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Jennifer Peña earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law.

Jennifer Peña is currently running for a seat on the bench in the 290thDistrict Court of Bexar County . As a former juvenile detention officer, Peña advocates for proper rehabilitative justice, allowing non-violent, juvenile offenders to receive a second chance from the court. It was because of this experience that Peña chose to run for office.

Jennifer Peña: “We should be giving folks more than one chance.” - Lone Star Parity Project

Jennifer Peña previously worked as a juvenile detention officer.

Jennifer Peña: "We should be giving folks more than one chance."

290th Criminal District Court
Judge Jennifer Pena (D)
Ph: 210-335-2696
Term: 4 Years
Expires: 2026
290th Criminal District Court Website

District Courts

She hopes to transform the way her community views non-violent offenders, believing that 290thDistrict Court does not currently make a positive impact on its constituents, stating “we could do better; the criminal justice system could do better.” This isn’t the first time Peña has approached this issue; she ran for the same seat on the bench four years ago but was unsuccessful. Now she has come back, fighting harder than ever for the same purpose: giving folks a second chance.

Jennifer currently serves as judge of the 290th Criminal District Court in Bexar County; her four-year term expires in 2026. She previously ran for the same seat but was unsuccessful.

Criminal District Courts | Bexar County, TX - Official Website

Jennifer has served as judge of the 290th Criminal District Court in Bexar County since 2019.

2026 Texas General Election

Previously worked as a juvenile detention officer before seeking judicial office.

As a judge on the 290th Criminal District Court, sentenced a defendant who pleaded guilty to 18 years—the negotiated maximum sentence.

On the morning of the trial, the Defendant elected to change his plea to “guilty” and elected to have his punishment assessed by the court. The parties negotiated a punishment range of 5–18 years in prison, and the case was set for sentencing. Despite his plea of “guilty,” the Defendant refused to accept responsibility during both his pre-sentence interview and at the sentencing hearing. After hearing from the victim, the Defendant’s mother and aunt, Judge Pena called the Defendant “dangerous” and sentenced him to the negotiated maximum sentence of 18 years.

Paxton Secures 18-year Prison Sentence for Dangerous Repeat Sex Offender

Serves as a judge on Bexar County's 290th Criminal District Court, presiding over cases within the court's jurisdiction and issuing rulings and orders.

- Serves as a judge on Bexar County's 290th Criminal District Court, presiding over cases within the court's jurisdiction and issuing rulings and orders.

Legal Experience

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

Judicial Administration

Defendants these issues with them into the courts and probation, allowing them to complete deferred programs but ending up as felons when they don’t fully succeed. Peña says, “we need to do a better job of trying to help young people complete these steps. It could be the first time they are given structure – they don’t know how to deal with that.” She wants to decrease the number of people entering society with felonies on their records, especially young offenders.

Advocates for better support to help young people complete deferred-program and probation requirements.

- Advocates for better support to help young people complete deferred-program and probation requirements.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Jennifer Pena

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

Jennifer Peña

- Serves as a judge on Bexar County's 290th Criminal District Court, presiding over cases within the court's jurisdiction and issuing rulings and orders.
- As a judge on the 290th Criminal District Court, sentenced a defendant who pleaded guilty to 18 years—the negotiated maximum sentence.

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

Jennifer Peña is from San Antonio, Texas. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Texas.

Texas judicial district 290 - Ballotpedia

AG Paxton Applauds 5th Circuit Opinion Upholding Legal Standards ...

Before taking the bench, Jennifer worked as a community organizer and served on the San Antonio City Council. She also previously served as a Texas state representative for District 77 from 2013 to 2015. 

Jennifer is currently a judge on the 290th Criminal District Court. Previously, she served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015. She ran for re-election in 2014 but did not win.

Received a political science degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Buket Urgen

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. 