Saying Goodbye: Judge Garcia retires after more than 30 years of service
Spotlight: Judge Richard Garcia
The Honorable Judge Richard Garcia, associate judge for the 225th District Court here in Bexar County, ended his 33-year legal career at the Bexar County Children’s Court. He officially retired on April 30, 2021.
Judge Garcia received his Doctor of Juris from St. Mary’s University in 1979. After practicing law in the public sector for several years, he returned to public service as the Assistant District Attorney for Child Protective Services handling Child Abuse and Neglect cases in July 1988.
In February 1990, The Honorable Judge Richard Garcia was unanimously approved by the Bexar County District Judges and appointed as an Associate Judge, to handle Family law matters. In 2005, Judge Garcia was assigned to serve in the Bexar County Children’s Court. A position he considers both a calling and a privilege as he strived to bring justice to the most innocent of victims – the children.
His impact on the child welfare system will not soon be forgotten. Everyone that has had the privilege to work in his courtroom will miss his dedication, compassion, incredible humor and contagious smile. During his tenure he has sworn in hundreds of CASA Volunteers. His wisdom and words always seemed to inspire Volunteers to best advocate for the children. “His passion and calling shined through every word he spoke. There wasn’t one swearing in that he didn’t almost make me cry.” said Leticia Hernandez, VP of Recruitment and Training.
“Judge Garcia has always had a tremendous amount of respect for CASA, CASA recommendations and our overall mission.” said Dennis Ramsey, tenured CASA supervisor, “Even when our recommendations didn’t align, he was respectful and professional.” To Judge Garcia, every case that went through his court, was treated as if these were his own children, and that is exactly how he referred to them, “his kids”.
"He valued the information that CASA Volunteers were able to bring forth on their CASA court reports and he was always looking to see that his kids were thriving" recalls Allison Martinez, VP of Programs. Judge Garcia was constantly pushing everyone around him to seek the best for his kids. He was constantly asking the tough questions and ensuring that he had the most up to date information on his cases. He truly valued the information and insight that our Volunteers would bring to him through their court reports.
Today we pay tribute to his dedication, commitment, and professionalism. "We can only hope and pray that the next Judge to preside in Children's Court will show the empathy and love for the foster children we serve that was embodied in every decision Judge Garcia made "states Angela White, CASA CEO & President. The impacts he has made during his tenure are countless and his legacy will continue to influence everyone that works in the child welfare system.
In December 2023, CPS received a Priority One referral regarding a 2-year-old child named Katherine, who had been hospitalized after ingesting narcotics. Her mother, Jessica, admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamines at the time. Katherine later tested positive for amphetamines, prompting the Department to seek removal of both Katherine and her 4-year-old sister, Valerie. Their maternal grandmother expressed willingness to care for them but only if CPS became involved. CASA advocate Alfredo Concha was appointed to the case and immediately took action. He contacted the grandparents and met with the children. During that visit, he learned that while the grandparents were willing to provide temporary care, they could not commit beyond December 2024. They had already adopted the girls' older sibling, which kept them busy, and as elderly caregivers, they felt unable to raise two young children long-term. They made it clear—either Jessica would have to get her life back on track by December, or the girls would need another placement. Understanding the urgency, Alfredo used Collaborative Family Engagement tools to seek additional family members who could offer support. He built a strong working relationship with Jessica, which proved invaluable. Through collaboration with Jessica, the grandparents, CPS, and the children's attorney, Alfredo identified and addressed barriers to reunification. A primary concern was Jessica’s history of substance abuse and the risk of relapse. After completing inpatient drug treatment, Jessica chose to move in with her ex-boyfriend, Robert, and his mother, Marie. Given Robert’s history of substance abuse and their previously volatile relationship, Alfredo recommended that Robert participate in services to strengthen their family dynamic. This included undergoing a substance abuse assessment, engaging in treatment, and completing a domestic violence prevention program. Alfredo also ensured Robert and Marie were included in planning meetings. During one of these meetings, Marie expressed her willingness to take in the children and committed to caring for them regardless of Jessica and Robert’s relationship. With this new support system in place, the girls were able to return to Jessica on December 3, 2024. CPS and Alfredo closely monitored the placement for several weeks to ensure stability. By January 2025, Alfredo recommended case closure, allowing the family to move forward with their lives. During the final hearing, Jessica addressed the court, expressing her gratitude. She stated that without the support of CPS and Alfredo, she would not have been able to succeed.
Larry Rushing
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