Veronica Legarreta is a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor in the Bexar County District Attorney’s office. She’s run for judge before as both a Republican and a Democrat, but is seeking the Democratic nomination for District Attorney this year.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I attended college at the University of Texas at Austin and law school at St. Mary’s
School of Law in San Antonio. I started my career as s a prosecutor and am now a defense attorney and civil litigator. I have tried approximately 150 jury trials to verdict. I have practiced in Bexar County and several Texas counties and in State and Federal Court.
I am and have been a Magistrate Judge for the past 3 years. I have learned so much about report writing, filings and decisions that get made when starting a case. I understand why cases fall apart.
I serve as the Chair of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, SA Chapter; the Chair-Elect for the Hispanic Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Texas, and as a member of the Rotary Pearl Club. These positions have taught me valuable lessons in managing people.
2. Tell us about how long you’ve been practicing law, areas of expertise and prosecutorial experience, if any.
I have been practicing law for 19 years, with extensive experience in criminal law from
both the prosecution and defense perspectives. I began my career as a prosecutor, where I handled a wide range of criminal matters and gained significant courtroom experience, including jury trials, motion practice, and working closely with law enforcement and victims.
I then transitioned into criminal defense, representing clients in cases ranging from
minor offenses to the most serious felony charges. Over the course of my career, I have tried virtually every type of criminal case, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of criminal procedure, trial advocacy, evidentiary issues, and sentencing considerations.
This dual experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney has given me a balanced, practical perspective on the criminal justice system and has informed my commitment to fairness, professionalism, and the effective administration of justice.
3. This office has been under stress in many ways, in terms of understaffing, case backlog and crimes committed by repeat offenders. Talk about your plans to make change in the first 100 days.
In my first 100 days, my priority will be to restore stability, accountability, and public
safety by addressing staffing shortages, reducing case backlog, and focusing resources on repeat and violent offenders. I will begin with a thorough review of caseloads and office operations to reallocate duties so that experienced prosecutors are assigned to the most serious and repeat-offender cases, while non-attorney or administrative tasks are shifted away from attorneys to maximize efficiency.
I will implement new, clearly defined policies for charging decisions, plea negotiations,
and case resolution that emphasize swift and certain consequences for repeat offenders, while promoting consistency and fairness across cases. Early case screening and vertical prosecution will be expanded to move lower-level cases more quickly and allow greater focus on violent crime and chronic offenders.
Policies will encourage diversion and treatment where appropriate, reserving the
toughest enforcement for those who pose the greatest risk to public safety. By setting firm expectations, improving workflow, and reinforcing accountability, the office can reduce backlog, support its staff, and deliver meaningful change within the first 100 days.
4. Talk about your philosophical approach to balancing the public’s desire to see all types of crimes prosecuted with the rehabilitative justice policies that provide a path forward for some offenders?
My philosophy is grounded in the belief that public safety and justice are best served
through a balanced approach that holds offenders accountable while recognizing that not all cases require the same response. The public rightly expects crimes to be taken seriously and prosecuted consistently, particularly violent offenses and crimes committed by repeat offenders. Those cases demand firm enforcement, meaningful consequences, and a clear message that unlawful conduct will not be tolerated.
At the same time, effective prosecution requires discretion. For certain nonviolent, first-time, or low-level offenders, rehabilitative justice policies can reduce recidivism, conserve resources, and ultimately enhance public safety. When supported by clear guidelines, accountability measures, and judicial oversight, diversion, treatment, and problem-solving courts provide a path forward that addresses the root causes of criminal behavior rather than simply recycling individuals through the system.
The key is transparency, consistency, and data-driven decision-making. Prosecutorial
discretion must be exercised within well-defined policies so that similar cases are treated similarly, and the community understands how decisions are made. By reserving the strongest enforcement tools for those who pose the greatest risk, while offering structured rehabilitation to appropriate offenders, the justice system can both meet public expectations and promote lasting safety and fairness.
5. In a crowded field of candidates, what differentiates you from the others running?
What differentiates me is the breadth of my experience and the perspective it provides. I have served this community as a prosecutor, a criminal defense attorney, and as a criminal magistrate judge. Few candidates have worked in all three roles, and each has given me a firsthand understanding of how decisions impact public safety, defendants’ rights, victims, and the courts.
As a prosecutor, I learned the importance of accountability and protecting the
community. As a defense attorney, I gained insight into fairness, due process, and the real-world consequences of prosecutorial decisions. As a magistrate judge, I apply the law impartially every day, managing cases efficiently and making difficult decisions under pressure.
This unique, balanced experience allows me to approach leadership with judgment,
credibility, and practical knowledge. I understand where the system works, where it fails, and how to make improvements that are both tough, fair, and effective.
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