Erasmo “Raz” Hernandez worked as a litigation support and evidence manager at the district attorney’s office. He’s seeking the Democratic nomination for Justice of the Peace in Pct. 4.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I am 56 years old. I am a lifelong resident of Bexar County and proudly live in Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. My family has deep roots here, and this community is home. I graduated from East Central High School and have spent more than 34 years working in the Bexar County justice system.
I served under three Bexar County District Attorneys as a Litigation Support and Evidence Manager, supporting misdemeanor and felony cases and testifying in court. My work included trial preparation, evidence management, courtroom technology, and coordination with prosecutors, law enforcement, and crime victims.
I later served as Chief of Staff for the Bexar County District Clerk’s Office, helping modernize operations and improve public access to court services. I currently serve as Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families and own a small business focused on litigation support and community outreach.
2. Please describe the relevant work experience you bring to this job, and how you would approach the role.
Although the position does not require a law degree, it demands practical courtroom experience, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of how the justice system works day to day.
I bring more than 34 years of hands-on experience working inside the Bexar County justice system.I have worked under three Bexar County District Attorneys as a Litigation Support and Evidence Manager, supporting misdemeanor and felony cases from filing through trial, and testifying in court.
This role required strict attention to due process, evidence integrity, and fairness for all parties. I later served as Chief of Staff for the Bexar County District Clerk’s Office, where I helped modernize court operations and improve public access and customer service. As a Justice of the Peace, I would approach the role with fairness, respect, and consistency. I believe every person deserves to be heard, treated with dignity, and have confidence that the court is impartial, accessible, and focused on justice, not politics.
3. 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?
As a Justice of the Peace, my approach would be firm but fair. Restitution should be timely and realistic, structured in a way that holds individuals accountable while increasing the likelihood it is actually paid.
4. Why did you decide to seek this office? And why did you decide to run under the party affiliation that you chose?
I decided to seek this office because I have spent more than three decades working inside our local justice system and I have seen firsthand how much impact a Justice of the Peace has on everyday lives. For many people, JP court is their first and sometimes only interaction with the courts. I want that experience to be fair, respectful, and focused on resolving problems, not making them worse.
After 34 years supporting prosecutors, law enforcement, victims of crime, and court operations, I feel a responsibility to use that experience to serve the public directly.I chose to run as a Democrat because my values align with the party’s commitment to fairness, equal access to justice, and respect for the dignity of every person. I believe courts should be impartial, accessible, and grounded in due process, not politics or ideology. As a Democrat, I support a justice system that balances accountability with compassion and ensures the law is applied fairly to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
5. How would you (or how do you, if already elected) solicit input and feedback from residents in your precinct?
I believe a Justice of the Peace should be visible, accessible, and willing to listen. I would regularly engage with residents through community meetings, neighborhood associations, and local events throughout Precinct 4, not just during election season.
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