Beaumont attorney Glen Engle pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering with court records on Tuesday.
Last February, Engle allegedly presented a forged affidavit to 58th District Court Judge Bob Wortham during a hearing concerning a child custody case.
On May 22, Judge Wortham testified that he believed the affidavit to be a forgery, prompting him to take investigative action and ultimately notify the authorities.
"I felt obligated by the mechanics of ethics to report (the affidavit) to the (Jefferson County) District Attorney's Office," Wortham testified.
If convicted, Engle could face up to two years in prison.
Engle is also facing separate charges of impersonating a pubic official.
In April 2011, a Jefferson County grand jury indicted Engle for impersonating a public official by using the name of his brother's ex-girlfriend to get a notary public certificate.
A year later, on April 26 Engle was indicted on another charge of tampering with a government document.
Missouri City attorney Jimmie Brown represents Engle.
Attorney Ed Shettle, first assistant of criminal division, represents the state.
Judge John Stevens of the Criminal District Court is presiding over the trial.
Case No. 11410