2026 Texas General Election

Steve Burgess

Buket Urgen

Steve is a judge for Denton County, Texas. He previously worked as a criminal defense attorney in Denton.

Deadly Fake: Tears and heartache in Denton's 158th District Court

Steve is currently a state district judge for the 158th Judicial District. He took the bench in 2011.

The Honorable Steve Burgess - Texas State Directory Online

158th District Court | Denton County, TX

As a criminal defense attorney, Burgess became tired of the cycle of drug use, mental health issues, lack of treatment options and overloaded court dockets.

Legal Experience

As of July 22, 2026, Steve Burgess’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 