William A. Knight at a glance
- Current role
- District Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
William A. Knight
District Judge · Criminal District Court No. 2
Biography
Professional career
- William Knight was elected as Judge of Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 2, assuming office on January 1, 2025, with his term ending December 31, 2028
- Knight has been named Top Attorney in Criminal Law by Fort Worth Magazine for 2021 through 2024 and was included in Fort Worth Magazine's 40 under 40
- In 2019, he was recognized as Child Abuse Prosecutor of the Year by his law enforcement peers
- He held the role of a Staff Attorney at the Texas Department of Public Safety and later at the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
Education
- He earned a B.B.A. from Southern Methodist University and both a J.D. and M.B.A. from St. Mary’s University, graduating with honors and making the dean’s list.
Additional information
- He won the general election on November 5, 2024, defeating Marq Clayton, and had previously won the Republican primary against Glynis Adams McGinty.
- Knight has a long career in criminal law.
- Assistant Chief of the Intimate Partner Violence Unit (IPV) and prosecuted cases in the Special Victims Unit (SVU), including child abuse and elderly abuse cases.
- Knight’s judicial priorities focus on enforcing the law with fairness and sound judgment, managing court dockets efficiently, and maintaining public safety.
- Board certified in criminal law and emphasizes a conservative judicial philosophy, interpreting the law strictly as written and avoiding legislating from the bench.
- During law school, he held the role of president of The Federalist Society, promoting a conservative perspective in legal education.
- He has also lectured for police departments, Texas A&M School of Law, and the State Bar of Texas on criminal investigations.
- He emphasizes judicial temperament, well-reasoned decisions, and respect for litigants.
- His personal motivation stems from his upbringing in a law-enforcement family, inspired by his father, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Ronnie Knight.
- William Knight combines extensive prosecutorial experience, recognized expertise in criminal law, and a conservative judicial philosophy, making him a prominent figure in Tarrant County’s judiciary.
- William Knight was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended All Saints’ Episcopal School.
- His leadership experience extends beyond law, including involvement with Templeton Machine, a family business founded by his grandfather.
- Knight is a fourth-generation Texan and twelfth-generation American, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and enjoys golf, college football, and hunting.
- He also serves as a board of trustee member at All Saints’ Episcopal School.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Criminal District Court No. 2; Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 2
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Criminal District Court No. 2; Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 2
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Texas Office of Court Administration, active Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Texas Office of Court Administration, active Judicial Directory official judicial roster ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings ↗Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 2 official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 2 official directory ↗