KYJKnow Your Judge v0.6.2by SwansLake
Judge directoryMichael G. Dickens

Active Trial judge

Michael G. Dickens

Texas 477th District Court

Texas · Denton

Identity verifiedOfficial profile locatedOfficial sources collectedPresentation intelligence
01

Overview

Identity and service

Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile.

Judicial role
District Judge, Denton County 477th District Court (general jurisdiction, mixed docket)
Service status
Active
Court level
Trial
Jurisdiction
State
02

Before you appear

Preparation checklist

  1. 01

    Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.

  2. 02

    Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.

  3. 03

    Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

Scope note

Judge-specific guidance is shown first. Broader applicable courtroom, courtwide, districtwide, and statewide guidance remains separately labeled below it.

03

Presentation rules

What the public sources say

Judge-specificExplicit
Hearing Or Trial

Allowed

The 477th District Court provides an audio/video system for publishing exhibits, but counsel must bring a laptop. Audio, video, and photo trial exhibits must be placed on a flash drive delivered to the court reporter at or before the beginning of trial.

Page
2
Section
Exhibit Rules
Last checked
July 28, 2026
Verification
Automated checks passed
Read supporting source excerpt
The court has an audio / video system for publishing such exhibits in open court, but you must bring your own laptop for connecting to the system.

The requirement is stated in an official standing order naming this judge.

CourtwideExplicit
Hearing Or Trial

Restricted

Denton County permits participating attorneys and their staff to use electronic devices during hearings, but otherwise prohibits electronic-device use and prohibits recording court proceedings.

Page
2
Section
Rule 1.5.4: Conduct in Courtroom
Effective
January 1, 2025
Last checked
July 28, 2026
Verification
Automated checks passed
Read supporting source excerpt
No electronic devices shall be used in Court, except by attorneys or the attorney's staff during hearings in which that attorney is participating. Further, no audible sounds from communication devices or other electronic devices shall be permitted and no recording of court proceedings shall be permitted.

The requirement is stated in current official court rules and is attached at court scope, not as a personal preference.

CourtwideExplicit
Civil Trial

Restricted

For a Denton County civil trial, parties must deliver witness and exhibit lists, motions in limine, and proposed jury instructions or questions when reporting for trial. Exhibits must be marked, exchanged, and examined at least seven days before trial.

Page
10
Section
Rule 2.13: Trial Procedure in Civil Cases
Effective
January 1, 2025
Last checked
July 28, 2026
Verification
Automated checks passed
Read supporting source excerpt
At least seven (7) days prior to commencement of trial, all exhibits must be marked, exchanged, and examined by counsel so that the trial will not be delayed by such examination.

The requirement is stated in current official court rules and is attached at court scope, not as a personal preference.

CourtwideExplicit
Court Filing Or Submission

Restricted

Denton County District Courts require certification that material created or contributed to by generative AI was independently verified by a person using traditional, non-AI legal sources before submission.

Page
3
Section
Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence
Effective
May 27, 2026
Last checked
July 28, 2026
Verification
Automated checks passed
Read supporting source excerpt
Any information created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence-including, but not limited to, language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis-was, before submission to this Court, independently verified as accurate using traditional (non-AI) legal sources by a human being.

The requirement is stated in current official court rules and is attached at court scope, not as a personal preference.

StatewideExplicit
Civil Hearing Or Trial

Allowed with notice

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.

Page
Official PDF
Section
Rule 21d(b)-(f); civil district and county courts only; current July 1, 2026 compilation
Effective
February 1, 2023
Last checked
July 26, 2026
Verification
Automated checks passed
Read supporting source 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).

The requirement is stated in an official statewide source and is attached as applicable guidance, not as a personal preference.

StatewideExplicit
Civil Proceeding

Leave required

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.

Page
Official PDF
Section
Rule 18c; civil district and county courts only; current July 1, 2026 compilation
Last checked
July 26, 2026
Verification
Automated checks passed
Read supporting source excerpt
A trial court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing of proceedings in the courtroom only in the following circumstances:

The requirement is stated in an official statewide source and is attached as applicable guidance, not as a personal preference.

04

Courtroom technology

Published equipment guidance

No technology specification indexed

Technology availability is separate from procedural permission and evidentiary admissibility.

05

Published opinion footprint

Decisions and citations

Opinion data is not yet indexed for this profile

This does not mean the judge has no published opinions or no caseload. KYJ will only show opinion counts after transparent, source-linked CourtListener matching is available.

06

Sources

Public documents behind this profile

07

Change history

How this profile entered KYJ

Current profile indexed

Identity imported from Denton County 477th District Court. 6 presentation-related claims migrated with source provenance.