--- title: "Trish Coleman Byars | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/trish-coleman-byars" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Trish Coleman Byars Texas 97th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: Texas 97th 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/trish-coleman-byars", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/trish-coleman-byars", "name": "Trish Coleman Byars | KnowJudges", "description": "Trish Coleman Byars, Texas 97th District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/trish-coleman-byars#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/trish-coleman-byars#judge", "name": "Trish Coleman Byars", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/trish-coleman-byars", "jobTitle": "District Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Texas 97th District Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Texas", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/texas" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Trish Coleman Byars", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/trish-coleman-byars" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in July 2023 to serve the remainder of the term of retired 97th District Judge Jack McGaughey, with her term set to expire on December 31, 2024, or until her successor is duly elected and qualified - Practiced law as a solo attorney at the Law Office of Trish Coleman Byars in Windthorst and Wichita Falls, Texas ### Education - Bachelor of Science in Spanish from Midwestern State University, followed by a Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University ### Additional information - Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - She is a native of Clay County, Texas, and grew up in a family with deep roots in Archer County, attending Midway schools and participating in local sports and agricultural activities. - She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, its Family Law Section, the Wichita County Bar Association, and the Tri-County Bar Association. - She has also held the role of president of the 46th Judicial District Bar Association and was a member of the Texas City Attorneys Association and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. - Beyond her legal career, Byars has been actively involved in her community. - She has volunteered and coached for the YMCA, served on the North Texas State Hospital Ethics Committee and Death Review Committee, and held board positions with the Boys & Girls Club of America, Red River Valley Museum, and the Wilbarger Humane Society. - Her commitment to local service reflects her dedication to the citizens of the district she serves. ## 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.