Judge Sara Maynard

Sara Maynard was appointed to serve as the Judge of County Court at Law No. 2 by the Smith County Commissioners Court on December 27, 2022.  Judge Maynard was sworn into office on January 2, 2023.  Judge Maynard took over from Judge Taylor Heaton who was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to preside over the 475^th Judicial District Court.  She will serve out the remainder of Judge Heaton’s term which expires on December 31, 2024, and run for this office in the Republican primary in March of 2024.  

Previously, Judge Sara Maynard managed a private practice firm for over twenty-two years after finishing the University of Houston Law School.  Fifteen years of that time, she handled represented numerous children of Smith County in CPS cases. Judge Maynard  served as a prosecutor at Tyler Municipal Court for twelve years.  She has also handled estate planning, probate, civil and criminal law.  Most recently, she served as an assistant Smith County district attorney prosecuting juvenile cases. 

The County Court at Law No. 2 handles Class A/B adult misdemeanors, civil cases and family law cases (divorce, modifications, parent/child relationship, child support, CPS cases and adoptions).

Location

Smith County Courthouse
100 N. Broadway Avenue, 1st Floor
Suite 104
Tyler, Texas 75702

Phone: (903)590-1611
Fax: (903)590-1608

 Links

• Judicial Records Search / Inquiry

Rules of the Court 

ALL ATTORNEYS AND DEFENDANTS SHOULD READ THE FOLLOWING RULES OF THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 2 BEFORE ENTERING THE COURTROOM  OR THE CENTRAL JURY ROOM FOR ARRAIGNMENT.

 1)         All cell phones must be on silent or vibrate while in the courtroom. Taking pictures or video is strictly prohibited.

 2)         No tobacco, gum, food, or drinks are allowed in the courtroom.

 3)         Proper attire is required in the courtroom. The following are NOT permitted:

- shorts (all types) - pants must be below the knee;

- hats (all types, excluding religious headwear);

- muscle shirts, tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, midriff baring, see through clothing;

- underwear must be covered (no bagging/sagging); and

- any item of clothing that displays offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, gang- related, obscene language and/or graphics.

 Weekly Court Dockets

Available Civil/Family Court Dates

 Civil and Criminal Dockets

 Please check the County's website for the verification of the most current civil and criminal court settings.  The Court’s docket is updated daily.  A link to the Smith County Judicial Search is provided in the link above.

 Both civil and criminal dockets are heard in person unless prior arrangements have been made with the staff and approval has been given by the Judge. Criminal Defendants out on a bond are required to appear in person for Court. Failure to appear by the Defendant in a criminal case will result in the Defendant's bond being forfeited, a warrant issued for their arrest and a new bond set in the amount of ten (10) times the original bond.

 Cases where the criminal Defendant is incarcerated are generally heard at Thursday morning jail call, with the exception of a jury trial or bench trial.  Please check the Smith County Judicial Search to determine the exact dates and times.

 Arraignment Dockets

 Arraignment dockets for the current year have been posted to the Smith County website for the convenience of the public.

 Arraignments are held in person at the Smith County Courthouse located at 100 North Broadway Avenue, Tyler, Texas at 8:00 a.m. in the Central Jury Room, unless otherwise noted on the Defendant’s Notice to Appear sent out through the U. S. mail by the Smith County Clerk or Court staff.  Arraignment dates are based upon the Defendant’s date of arrest.  These dates and times can be found on the top right hand corner of the Defendant's bond.  The dates are provided on the bond prior to the release from jail.

 However, the Notice to Appear could have the Defendant appear in person at the County Court at Law No. 2 Courtroom.  Therefore, the Defendant should appear in person at the designated date, time and location. 

 If a waiver of arraignment has not been filed or the Defendant fails to appear at criminal arraignment docket, it will result in the Defendant's bond being forfeited, a warrant issued for their arrest, and a new bond set in the amount of ten (10) times the original bond.

 Attorneys can find a waiver of arraignment form approved and used by this Court under the forms section on this website.  All waivers of arraignment should be e‑filed with the Smith County Clerk's Office  at least 24 hours prior to arraignment.  DO NOT use any other Court's waiver of arraignment forms or it will rejected by the clerk. 

 Please make sure to mark the box on the waiver of arraignment form if the Defendant requires an interpreter (foreign language, sign language, etc.) to communicate with the Judge for any criminal hearing.  Failure to designate this could result in an extended wait time for the Defendant and/or attorney if the interpreter is not available.

 Criminal Appeal Cases from Justice of the Peace Courts

 Defense Attorneys should contact the District Attorney’s Office regarding their case prior to the docket to see if any agreements can be reached in the cases.  If no agreement is reached, the Defense Attorney shall email a letter to clerk’s office stating to the Court that no agreement has been reached and requesting this matter set for either a jury trial or bench trial. 

 If an agreement is reached, the Defense Attorney will get all necessary paperwork from the Smith County District Attorney’s Office.  Defense Attorney’s will contact the Smith County Clerk’s Office to determine the court costs in each case.  All paperwork is should be EMAIL to the Smith County Clerk’s Office at least 24 hours prior to the setting.  Please note that Defense Attorney’s are not be able to e-file the documents.

Eviction Appeals from Justice of the Peace Courts

 Each party should have the appropriate paperwork available for Judge’s signature upon the completion of the hearing with the specific ruling set out in the document in order for the Judge to grant or deny specific relief to the specified party.