Michael De Leon, 54, is a former county court judge with 25 years of experience in criminal law. He’s been a prosecutor, a domestic violence court judge and a criminal defense attorney. He’s challenging Judge Michael Mery in the Democratic primary.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I’m former judge Michael De Leon and I was born and raised in San Antonio. I graduated from Thomas Edison High School, UTSA, and South Texas College of Law. I’m been involved in public service for the past 25 years as a prosecutor with the District Attorney’s Office, a domestic violence court judge, and a criminal defense attorney representing those who cannot afford an attorney. Now I’m running to be Judge of the 144th District Court which handles serious felony cases such as murder and capital murder.
2. Describe your educational background.
I went to San Antonio ISD schools graduating from Thomas Edison High School. I attended UTSA as a political science major and then attended law school at South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. As an attorney I have attended countless CLE (Continuing Legal Education) conferences including training from the Department of Justice-Office of Violence Against Women Act, capital murder prosecution training, and courses at the National District Attorneys Association.
3. Describe your professional experience, what type of law you’ve practiced and noteworthy accomplishments.
For 25 years I have worked exclusively in criminal law. 18 years as a prosecutor, 4 years as a domestic violence court judge, and 4 years as a criminal defense attorney. I started my legal career as a paid intern with Harris County DA’s Office working in protective orders. Then I became a prosecutor handling serious felony crimes such as felony violence aggravated assaults, murders, capital murders, sex crimes against children and adults, and injury to children and the elderly.
Due to my involvement in domestic violence cases, I ran and was elected Judge of County Court #7, a domestic violence court. After being a judge, I became a criminal defense attorney protecting the rights of the accused. Being a prosecutor, judge, and criminal defense attorney, I have a perspective from every side of the courtroom that makes me uniquely qualified to be a district court judge.
4. Philosophically, how do you balance the public’s desire for restitution in all types of crimes, while also providing a productive path forward for offenders who don’t pose a danger to the public?
Those who commit crimes need to be held accountable. While every case is different, accountability can be in the form of probation or prison time. The court system needs to consider if the accused have a criminal history or is he/she a first time offender. The seriousness of the crime and the wishes of the complainants all have to be taken into consideration.
5. Why are you seeking this office, and why did you decide to be a candidate in the political party you chose?
I have been a lifelong Democrat in San Antonio. I was president of the UTSA College Democrats, a Clinton/Gore student coordinator in Bexar County, and I have voted in every single Democratic primary since 1990 when I first voted at 18 for Ann Richards.
I chose to run for the 144th District Court because I have the necessary experience to return to the bench as a judge and increase efficiency and accountability.
