Kristin L. Bays at a glance
- Current role
- District Judge, Montgomery County 284th District Civil Court
- Court
- Texas 284th District Court
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Kristin L. Bays
District Judge, Montgomery County 284th District Civil Court · Texas 284th District Court
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- Partner, Bays and Bays, Conroe, TX, 2017-2018
- Practitioner, Texas County Court at Law, Montgomery County Court at Law, TX, 2016-2017
- Practitioner, Bays and Bays, Conroe, TX, 2001-2016
- Practitioner, Solo Practice, The Woodlands, TX, 1997-2001
- Practitioner, Wetzel & Herron, LLP, The Woodlands, TX, 1995-1997
- Practitioner, Winner & Associates, Anchorage, AK, 1994-1995
- Practitioner, Dinkins, Kelly, Lenox, Gerstner & Lamb, Houston, TX, 1993-1994
Judicial service
- Presiding Judge, Texas 284th Judicial District Court, 2019-2022
Education
- Baylor University · summa cum laude, 1993
Courtroom rules and guidance
Courtroom Technology
Judge Bays' courtroom provides an HDMI connection at both counsel tables and an Elmo document camera. The court warns that Apple products are not supported by the current setup and directs counsel using one to bring a backup device.
There is an HDMI cord available at both counsel tables for laptop hookups. An Elmo is available for use in the courtroom.284th District Court Rules ↗
Hearing And Submission Settings
Judge Bays requires counsel to obtain a date from court staff before sending a hearing or submission notice. Ancillary matters are heard in person, while the submission docket is decided without appearance or oral argument.
Please DO NOT send a notice of submission or hearing without prior confirmation from the Court.284th District Court Rules ↗
Civil Trial Settings And Pretrial Control
Montgomery County civil cases are controlled by a court-generated docket control order. Jury-trial requests must be written and served, and the assigned court has sole discretion over the jury-trial week.
All requests for jury trials shall be in writing and copies of said request served upon all attorneys and parties pro se involved in the case. The court shall have sole discretion as to which jury trial week the case will be assigned.Local Rules of the District Courts of Montgomery County, Texas ↗
Civil Remote Appearances
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 ↗
Civil Recording And Broadcasting
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 ↗
Sources
CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · checked August 2, 2026
https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15491/kristin-l-bays/Montgomery County 284th District Court official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 28, 2026
https://www.mctx.org/departments/departments_d_-_f/district_courts/284th_district_court/index.phpTexas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdfTexas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdfLocal Rules of the District Courts of Montgomery County, Texas
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 28, 2026
https://www.mctx.org/LocalRulesoftheDistrictCourts.pdf284th District Court Rules
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 28, 2026
https://www.mctx.org/departments/departments_d_-_f/district_courts/284th_district_court/court_rules.php