Judge Nieto is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received her J.D. from Texas Southern University.

Judge Nadine Nieto

Nadine Melissa Nieto graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a law degree from Texas Southern University.

Nadine graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a law degree from Texas Southern University.

In 2022, Judge Nadine Nieto was elected Presiding Judge of the 285th District Court in Bexar County, a court of general jurisdiction, where she serves our community. Prior to her election to the bench, Judge Nieto had 27 years of experience as a litigator in Texas State District Courts, handling cases from inception through trial, and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Today, she serves as an officer to the organization.

Nadine previously worked as a litigator in Texas state district courts.

Nadine Melissa Nieto was first elected to the 285th District Court in 2022. She previously had a private law practice focused on personal injury and other cases. She has a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Nieto is unopposed in her bid for a second term.

Nadine Melissa Nieto | 2026 candidate for 285th District Court - San Antonio Report

Nadine currently serves as presiding judge of Bexar County's 285th District Court. She was first elected in 2022 and is seeking a second term.

Nadine Melissa Nieto | 2022 candidate for 285th District Court

Nadine Melissa Nieto  currently serves as presiding judge of Bexar County's 285th District Court. She was first elected in 2022 and is seeking a second term.

2026 Texas General Election

Previously litigated cases in Texas state district courts from filing through trial for 27 years, including while working in a private practice focused on personal injury cases.

- Previously litigated cases in Texas state district courts from filing through trial for 27 years, including while working in a private practice focused on personal injury cases.

Legal Experience

After learning of the appeal from a reporter, Nieto said Waldrip correctly concluded the county was obligated to fill a position that Commissioners Court had already approved.

“The trial court recognized that the county has already approved this position and is obligated to take action to fill this essential role,” Nieto said in a statement. “Prolonging the process and spending unnecessary taxpayer funds on attorneys' fees ultimately harms the community. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Bexar County appeals ruling in judges' staffing dispute

Judge Nieto presides over EAGLES Court, a therapeutic restorative foster care court in Bexar County. EAGLES Court was founded in 2020 to invest in teen boys between the ages of 14 to 18 who have been placed in foster care. The goal is to help them value who they are, find their strengths, and “soar”. EAGLES Court provides therapeutic care, case management, life skills training, programming, and mentoring to teenage boys in our community.

Calls for filling an approved court coordinator position, saying delays and legal fees harm the community.

Presides over EAGLES Court, a therapeutic restorative foster-care court for teenage boys in Bexar County.

- Calls for filling an approved court coordinator position, saying delays and legal fees harm the community.
- Presides over EAGLES Court, a therapeutic restorative foster-care court for teenage boys in Bexar County.

Judicial Administration

Here, it is a place where young people are encouraged, supported, and reminded of their own potential. “We want every child that’s in the foster program to see that a courtroom doesn’t have to be a place of fear,” said Judge Nadine Nieto of the 285th District Court.
“It can be a launch pad for their success.”

Pearls and Eagles Courts - San Antonio Woman

Wants foster-care youth to view courtrooms as places that can support their success.

- Wants foster-care youth to view courtrooms as places that can support their success.

Judicial Philosophy

Nieto was sued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2010 after they alleged she owed $101,580.20 in student loans and accrued interest. Nieto has also been the subject of multiple liens, tax lawsuits and court filings dating back to the late 1990s, the KSAT 12 Defenders found.

Nieto appealed the ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, records show.

Nieto said she agreed to drop the appeal later that year as part of a confidential settlement that required her to pay back around $78,000, about $30,000 less than what the amount she owed had ballooned to at that point.

Election 2022 results for 285th District Court Judge Democrat | KSAT

Faced a 2010 U.S. Attorney’s Office lawsuit alleging $101,580.20 in unpaid student loans and accrued interest.

- Faced a 2010 U.S. Attorney’s Office lawsuit alleging $101,580.20 in unpaid student loans and accrued interest.

Ethics & Conduct

As of July 22, 2026, Nadine Melissa Nieto’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Community Involvement

Nadine Melissa Nieto

- Presides over EAGLES Court, a therapeutic restorative foster-care court for teenage boys in Bexar County.

In 2022, Judge Nadine Nieto was elected Presiding Judge of the 285th District Court in Bexar County, a court of general jurisdiction, where she serves our community. Prior to her election to the bench, Judge Nieto had 27 years of experience as a litigator in Texas State District Courts, handling cases from inception through trial, and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Today, she serves as an officer to the organization. Judge Nieto is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received her J.D. from Texas Southern University.

About Judge Nadine Nieto

In 2022, Judge Nadine Nieto was elected Presiding Judge of the 285th District Court in Bexar County, a court of general jurisdiction, where she serves our community. Prior to her election to the bench, Judge Nieto had 27 years of experience as a litigator in Texas State District Courts, handling cases from inception through trial, and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Today, she serves as an officer to the organization. Judge Nieto is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received her J.D. from Texas Southern University.

The Honorable Nadine Melissa Nieto (D)
Last modified on: 03-09-2026 13:46:44

State District Judge(Bexar)
Entered Office: 01-2023
Term Ends: 12-31-2030
District: 285

The Honorable Nadine Melissa Nieto

The Honorable Nadine Melissa Nieto - Texas State Directory Online

Serves as presiding judge of Bexar County’s 285th District Court, which has general jurisdiction.

- Serves as presiding judge of Bexar County’s 285th District Court, which has general jurisdiction.
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Presides over EAGLES Court, a therapeutic, restorative foster-care court for boys ages 14–18 in Bexar County.

Nadine Nieto is from San Antonio, Texas. She has a bachelor 27s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from Texas Southern University. She and her husband have two sons.

Nadine is a judge for the 285th District Court in Bexar County. Before taking the bench, she worked as a litigator in Texas state district courts for 27 years.

Nadine is currently the presiding judge of the 285th District Court in Bexar County. She was elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term.

Nadine Nieto - KSAT

Has 27 years of experience as a litigator in Texas State District Courts, handling cases from inception through trial.

Buket Urgen

Mauricio Mendez

- 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. 