 36th Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
- Rhode Island Judiciary: Served on the Rhode Island Superior Court in 1951, then was appointed to the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 1956, succeeding Justice Jeremiah E. O’Connell
- Federal Judiciary: Appointed by President Harry S. Truman as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (1950–1952)
- World War II Service: held the role of Director of Rhode Island Civil Defense and Chairman of the Rhode Island Bureau of Police and Fire
- His tenure as Chief Justice was notable for its length and his role in shaping the court’s work during a significant period in Rhode Island’s legal history

### Education

- B.A. from Fordham University and his J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

### Additional information

- Thomas Hagen Roberts was born January 4, 1902 in Providence, Rhode Island, and died January 7, 1976 in Providence at age 74.
- United Nations War Crimes Commission: Chief Counsel from 1949 to 1950.
- Roberts’ career spanned federal and state judicial service, public service in wartime, and leadership in the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
- Roberts was the brother of Dennis J. Roberts, who later held the role of Rhode Island Governor.



## 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.
