Helen Petry Stowe, 47, was appointed to fill a vacancy in County Court No. 1 in 2018, and has been elected twice since. She taught 8th grade English before pursing a law degree from St. Mary’s University, and went on to become a felony prosecutor for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
My name is Helen Petry Stowe. I’m a native San Antonian and have lived here all of my adult life. I’ve worked in public service as a public school teacher, teaching 8th grade English in SAISD, before returning to St. Mary’s law school. After law school, I worked as an assistant district attorney for Bexar County for over ten years. I have been the judge in County Court at Law #1 since 2018. In my role as judge, I work with many first-time misdemeanor offenders and I also preside over a specialty court that focuses on drug and alcohol recovery.
2. Describe your educational background.
I am very proud that I have a GED. I began my undergraduate degree at age 17, as a young, single mother. I have a BA in English from UTSA. After becoming certified to teach English in the State of Texas, I returned to law school at St. Mary’s University and received my JD in 2007.
Describe your professional experience, what type of law you’ve practiced and noteworthy accomplishments.
3. Describe your professional experience, what type of law you’ve practiced and noteworthy accomplishments.
During law school I worked with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid and with a local family law attorney. Soon after graduating, I began practicing criminal law exclusively, as an assistant district attorney for Bexar County. I have a great deal of trial and appellate experience that gives me a great deal of confidence in my work. I am complimented often on my judicial temperament, work ethic, and the tone I set in County Court 1.
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?
The majority of misdemeanor offenders that take responsibility are facing probation or deferred adjudication for the offense committed, and whether restitution should be ordered is something I consider in every case. In cases where restitution is ordered, I am very clear with probationers that restitution owed to a complainant is one of the most important conditions of their probation, and should be a top priority.
5. Why are you seeking this office, and why did you decide to be a candidate in the political party you chose?
I am seeking a third term as judge in County Court 1, because I love my job, and I love our community, and I care deeply about due process and the rule of law. I am a lifelong Democrat, and was brought up by my grandmother and mother, a public school teacher and an R.N., who instilled Democratic values.
I believe in equity in education, and that everyone should get a fair shake and have an opportunity to achieve goals and have the resources to take care of themself and their family. I am keenly aware that as a teen mother, I could easily have fallen into poverty without the opportunities and resources that were made available to me and championed by my political party. I hope to always be able to champion others and reach back to help new generations succeed.
