Velia grew up in El Paso, Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree in economics from Columbia University and her law degree from St. Mary’s University. She and her husband, Cesar, have 3 children and are members of Life Church in San Antonio.

Velia is the owner and managing partner of Velia J. Meza, Attorney at Law.

Velia J. Meza is a judge of the 226th District Court of Bexar County, Texas.

Candidate website

Has experience in trials of major crimes, criminal appeals, family law, and other civil and administrative matters, practicing in Federal Courts across multiple districts.

As a legal professional, has experience in trials of major crimes, criminal appeals, family law, and other civil and administrative matters, practicing in Federal Courts across multiple districts.

As a judge, upheld the right of a defendant to choose his own counsel, finding no conflict of interest with the attorneys he hired.

- As a legal professional, has experience in trials of major crimes, criminal appeals, family law, and other civil and administrative matters, practicing in Federal Courts across multiple districts.
- As a judge, upheld the right of a defendant to choose his own counsel, finding no conflict of interest with the attorneys he hired.

Legal Experience

Supports timely trial dates for criminal cases.

Supports training defense attorneys on new technology being implemented in the Bexar County judicial system.

Believes in maintaining in-person meetings for Bexar County Courts despite being tech-savvy.

Believes in maintaining in-person meetings for Bexar County Courts despite having remote capabilities.

Believes in protecting defendants' rights by ensuring that evidence and statements are only admitted if obtained in compliance with legal standards.

Believes in strict measures for domestic violence offenders, urging no bond for re-offenders.

- Supports timely trial dates for criminal cases.
- Supports the return of live jury trials.
- Supports training defense attorneys on new technology being implemented in the Bexar County judicial system.
- Believes in maintaining in-person meetings for Bexar County Courts despite having remote capabilities.
- Believes in protecting defendants' rights by ensuring that evidence and statements are only admitted if obtained in compliance with legal standards.
- Supports jail diversion programs.
- Believes in strict measures for domestic violence offenders, urging no bond for re-offenders.

Judicial Administration

Believes in protecting the right to counsel, as demonstrated by the decision in State v. Soto, where supported the suppression of evidence based on a clear invocation of the right to counsel.

Supports protecting the right to counsel.

- Supports protecting the right to counsel.

Judicial Philosophy

Believes in maintaining ethical standards in legal practice, as demonstrated by the disqualification of defense counsel due to conflicts of interest with his firm.

- Believes in maintaining ethical standards in legal practice, as demonstrated by the disqualification of defense counsel due to conflicts of interest with his firm.

Ethics & Conduct

Volunteers to teach trial advocacy to inner-city high school students.

- Volunteers to teach trial advocacy to inner-city high school students.

Community Involvement

Facebook

Twitter

Velia J. Meza

Velia J. Meza grew up in El Paso, Texas. She received her bachelor's degree in economics from Columbia University and her law degree from St. Mary’s University. She and her husband, Cesar, have three children and are members of Life Church in San Antonio.

Velia J. Meza currently serves as Judge of the 226th District Court of Bexar County, Texas. She was first elected in and is serving her term. 

Has taught and mentored new lawyers in Bexar County over the past five years.

- Has taught and mentored new lawyers in Bexar County over the past five years.
- Has experience in trials of major crimes, criminal appeals, family law, and other civil and administrative matters, practicing in Federal Courts across multiple districts.
- As a judge, upheld the right of a defendant to choose his own counsel, finding no conflict of interest with the attorneys he hired.

Believes in holding prosecutors accountable, saying "Prosecutors dismiss most serious criminal charge against Barrientes Vela."

Believes in strict sentencing for juvenile offenders who commit serious crimes.

Believes in hiring defense counsel with diverse experience, saying "These two lawyers did not, while assistant district attorneys, work on Stovall’s case."

Believes in setting strict conditions for offenders to ensure public safety.

Believes in upholding judicial integrity and ensuring fair trial processes, as demonstrated by supporting the remanding of cases for trial when necessary.

Believes in ensuring fair trial standards, as evidenced by supporting relief for a new trial in Fischer v. State.

Believes that once a defendant in custody requests a lawyer, all interrogation must stop until a lawyer is present.

As a judge, granted post-conviction relief to Robert Fischer, finding that new scientific evidence could have changed the trial outcome.

Believes the 4th Court plays a crucial role in judicial administration by considering appeals from over 32 counties in South Texas and hearing both civil and criminal cases.

Believes in upholding lower court decisions when appropriate, as demonstrated by refusing the State’s Petition for Discretionary Review in State v. Soto.

Believes that listening and speaking clearly to all people will help the court make the right decision.

Complies with the Voluntary Limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Worked as a community advocate for Bexar County citizens.

The candidate's website includes a link to a news article titled "Local Woman Facing Second Murder Trial On Same Charge."

The candidate's website says, "This dispute involves a matter tangential to a case that has not yet gone to trial. The defendant, Michael Stovall, was arrested in late 2018."

Believes in ensuring public safety through measures like GPS tracking for individuals facing arson charges.

Has been arrested on drug possession charges in three cases.

The candidate's website says, "Texas Woman Accused In Hit and Run Death Asks Court To Return Her BMW."

Velia J. Meza grew up in El Paso, Texas, and currently resides in San Antonio, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree in Economics from Columbia University and her law degree from St. Mary’s University. Velia and her family are members of Life Church in San Antonio. She has been married to her husband, Cesar, for 20 years, and they have three boys: Geovani, Santiago, and Luke.

Velia J. Meza is currently serving as a Judge of the 226th District Court of Bexar County, Texas. She previously practiced as a private attorney for 16 years.

Velia J. Meza was re-elected as Judge of the 226th District Court of Bexar County, Texas on November 8, 2022. She is currently running to serve on the 4th Court of Appeals, Place 2.

- 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 based on population across the 14 districts.
- Courts with more than three justices decide cases in rotating panels of three.
- Justices are elected in partisan elections for six-year terms.
- The yearly salary for a Court of Appeals justice in Texas is between $192,500 and $255,050 based on the total number of years they have served.

Hears appeals on orders and decisions made by lower trial courts.