Kevin Patrick Yeary is from Cotulla, Texas, and was raised in Laredo, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree in English and communication arts and a law degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He and his wife have four children.

Kevin Patrick Yeary, candidate for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ...

Kevin Patrick Yeary is from Cotulla, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree in english and communication arts and a law degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He and his wife have four children.

Kevin is a judge for Place 4 of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He previously worked as a briefing attorney for a judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, an associate attorney at Hedges & Walsh, and an assistant district attorney in Dallas and Harris counties. He also served as an assistant criminal district attorney in Bexar County.

Kevin Patrick Yeary - Ballotpedia

Kevin is currently a judge for Place 4 of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2020.

Kevin is currently a judge for Place 4 of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He was first elected in 2014 and is serving his 2nd term.

As a federal appeals court judge, ensures federal law has been applied correctly in all civil, criminal, and constitutional cases where a defendant or qualified plaintiff requests review of a lower court’s ruling.

As a district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal actions under state law and presented cases before grand juries.

- As a federal appeals court judge, ensures federal law has been applied correctly in all civil, criminal, and constitutional cases where a defendant or qualified plaintiff requests review of a lower court’s ruling.
- As a district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal actions under state law and presented cases before grand juries.

Legal Experience

As of January 22, 2026, Kevin Patrick Yeary’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Believes it is the job of the Legislature and the Governor to establish policy, advocates for judicial restraint in law interpretation, and emphasizes the need for an independent yet cautious Judiciary.

Believes the Legislature and Governor should establish policy, not the courts.

Believes judges must resist being policy makers and that changes in the law should be pursued through legislative and executive channels, not the courts.

Believes that judges must resist being policy makers and that changes in the law should be pursued through legislative and executive channels, not the courts.

Supports judicial restraint in interpreting laws.

Believes that opinions written by judges are not the law.

- Believes the Legislature and Governor should establish policy, not the courts.
- Believes that judges must resist being policy makers and that changes in the law should be pursued through legislative and executive channels, not the courts.
- Supports judicial restraint in interpreting laws.
- Advocates for an independent judiciary.
- Believes that opinions written by judges are not the law.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Isaac Brickman

Walter Ley

- Voters of the entire state elect judges to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals. He or she serves in that capacity for a full six-year term. There are no term limits, but judges must retire at 75 years or older.
- The court has the power to overturn a criminal conviction and is the final authority on criminal matters in the state of Texas.
- The Criminal Court of Appeals can choose whether or not to review most criminal cases. However, the court is required to review cases involving the death penalty or bail denials.
- Court of Criminal Appeals judges earn a salary of $210,000 to $264,600, depending on how long they have served.

One of nine judges who serves on the highest appeals court for criminal matters in Texas. 

Texas

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Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Republican Primary

Election results

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