Judge Boyd is the first African American and first female judge of the 187th Judicial District Court. She holds a B.A., MBA, and JD and brings over 28 years of experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney. She has a long history of supporting treatment courts, co-presides over adult mental health court at the request of Judge Ron Rangel, and teaches at UTSA. Transparency is essential for educating the public, maintaining trust in the justice system, and allowing parties to appear remotely.
Judges are bound to follow the law. Recent Texas laws allow judges to deny bail for serious offenses, limit their ability to set bonds in certain cases, and give the state the power to appeal bail decisions. Some say the changes protect the community and ensure accountability, while others believe this could increase pretrial detention for low-income defendants. Expanding assessments and pretrial supervision could help address these inequities and create a fairer, more balanced pretrial system.
Reducing drunk driving requires enforcement, education, and prevention. Public education campaigns about the dangers of impaired driving, along with promoting alternative transportation, can reduce incidents. Expanding access to alcohol treatment and intervention programs for repeat offenders addresses root causes, while early education through school programs helps instill awareness and responsible behavior from a young age.
An expanded public defender office combined with the current system, could positively impact the criminal justice system by reducing heavy caseloads, allowing for more thorough preparation and better access to investigative and support services. Since defense attorneys are often paid significantly less than their assistant district attorney counterparts, additional funding is needed. An expansion could address the disparities that disproportionately affect the economically disadvantaged.
Jail overcrowding can be addressed through expanded facilities, effective diversion programs, and improved system efficiency. Increased funding for inpatient restoration programs and psychiatric facilities, combined with hiring additional mental health professionals, can reduce wait times and ensure proper care. Expanding programs such as DDRF, SAPFPF, and ISF, alongside community-based treatment alternatives and electronic monitoring for eligible individuals, can help minimize jail admissions.
No. Lower-income individuals face greater challenges, including bail they cannot afford, limited access to community alternatives, and costly conditions of release like GPS or ignition interlock devices. Wealthier defendants can secure release and access alternatives more easily, highlighting a clear economic disparity in how the system impacts different populations.
I bring more than a decade of experience as a first-chair felony prosecutor at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, handling a broad range of serious criminal cases, including sexual assault and domestic violence matters like those heard in the 187th District Court. These cases demand care, dignity, and respect for victims. As a judge, I will focus on justice and not exploiting victims on YouTube for clicks or views.
In our justice system, those accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the bail system should function within that premise. While unnecessary incarceration should be avoided, public safety is paramount. If a person poses a threat to the community, then appropriate conditions must be put in place to ensure the safety of our community while a case is pending. Overall, I believe in a balanced approach to reduce pretrial incarceration without sacrificing community safety.
Driving while intoxicated remains a serious threat to our community, and there is no single solution to stop it. Real progress requires a balanced approach that pairs prevention with accountability. DWI cases should be handled promptly so intervention and treatment can begin without delay, and offenders should engage in evidence-based therapeutic services to reduce the risk of repeat offenses and keep our roads safe.
The public defender system should be expanded and adequately funded. As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black said, “There can be no equal justice where the kind of trial a person gets depends on the amount of money they have.” Well-resourced public defenders mean fairer outcomes, manageable caseloads, and attorneys who can give each client the attention they deserve. Strong public defense strengthens the entire justice system.
A fair bail system is essential to addressing jail overcrowding. Bail should ensure court appearance and public safety—not jail low-income individuals for minor offenses. When bail is used that way, it worsens overcrowding without improving safety. Judges should set bail intentionally, prioritize cases for incarcerated defendants through regular jail dockets, and move them swiftly to resolution. When appropriate, GPS monitoring can protect the community while reducing unnecessary incarceration.
With strong court-appointed attorneys, a well-resourced Public Defender Office, and a fair District Attorney’s Office, the justice system can better serve people across all economic backgrounds. Bexar County is fortunate to have dedicated attorneys committed to equal representation. Judges play a critical role as well, safeguarding the rights of the accused by ensuring cases proceed only when supported by sufficient evidence—bringing us closer to equal justice for all.
