As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Because higher education was not something my grandparents or parents had the opportunity to pursue, it was deeply valued in my family as I grew up.

Meet Kristina

I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Economics and little certainty about the direction I wanted my career to take. I had long been interested in the law but was unsure whether the profession would truly make me happy. In an effort to decide, I moved to Houston after college to work as a paralegal at Baker Botts, an extremely prestigious civil law firm.

Still, I was resolved that I would attend law school, pursue a successful legal career, and accept that joy might not be part of the equation.

I returned to San Antonio to attend St. Mary’s University School of Law. During my second year, I began taking courses in criminal law and criminal procedure, and to my surprise, I found myself genuinely engaged and energized.

Kristina Escalona is originally from San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in economics and attended St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Meet Kristina – CanvasRebel Magazine

Kristina has served as an assistant district attorney.

Kristina Escalona - Ballotpedia

Kristina has served as a judge for the Texas 186th District Court since 2023.

2026 Texas General Election

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I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Economics and little certainty about the direction I wanted my career to take. I had long been interested in the law but was unsure whether the profession would truly make me happy. In an effort to decide, I moved to Houston after college to work as a paralegal at Baker Botts, an extremely prestigious civil law firm. I spent two years in the toxic tort litigation section, working on asbestos and silicone claims.

As a state district court judge, she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Worked as a paralegal at Baker Botts for two years on asbestos and silicone claims.

As an assistant district attorney, she prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office.

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- As a state district court judge, she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- Worked as a paralegal at Baker Botts for two years on asbestos and silicone claims.
- As an assistant district attorney, she prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office.

Legal Experience

Behind every judge is a dedicated team responsible for coordinating and managing the court’s docket. I preside over a caseload of more than 400 pending indicted felony cases, along with hundreds of additional cases involving defendants already on supervision. Ensuring that each of these individuals receives timely and fair justice requires a process that runs smoothly and remains well organized. That level of efficiency is only possible because of the hard work of staff who operate largely behind the scenes.

Said timely and fair justice for her felony docket requires a smooth, well-organized court process.

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- Said timely and fair justice for her felony docket requires a smooth, well-organized court process.

Judicial Administration

I eventually returned to the District Attorney’s Office, this time as a senior prosecutor handling aggravated crimes. My experience in defense fundamentally shaped my approach. I became acutely aware of the power the government holds over its citizens and made sure to handle that power with restraint, mercy, and understanding. I continued to remain steadfast in my commitment to represent and protect the people of my community.

In 2021, I made the decision to run for judicial office. Years in the courtroom gave me a clear understanding of the role of a judge. It is one that demands neutrality, faithfulness to the law, and a commitment to protecting both victims of crime and the rights of the accused.

My time as a criminal defense attorney was equally humbling. Representing accused citizens revealed the full extent of the government’s power over individuals and reinforced the necessity of zealous advocacy even when it was unpopular. I came to understand that most people who commit crimes are not inherently evil, but are often in crisis due to mental health challenges, substance abuse, or circumstances that push them into cycles of criminal behavior. The criminal justice system has a responsibility not only to hold individuals accountable, but also to provide opportunities for rehabilitation and meaningful change.

These two professional perspectives have converged to shape the way I rule from the bench.

As a judge presiding over a felony criminal docket, it is essential to respect the power and influence the court holds over the lives of those who appear before it. Judicial decisions can change lives for better or worse. Such decisions must be tempered with mercy and understanding for all parties, and they require a judge to maintain a broad, balanced perspective.

The criminal justice system has a responsibility not only to hold individuals accountable, but also to provide opportunities for rehabilitation and meaningful change.

These two professional perspectives have converged to shape the way I rule from the bench. They have grounded me in the importance of considering all sides, deciding with deliberation and foresight, and ruling decisively and efficiently. Above all, they guide me to ensure that both parties and the community at large can trust that each decision is made in the true interest of justice.

The election process challenged my quiet, introverted nature. It required me to speak openly about my accomplishments and explain why I was qualified to serve. Through the process, I sharpened my communication skills, learned the intricacies of election law, and worked tirelessly for two years. In 2022, I was elected Judge of the 186th District Court, an achievement beyond what I had ever imagined.

Today, I preside over a felony criminal docket, making legal rulings, conducting jury trials, and pronouncing judgments, all while ensuring that every individual who enters my courtroom is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their role.

“What I always think is whether you are male or female, bottom line is, you have the knowledge, you have the skill set, you have the demeanor and the perspective,” said Escalona. “And first and foremost, you are able to treat everybody who enters your courtroom with respect. And those are the qualities that everyone needs in a judge, no matter no matter your gender.”

Texas’ largest counties buck state, national trends by electing female judges

Said a judge's role demands neutrality, faithfulness to the law, and protection of crime victims' and defendants' rights.

Believes criminal justice should hold people accountable while providing opportunities for rehabilitation and meaningful change.

Said judicial decisions should be tempered with mercy and understanding and made from a broad, balanced perspective.

Prioritizes considering all sides and making deliberate, forward-looking, decisive, and efficient rulings.

Commits to treating every person who enters her courtroom with dignity and respect, regardless of their role.

- Said a judge's role demands neutrality, faithfulness to the law, and protection of crime victims' and defendants' rights.
- Believes criminal justice should hold people accountable while providing opportunities for rehabilitation and meaningful change.
- Said judicial decisions should be tempered with mercy and understanding and made from a broad, balanced perspective.
- Prioritizes considering all sides and making deliberate, forward-looking, decisive, and efficient rulings.
- Commits to treating every person who enters her courtroom with dignity and respect, regardless of their role.

Judicial Philosophy

As of July 22, 2026, Kristina Escalona did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Kristina Escalona

Served as an assistant district attorney and line prosecutor after joining the office in 2005.

Practiced as a criminal defense attorney for five years, focusing on preserving defendants' constitutional rights.

Returned to the district attorney's office as a senior prosecutor handling cases involving aggravated crimes.

- Said timely and fair justice for her felony docket requires a smooth, well-organized court process.

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

Kristina Escalona is from San Antonio, Texas. She has a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Texas and a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law.

Meet one of the new Bexar County criminal district court judges - KSAT

Kristina is a judge for the 186th District Court in Texas. She previously served as an assistant district attorney and a senior prosecutor. Before attending law school, she worked as a paralegal at Baker Botts. 

Kristina Escalona | 2022 candidate for 186th District Court

Kristina is currently a judge on the Bexar County Criminal District Court.

Texas' largest counties buck state, national trends by electing female ...

As a presiding judge, serves on the Felony Veterans Treatment Court, which provides services to veterans involved in the criminal justice system due to military-related issues.

Believes in the power of grassroots movements and works to empower individuals to take action in their own neighborhoods.

Volunteers with local nonprofits and community events.

Kristina is a judge for the 186th District Court in Texas. She previously served as an assistant district attorney, a senior prosecutor, and a criminal defense attorney. Before attending law school, she worked as a paralegal at Baker Botts.

Kristina is currently a judge of the 186th District Court. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. Before her election to the bench, Kristina worked as an assistant district attorney.

186th Criminal District Court | Bexar County, TX - Official Website

Kristina is a judge for the 186th District Court. She previously served as an assistant district attorney and a senior prosecutor. Before attending law school, she worked as a paralegal.

Kristina is currently a judge of the 186th District Court. She was elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term. Before her election, she worked as a prosecutor for 12 years.

Believes most people who commit crimes are not inherently evil, but are often in crisis due to mental health challenges, substance abuse, or circumstances that push them into cycles of criminal behavior.

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Isaac Brickman

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 