About Judge O'Brien


Honorable Margaret O'BrienJudge Margaret O’Brien was elected to serve in 2018. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University earning her BS in Chemistry.  She later obtained her MS in Environmental Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center.  For nearly a decade, she worked as an Industrial Hygienist for Amoco, Motorola and Texas Instruments. In 2004, she became a small business owner.  She is a licensed real estate broker, Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), and has a Graduate Certificate from Southern Methodist University in Dispute Resolution/Mediation.

Judge O’Brien was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and has lived in Texas since 1976.  She hears criminal and civil cases under $20,000 which include small claims, repair and remedy, evictions, debt claims, traffic tickets, fraudulent checks and fine-only misdemeanors. Judge O’Brien understands the struggles of everyday life and is honored to serve the people of Precinct 2 (part of East Dallas, Balch Springs, Garland, Mesquite, Rowlett, Sachse, Sunnyvale, and Wylie).  She pledges to listen carefully, treat everyone with respect and fairness, and make sure all have access to affordable justice.