SAN ANTONIO – When she was elected to the 289th Juvenile District Court bench last November, Jackie Valdes said the new position allows her to continue her mission as a juvenile prosecutor.
“It was always from the perspective of what is in the best interest of this child to rehabilitate,” Valdes said Monday.
Valdes said her mother, Senior District Judge Maria Teresa “Tessa” Herr, encouraged her to seek election.
“My mom kept telling me the time will come when you just really feel like you haven’t an option,” Valdes said,
That time came, Valdes said when she saw the incumbent judge’s poor attendance record.
“I felt like the citizens of Bexar County should have a judge who was invested and knowledgeable and cares enough to show up,” Valdes said.
“It’s a perfect fit for her”, Herr said. “It just amazes me that she ends up as a judge in a juvenile court where she still can do what she loves and that is to help kids.”
Related: State district court judge conducts inspection of juvenile facilities in Bexar County