2026 Texas General Election

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Jessica N. Padilla

Jessica N. Padilla has a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a law degree from South Texas College of Law.

"Jessica is a judge at Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 14. She previously worked as a prosecutor at the Harris County District Attorney's Office."

Jessica N. Padilla is currently a judge of the Harris County Criminal Court-at-Law - Court 14. She was first elected in 2022 and is in her first term. She previously ran for Harris County Criminal Court-at-Law Judge - Court 13 in 2018 and did not win.

As of July 22, 2026, Jessica N. Padilla’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Jessica N. Padilla is currently a Harris County Criminal Court-at-Law Judge, Post 14. She was first elected in 2022 and is in her first term.

Buket Urgen

Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 14

Jessica N. Padilla is currently a Harris County Criminal Court-at-Law Judge - Court 14. She was first elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. She previously ran for Harris County Criminal Court-at-Law Judge – Court 13 in 2018 and did not win.

Jessica Padilla | BallotReady

Legal Experience

Said, "The pandemic has highlighted the need for more efficient processes in our courts. We must adapt to ensure that justice is served without unnecessary delays."

Supports the expanded Language Access Plan, stating, "It's essential that all individuals, regardless of their language proficiency, have access to justice. This plan is a step in the right direction to ensure fairness in our courts."

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Yahaira Quezada is originally from the Dominican Republic and New York City. She earned a bachelor's degree from the City College of New York, and a law degree from Texas Southern University.

Yahaira is a Family Court Associate Judge. She works at the 246th Family District Court in Harris County. She previously worked at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney, at the Harris County Juvenile Public Defender’s Office as a juvenile public defender, in private practice as a criminal defense attorney, at a law firm handling immigration cases, as an adjudication hearing officer for the City of Houston, and as an adjunct professor teaching law.

LinkedIn

Yahaira currently works as a family court associate judge for the 246th District Court. She previously worked as an attorney at Quezada Law Group, PLLC, an assistant district attorney for the Harris County District Attorney, and as an attorney at HendlerLaw, the Travis County Juvenile Public Defender, and Walker Bright law firm.

Yahaira Quezada's campaign for Judge of the Harris County Criminal Court At Law No. 14 is her first run for public office.

Yahaira Quezada - Ballotpedia

Yahaira's campaign for Harris County Criminal Court at Law judge is her first run for public office.

Yahaira has worked as an attorney for 19 years, and as an associate judge for the 246th Family District Court for 7 years.

As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- Yahaira has worked as an attorney for 19 years, and as an associate judge for the 246th Family District Court for 7 years.
- As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

As of July 22, 2026, Yahaira Quezada’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to "continue her work to always do right by others, ethically and with compassion."

Supports "protecting public safety and promoting opportunity for everyone. "

- Plans to "continue her work to always do right by others, ethically and with compassion."
- Supports "protecting public safety and promoting opportunity for everyone. "

Instagram

Yahaira Quezada

- Handles cases for Class A misdemeanors–including assault of a family member, property theft between $750 and $2,500, and using force against a law enforcement officer when resisting or evading arrest–and Class B misdemeanors–including criminal mischief and property theft between $100 and $750.
- Serves as an appellate judge for cases from local courts. They work on all cases they receive until they are closed or appealed to a higher court.
- County criminal court-at-law judges are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for county criminal court-at-law judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Handles various misdemeanors and criminal appeals from local courts.

Harris County Criminal Court at Law Judge, Post 14

Candidates (2)