Texas Gov, Lori Valenzuela

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Served as a District Court Judge from 2009 to 2020.

As a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, ensures federal and law has been applied correctly in civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts in thirty-two counties of Texas; in civil cases where judgment rendered exceeds $100, exclusive of costs, and other civil proceedings as provided by law; and in criminal cases except in post-conviction writs of habeas corpus and where the death penalty has been imposed

Serves as a Justice of the 4th Court of Appeals since January 2021.

As a state district court judge, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

As an attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office,  researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided counsel to clients while specializing in prosecuting in baby death cases, murders and violent crimes.

As an independent criminal defense attorney, ensures defendants’ rights are not violated by the government over the course of an investigation or trial, gathers evidence and interviews witnesses, provides advice and counsel on sentencing standards and possible plea deals, and represents defendants during pre-trial hearings, the trial, and any post-trial sentencing hearings.

As county magistrate in Bexar County, processed all arrests made within Bexar County that were a class B or higher and also processed class C charges that are filed out of the Justice of the Peace Courts.

- As a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, ensures federal and law has been applied correctly in civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts in thirty-two counties of Texas; in civil cases where judgment rendered exceeds $100, exclusive of costs, and other civil proceedings as provided by law; and in criminal cases except in post-conviction writs of habeas corpus and where the death penalty has been imposed
- As a state district court judge, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As an attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office,  researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided counsel to clients while specializing in prosecuting in baby death cases, murders and violent crimes.
- As an independent criminal defense attorney, ensures defendants’ rights are not violated by the government over the course of an investigation or trial, gathers evidence and interviews witnesses, provides advice and counsel on sentencing standards and possible plea deals, and represents defendants during pre-trial hearings, the trial, and any post-trial sentencing hearings.
- As county magistrate in Bexar County, processed all arrests made within Bexar County that were a class B or higher and also processed class C charges that are filed out of the Justice of the Peace Courts.

Legal Experience

As presiding judge, co-founded the Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court.

Co-founded the Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court.

Served as chair of the Texas Center for the Judiciary Board of Directors.

- Co-founded the Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court.
- Served as chair of the Texas Center for the Judiciary Board of Directors.

Judicial Administration

Believes in "equal access to justice" and promises to rule "impartially" and "fairly" and to uphold "the Constitutions of the United States and Texas."

Believes in "equal access to justice" and promises to rule impartially to uphold "the Constitutions of the United States and Texas."

- Believes in "equal access to justice" and promises to rule impartially to uphold "the Constitutions of the United States and Texas."

Judicial Philosophy

As of May 13, 2025, Lori I. Valenzuela’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Served on the executive board of the Boy Scouts of America.

Served as a board member of the Family Service Association, a nonprofit organization that provides services to families and individuals in need.

Served as chairperson of the board of directors for the St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, a non-profit organization that provides residential care for children in foster care.

- Served on the executive board of the Boy Scouts of America.
- Served as a board member of the Family Service Association, a nonprofit organization that provides services to families and individuals in need.
- Served as chairperson of the board of directors for the St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, a non-profit organization that provides residential care for children in foster care.

Community Involvement

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Lori I. Valenzuela

- In Texas, appeals from district and county courts, except death penalty cases, go to one of 14 intermediate courts of appeal.
- There are a total of 80 appellate court seats, distributed variably among the courts as defined by law.
- Courts with more than three justices decide cases in rotating panels of three.
- Justices are elected in partisan elections for six-year terms.
- The annual salary for intermediate court justices is approximately $170,000.