Steve Burgess at a glance
- Current role
- District Judge, Denton County 158th District Court (general jurisdiction, mixed docket)
- Court
- Texas 158th District Court
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Steve Burgess
District Judge, Denton County 158th District Court (general jurisdiction, mixed docket) · Texas 158th District Court
Available research
Courtroom rules and guidance
Electronic Devices And Recording
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.
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.Uniform Rules of Court for the District and Statutory County Courts of Denton County, Texas ↗
Civil Trial Materials And Exhibits
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.
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.Uniform Rules of Court for the District and Statutory County Courts of Denton County, Texas ↗
Ai Generated Filings
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.
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.Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence in Denton County District Courts ↗
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
Denton County 158th District Court official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 28, 2026
https://www.dentoncounty.gov/530/158th-District-CourtTexas 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.pdfUniform Rules of Court for the District and Statutory County Courts of Denton County, Texas
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 28, 2026
https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/957/Uniform-Rules-of-Court-for-the-District-and-Statutory-County-Courts-of-Denton-County-Texas-PDFStanding Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence in Denton County District Courts
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 28, 2026
https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11419/Standing-Order-Regarding-Use-of-Artificial-Intelligence-Denton-County-District-Courts-PDF