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title: "Tonya Jones | KnowJudges"
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# Tonya Jones

Texas County Crim. Court at Law No. 15 · Statutory County Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas County Crim. Court at Law No. 15
- State: Texas
- Role: Statutory County Court 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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The elected Judge of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 15 in Houston, Texas, serving since 2019 and currently in her third term, with her term ending in 2026
- Office: Judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 15
- Jones emphasizes “engaging, educating, and empowering” the community from the courtroom outward, and believes public service requires showing up, listening, leading with integrity, and helping people understand the justice system
- She also interned with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission and the Travis County Juvenile Public Defender’s Office

### Education

- A native of Houston’s South Park neighborhood, Jones graduated from Jesse H. Jones Senior High School, Baylor University (B.A. in Political Science), and Southern University Law Center (J.D.).

### Additional information

- Jones built a criminal defense, family law, and personal injury practice in Harris and Fort Bend counties before joining the judiciary.
- At Southern, she was active in the National Black Law Student Association Mock Trial Team, served as 3L Class Representative, and worked in the criminal law clinic, sparking her commitment to public service.
- At Baylor, she held the role of a student ambassador advocating for Pell Grants.