Judge Vasquez-Gardner was appointed on September 1, 2000 by then-Governor Bush to be the Judge of the 399th District Court, which presides over primarily criminal matters. She was subsequently elected to the position by Bexar County voters on November 7, 2000. Judge Vasquez-Gardner obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law; earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at San Antonio; and graduated from Robert G. Cole Jr.-Sr. High School in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Prior to becoming a judge, Judge Vasquez-Gardner was an Assistant District Attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office for almost eleven years. She was assigned to various sections including Misdemeanor, Family Violence, Felony, Juvenile, and Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force. During her stint as a prosecutor, she tried in excess of 100 jury trials, including Aggravated Robberies, Murders, and Capital Murders.
Judge Vasquez-Gardner has presided over countless cases while she has been on the bench, including five Capital Murders. Statistics compiled by the Bexar County District Clerk’s Office indicate that for the year 2003, her court had the lowest number of pending active cases and the highest number of pleas among the criminal district courts. She considers it extremely important to treat the litigants and their clients with respect; to listen attentively; and to rule according to the law. She enjoys the reputation of being a hard working, even tempered, and reasonable judge.
On August 22, 2003, President George W. Bush appointed Judge Vasquez-Gardner to the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation Board of Trustees; the Board oversees scholarships that are awarded to college juniors who plan to attend graduate school and pursue careers in public service. She considers it a privilege and an obligation of her office to speak to youth groups throughout the county and views her appointment to the Board as an opportunity to effectuate that objective.
Judge Vasquez-Gardner has been married for 15 years; she and her husband have a 9-year-old son, whom they consider the light of their lives.