O’Neil Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in corporate human resource management from Palm Beach Atlantic College and his law degree from Tulane Law School. He lives in Fort Bend County, Texas, where he has been a long-time resident.

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O’Neil currently works as an assistant public defender for Fort Bend County. He previously served as an associate district judge for the 240th Judicial District Court and as presiding district judge for the 268th Judicial District Court. Earlier in his career, he worked as an assistant public defender, a sole practitioner in private practice, a student attorney in a criminal law clinic, and a legal researcher for a policy organization.

R. O'Neil Williams previously served as judge of the Texas 268th District Court. He was first elected in 2018 and served one term from January 2019 to December 2022. He previously ran for judge of the Texas 268th District Court in 2022 and did not win.

R. O'Neil Williams - Ballotpedia

O’Neil is currently running for election for judge of the Texas 458th District Court. Williams previously served as a judge of the Texas 268th District Court. He served one term from 2019 to 2022. Williams previously ran for re-election to the Texas 268th District Court in 2022, but did not win.

Has 30 years of experience in law enforcement and legal practice.

Believes his combined experience in law enforcement, criminal defense, and the judiciary qualifies him to serve as a district judge.

- Believes his combined experience in law enforcement, criminal defense, and the judiciary qualifies him to serve as a district judge.

Legal Experience

Believes courts should be accessible, responsive, and managed by judges who listen to the community

- Believes courts should be accessible, responsive, and managed by judges who listen to the community

Judicial Administration

Believes judges should be impartial, fair, and compassionate

Believes protecting civil rights is a central responsibility of the courts

- Believes judges should be impartial, fair, and compassionate
- Believes protecting civil rights is a central responsibility of the courts

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, O'Neil Williams’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Believes long-term public service and community roots are important for judicial leadership

- Believes long-term public service and community roots are important for judicial leadership

Community Involvement

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O'Neil Williams

Believes judges should act with integrity, fairness, and impartiality

- Believes judges should act with integrity, fairness, and impartiality

Fundraiser by Rodney Williams : O'NEIL WILLIAMS FOR JUDGE

- 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.