Cynthia Marie Chapa graduated from St. Mary’s University in 2002 with a B.A. in Political Science and St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2006 with a Juris Doctorate. She was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in April 2007. She earned a pro-bono certificate for clinical work at the Center for Legal and Social Justice Immigration Clinic. As a Student Attorney, she represented clients before the Immigration Court and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service.

288th Civil District Court | Bexar County, TX - Official Website

Cynthia Marie Chapa earned a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Mary’s University and a law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Cynthia Marie Chapa received her law degree from St. Mary’s University and practiced law for 15 years in the areas of criminal, personal injury, real estate, business law, civil litigation and family law. She was first elected to the 288th Criminal District Court in 2018 and is unopposed in her bid for a third term.

Cynthia Marie Chapa | 2026 candidate for 288th District Court - San Antonio Report

She received the Leos Award for Excellence in Clinical Work in 2006. From May 2007 to December 2011, she was a partner in the Law Offices of Arellano and Chapa. In 2011 Cynthia left the partnership and went out on her own.

Cynthia worked with state issues serving as State Representative Joaquin Castro and State Representative Justin Rodriguez's District Director from 2003 to 2017. During her time with the state she helped parents collect child support from errant parents; organized book drive (now known as the SA Reads book drive) to raise thousands of books for local schools, arranged clothing drives to benefit the San Antonio Children’s Shelter, SAM Shelter and various other shelter’s across San Antonio, she organized neighbors to bring them together to have a voice in local and state government; and helped draft and pass legislation.

Cynthia previously practiced law in criminal, personal injury, real estate, business, civil litigation, and family law. She was a partner at the Law Offices of Arellano and Chapa and served as district director for State Representatives Joaquin Castro and Justin Rodriguez.

Cynthia Marie Chapa | 2024 candidate 4th Court of Appeals Place 3

Cynthia was first elected to the 288th Criminal District Court in 2018.

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Practiced law for 15 years in criminal, personal injury, real estate, business, civil litigation, and family law.

Served as a partner in the Law Offices of Arellano and Chapa from May 2007 through December 2011.

- Practiced law for 15 years in criminal, personal injury, real estate, business, civil litigation, and family law.
- Served as a partner in the Law Offices of Arellano and Chapa from May 2007 through December 2011.

Legal Experience

As of July 22, 2026, Cynthia Marie Chapa’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Cynthia worked with state issues serving as State Representative Joaquin Castro and State Representative Justin Rodriguez's District Director from 2003 to 2017. During her time with the state she helped parents collect child support from errant parents; organized book drive (now known as the SA Reads book drive) to raise thousands of books for local schools, arranged clothing drives to benefit the San Antonio Children’s Shelter, SAM Shelter and various other shelter’s across San Antonio, she organized neighbors to bring them together to have a voice in local and state government; and helped draft and pass legislation. Her dedication to community has not wavered.

In recent years she has helped organized the district health and job fairs, the Families Helping Families and Profiles in Change events. Cynthia Marie Chapa decided to run for the 288th Civil District Court in 2017 because she sincerely believes that we are all called to serve in one way or another and that this would be her contribution to the Bexar County Community.

Helped parents collect child support from nonpaying parents.

Organized the SA Reads book drive, collecting thousands of books for local schools.

Arranged clothing drives benefiting the San Antonio Children’s Shelter, SAM Shelter, and other San Antonio shelters.

Organized neighbors to give them a voice in local and state government.

Helped organize district health and job fairs.

Helped organize Families Helping Families and Profiles in Change events.

- Helped parents collect child support from nonpaying parents.
- Organized the SA Reads book drive, collecting thousands of books for local schools.
- Arranged clothing drives benefiting the San Antonio Children’s Shelter, SAM Shelter, and other San Antonio shelters.
- Organized neighbors to give them a voice in local and state government.
- Helped organize district health and job fairs.
- Helped organize Families Helping Families and Profiles in Change events.

Community Involvement

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Cynthia Marie Chapa

- Served as a partner in the Law Offices of Arellano and Chapa from May 2007 through December 2011.

Cynthia is from San Antonio, Texas. She attended St. Mary’s University and St. Mary’s University School of Law. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Mary’s University and a juris doctor degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

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Cynthia Marie Chapa is currently a judge of the Texas 288th Civil District Court. She was first elected to this position in November 2018 and is serving her second term.

Candidate Spotlight: Judge Cynthia Marie Chapa

Graduated from St. Mary's University with a B.A. in Political Science in 2002 and a law degree in 2006, earning a pro-bono certificate for clinical work at the Center for Legal and Social Justice Immigration Clinic.

Organized book and clothing drives, helped parents collect child support, and facilitated community health and job fairs.

Cynthia Marie Chapa is from San Antonio, Texas. She has a bachelor 27s degree in political science and a law degree from St. Mary 27s University. 

Cynthia is a district court judge. She previously worked as a partner at the Law Offices of Arellano and Chapa from 2007 to 2011. She also opened her own law firm in 2007 and ran it until she was elected judge in 2018. She also served as a district director for state representatives Joaquin Castro and Justin Rodriguez from 2003 to 2017.

Cynthia is currently a district court judge for the 288th District Court. She was first elected in 2018 and is currently serving her second term.

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- 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. 