top of page

     Judge Smith is the presiding judge of the 380th Judicial District Court. He was appointed by Governor Rick Perry on August 10, 2012, following his victory in the 2012 Republican primary. The 380th judicial district comprises Collin County. As a general jurisdiction state trial court, the 380th presides over criminal felony, family law, and civil matters. Judge Smith was re-elected in 2016, 2020, and 2024.

​

     Prior to his appointment to the bench in 2012, Smith had a general law practice. Smith also worked for eight years as an Assistant District Attorney in Kaufman and Collin Counties. As a prosecutor, Smith excelled in many roles: Chief Felony Prosecutor, Chief of the Misdemeanor Division, Second Assistant District Attorney, and Chief of the Special Prosecution Division.  During his career, Smith supervised scores of young attorneys and tried hundreds of cases ranging from misdemeanor shoplifting to mortgage fraud, and from simple assault to capital murder. 

​

     Judge Smith received his juris doctorate from the Boston University School of Law in 2002 and his Bachelor of Science degree from the Boston University College of Communication. 

​

     Judge Smith has resided in Texas since 2002.  He and his wife, Rebecca, have two sons and two spoiled dogs. 

​

ABOUT THE FIFTH COURT OF APPEALS

The Fifth Court of Appeals District, located in Dallas, is comprised of Dallas, Collin, Grayson, Rockwall, Hunt , and Kaufman counties. The Court presides over civil and criminal appeals from district and county courts. The chief justice and 12 justices are elected by the citizens of the district to six-year terms.. Cases are typically decided by panels consisting of three justices.

ABOUT JUDGE SMITH

Education

  • Boston University School of Law, J.D. (1999-2002)

    • Public Interest Law Journal​

  • Boston University College of Communication, B.S. (1992-1996)

  • ​University of Oxford (2002)

    • Comparative Law, Intellectual Property, Commercial Law, Jurisprudence​

Professional Experience

  • Presiding Judge, 380th Judicial District Court, Collin County, Texas (2012 - Present)

  • Local Administrative District Judge, Collin County, Texas (2018 - 2019)

  • Law Office of Ben Smith, McKinney, Texas

  • Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office, McKinney, Texas

  • Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney's Office, Kaufman, Texas

Memberships

  • State Bar of Texas Committee on Pattern Jury Charges - Criminal, Member

  • Curt B. Henderson Inn of Court, Master of the Bench

  • Texas Center for the Judiciary, Member

  • Collin County Bar Association, Member

  • Korean-American Citizens League of New England, Member

  • Collin County Young Lawyers Association (Past)

Teaching and Speaking Engagements

  • Classical Conversations, 2013-2019, 2025, Mock Trial Instructor

  • Taking on the Big Firm, Collin County Bar Association, Solo/Small Firm Section, 2020, Speaker

  • Cross Examination, Collin County Trial Academy, 2017, 2019, Faculty

  • CSCD Records in Family Cases, Collin County Bench Bar Foundation, 2018, Speaker

  • Jury Trials, Collin County Bar Association - Family Law Section, 2017, Speaker

  • Cross Examination, Collin County Trial Academy, 2017, Faculty

  • Jury Charges, Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2017, Speaker

  • Jury Charges, Dallas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association 2016, Speaker

  • Musings from the Bench, Collin County Bar Association, 2015, Presenter

  • Korean-American Citizens League of New England, 2015, Presenter

  • Legal Aspects of Social Media, Collin County Bar Association, 2013, Presenter

  • Court Procedures, Collin County Bar Association, 2013, Presenter

2025 Judge Ben Smith  |  Pol. Adv. paid for and/or authorized by Judge Ben Smith for Justice, 5th Court of Appeals.

BACK TO TOP

bottom of page