Most people don’t think about judges until they’re standing in front of one. By then, it’s too late to ask basic questions. What does this judge actually decide? How much power do they have? And what happens when that power is used poorly?
In this episode of So You Got Arrested, BRCK Criminal Defense attorneys talk about how district court judges quietly shape outcomes long before a jury ever hears a case with Stephanie Franco, a longtime felony prosecutor running for the 187th District Court in Bexar County.
This blog is drawn from real conversations on So You Got Arrested, the criminal defense podcast hosted by BRCK Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Wherever you tune in, you’ll hear honest conversations about the Texas justice system from the people who see it up close.
What a Bexar County District Court Judge Actually Does
District court is where felony cases live. That includes serious drug offenses, family violence, sexual assault, robbery, and murder. These are the courts where people can be sentenced to decades in prison. Judges in these courts control far more than trial dates.
A district court judge decides:
- How bond conditions are enforced
- What evidence gets heard and when
- Whether victims are protected or exposed
- How much discretion is given to rehabilitation versus punishment
For defendants and victims alike, the judge sets the tone of the courtroom.
Why District Court Power Is Different From Other Courts
County courts handle misdemeanors. District courts handle life-altering cases.
As one of the hosts explains, this is where “big consequences” happen. Prison sentences. Permanent felony records. Long-term separation from family. Because the stakes are higher, judicial discretion carries more weight. A judge who treats cases as numbers can do lasting harm. A judge who understands context can prevent it.
From Defending Juveniles to Prosecuting Felonies
Before becoming a prosecutor, Franco worked as a juvenile public defender. That experience shaped how she views the system.
In juvenile court, the goal isn’t punishment, it’s rehabilitation. Kids are treated as individuals with families, backgrounds, and the ability to change. That philosophy doesn’t always survive the transition into adult felony court. Franco says her time as a defender taught her something many career prosecutors never learn: seeing the person before the charge.
When Franco talks about being a prosecutor, she draws a clear line. “My job is to seek justice, not seek convictions,” she says. That distinction matters more than it sounds like it should.
Seeking convictions is about winning. Seeking justice is about doing the right thing, even when it’s unpopular, even when it means dismissing a case or offering help instead of punishment. That mindset is rare. And it becomes critical when someone moves from prosecutor to judge.
What Juvenile Court Gets Right That Felony Court Often Misses
In juvenile court, every respondent is assigned a probation officer immediately. Their home life is examined. Their needs are identified. The system asks why before deciding what now.
Adult felony court often skips that step– some cases become cause numbers. Franco argues that district court judges don’t need to turn felony court into juvenile court. But they do need to remember that rehabilitation and accountability are not opposites.
When Courtrooms Become Content
One of the central issues in this conversation is the practice of broadcasting district court proceedings on YouTube. The current judge in the 187th District Court records and uploads proceedings, including victim testimony. These videos are later clipped, monetized, and shared across social media.
Franco explains the problem plainly. Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault already carry shame and fear. Broadcasting their testimony forces them to choose between privacy and justice. That choice should never exist.
Open Courts vs. Public Spectacle
Texas courts are open to the public. Franco supports that. But open courts do not require permanent online archives of private trauma.
There is a difference between transparency and exploitation. News coverage of matters of public safety is one thing. Turning felony court into viral content is another. As Franco points out, defendants are presumed innocent. But once their face is online, the court of public opinion has already decided.
Why Judicial Discretion Matters More Than Ever
Judges don’t just rule on objections. They control the atmosphere. They decide:
- Whether victims feel safe speaking
- Whether defendants are treated as humans
- Whether the courtroom remains serious or becomes performative
Discretion isn’t about being lenient or harsh. It’s about knowing when restraint is required.
What This Conversation Reveals About District Court Judges
This episode makes one thing clear: district court judges shape lives long before verdicts are reached. They decide how justice feels. They decide whether the courtroom is a place of dignity or exposure.
Understanding that power matters, whether someone ever votes in this race or not. Because for anyone who enters felony court, the judge matters as much as the law.