I have a range of experience throughout my career. Working with municipalities in Bexar County to bring 5G to our community in a safe and collaborative way; managing national programs with team members spread across the globe to being the prosecutor in CC9 prior to filing to run. I have also had the opportunity to see the inter workings of the Criminal Justice System from all sides. As a concerned family member of a defendant, an advocate for both sides and a victim myself.
When ran properly, Specialty Courts can bring important knowledge, training and resources to those community members who need it most, regardless of whether its a victim or a defendant. Having a centralized guiding force allows our court system to focus on systemic issues and bring about healing and change that allows our community to grow for the better. All of Bexar County's Specialty Courts are successful in their own ways and I would be open to exploring one that helps tackle the unhoused.
We strive to create equality, but the unfortunate reality is that it is not. Having access to resources and higher priced representation can be a huge factor in how a Defendant's case is resolved. This can be addressed by increasing education surrounding the Justice System and individual rights. Our society has evolved into those who have knowledge and those who do not. Knowledge allows one to make decisions that will enhance lives versus living to survive by any means necessary.
I would absolutely perform marriage ceremony for any two consenting adults who ask me to. I believe love is love and everyone should have access to the same ability to profess their feelings and relationship to the world and their family's, be it chosen or biological.
I think it is a great idea as it keeps non-violent offenders out of our over crowded jail while also allowing them to gain skills and resources that they might not have had access to before. I think beneficial punishments such as community service and giving back will have a greater and more beneficial outcome for all parties involved. It allows the offender to have a sense of pride and connection to the community and that their mistakes are not what defines them.
I have been a criminal defense attorney, a high level prosecutor and a judicial staff attorney in my 13 year career. As a prosecutor, I have risen to the level of division chief of family justice and have tried criminal cases at all levels. I have been able to see what has worked in the criminal justice system and what does not work, and that will make me the kind of judge that can use the tools at my disposal to fairly decide just outcomes for everyone involved in the justice system.
I believe that all specialty courts are important because they focus on the issues that cause people to commit crimes in our community. Specifically, I have been a prosecutor assigned to the veterans treatment court (VTC) in Bexar County. As the daughter of a mom who served honorably in Desert Storm, specialty treatment for veterans holds a special place in my heart, and it was a great honor working in that role as a VTC prosecutor. I would support a new court that dealt w/ unhoused defendants.
No, I don’t believe it does, because defendants who are more economically advantaged are able to afford better representation, and typically get better outcomes. As a prosecutor, I often see that defendants who are not able to afford an attorney are appointed overworked and underpaid attorneys who are not able
to give their case the kind of attention it deserves. I believe the Bexar County Public Defender’s Office does a great job, but they are not able to be assigned all of the appointed cases.
Yes, I believe that everyone is entitled to respect and equal access to the courts for all purposes including marriage. Who a person loves and wants to commit their lives in marriage to is a personal choice and a constitutionally protected right, and as judge, I will celebrate and perform marriage ceremonies for everyone entitled under the law to get married. As a person whose marriage used to be outlawed in our country as well, I know personally how important the right to marry who you love is.
I believe this is an important program that encourages rehabilitation and discourages recidivism, which should be the goal of every court and the criminal justice system as a whole. As a felony prosecutor dealing with the most heinous crimes against children, I have been able to see many times that the person in front of me could have been rehabilitated if the proper intervention had happened in a misdemeanor court earlier on in their lives. I fully support Bexar Gives Back as an important tool.
After graduating St. Mary’s in 2024, I began my career as an ADA at the Bexar County DA’s office. I prosecuted cases at the misdemeanor and felony levels, preserved convictions in appellate courts, and drafted legislation protecting victims of family violence. Since leaving in 2012, I protect the constitutional rights of persons accused of any crime. I also am a Board member for SACDLA, sit on committees bettering courthouse facilities, and a former Board member for the Junior League of SA.
I am very familiar with the speciality courts in Bexar County. As a prosecutor I worked with the misdemeanor Drug Court, and as a defense attorney, I was the court appointed attorney for clients in Re Entry and STRIVE courts. The key factors for success come down to the willingness of participants to make a change and a team dedicated to the success of individuals. I support any and all specialty courts only accepting voluntary participants and dedicated to participants’ successes.
In general, yes, but there are times where it can be unfair for a number of reasons including economic status. The goal of all courts should be to facilitate due process regardless of gender, race, and economic status. But this goal may not be met depending on actions of prosecutors and the representation of defense attorneys. As a judge, I would require all persons be treated equally and fairly by prosecutors, defense attorneys, and court staff.
Yes, I will perform marriage ceremonies for all couples. Same sex couples have a fundamental right to marry just the same as different sex couples. As a judge I will welcome any and all persons in my court and will happily perform marriage ceremonies for all.
I wholeheartedly support the Bexar Gives Back program. I grew up in Virginia where it is common place to see local inmates repaying the community through roadside litter removal, park cleanups, and landscaping while supervised by deputies. I was excited to learn of the launch of the program in 2020, and I hope it continues and expands in Bexar County.
