Cynthia Marie Chapa at a glance
- Current role
- District Judge, Bexar County 288th Civil District Court
- Court
- Texas 288th District Court
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Cynthia Marie Chapa
District Judge, Bexar County 288th Civil District Court · Texas 288th District Court
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- Practitioner, The Chapa Law Firm, San Antonio, TX, 2011-2018
- Partner, Law Offices of Arellano and Chapa, 2007-2011
- Pro Bono Attorney, Immigration Clinic, Center for Legal and Social Justice, TX, 2006-2007
- District Director, Office of the State Representative Joaquin Castro, TX, 2003-2017
Judicial service
- Presiding Judge, Texas 288th Judicial District Court, TX, 2019-2022
Education
- St Mary's University · Political Science, 2002
Courtroom rules and guidance
Courtroom Technology
Bexar County publishes operating guidance for courtroom presentation equipment, including V Cart displays, BARCO wireless casting, ELMO document cameras, and audio or video playback.
Upgraded equipment is in all courtrooms in the Bexar County Courthouse including civil, criminal, probate, county, and district courts.Bexar County Courtrooms Technology & Equipment Guide ↗
Audio Video And Exhibits
The guide recommends using the ELMO to publish pictures and the V Cart or courtroom CPU for video and audio playback, while warning counsel not to display work product or evidence not yet admitted.
Any videos or audio recordings play better on the V Cart/ CPU.Bexar County Courtrooms Technology & Equipment Guide ↗
Pretrial Trial Materials
For an assigned jury trial, motions in limine, proposed jury charges, and motions concerning party alignment or peremptory strikes must be delivered to all parties by noon on the last business day before trial.
Motions in Limine, proposed Jury Charges, and motions to realign parties or equalize peremptory strikes must be delivered to all parties by noon on the last business day before the trial date.Bexar County Civil District Court Local Rules ↗
Civil Remote Appearances
In civil district and county court proceedings, the court may permit or require electronic participation after appropriate notice; compelled electronic participation for oral-testimony proceedings requires good cause or party agreement, and a jury trial requires party agreement.
Upon appropriate notice by a party or the court, a court may allow or require a participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means, except as otherwise provided in (2).Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗
Civil Recording And Broadcasting
Civil district and county trial courts may permit courtroom recording or broadcasting only under Supreme Court guidelines, with the required party and witness consent, or for ceremonial proceedings.
A trial court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing of proceedings in the courtroom only in the following circumstances:Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings ↗
Sources
CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · checked August 2, 2026
https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15555/cynthia-marie-chapa/Bexar County 288th Civil District Court official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 28, 2026
https://www.bexar.org/1793/288th-Civil-District-CourtTexas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdfTexas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdfBexar County Courtrooms Technology & Equipment Guide
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 28, 2026
https://www.bexar.org/DocumentCenter/View/31807/Courtroom-Technology--Equipment-GuideBexar County Civil District Court Local Rules
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 28, 2026
https://www.bexar.org/DocumentCenter/View/55973/Bexar-County-Civil-District-Court-Local-Rules