Christine Dauphin Hernández is passionate about helping people. As a child, she often accompanied her mother to work, and learned the value of community service and community leadership. In 1987, her mother, the late Jo Ann Dauphin Moore, was recruited by former Mayor Henry Cisneros as the first Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of San Antonio. Although time was cut short by her sudden passing in 1997, the impression she made on Christine was tremendous. She left a great legacy and one which she strives to live up to as a mother and public servant. She understands that for many people like herself, life can be challenging at times, but believes it is what we do in those challenging times that defines us. She looks at all of the things in life that might bring someone down, as tools of strength and character building. Losing her mother at a young age gave Christine maturity, divorce gave her understanding and courage, and being a single mother gave her compassion. All of these life experiences shaped her into the judge that she was at Municipal Court and the mother, wife, and lawyer that she is today.
"I truly believe that everyone deserves a second chance. Let's work through this difficult time together."
Academically, Christine began her career in law in Louisiana, receiving a law degree from Tulane University. After being admitted to the bar in Texas, she spent a dozen years known as Judge Lacy working as a City Municipal Judge and Criminal Magistrate Judge in San Antonio.
She viewed her role as judge as one that is necessarily complemented by active involvement in community service activities. Christine is a board member for Girls Inc. of San Antonio, and has served as a workplace mentor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and a member of Texas Lawyers For Children. She volunteers with the Bexar County Domestic Violence Task Force and is a commissioner for the City of San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. Additionally, she takes pride in affiliations with the San Antonio branch of the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Throughout her entire career, she has believed that people deserve the opportunity to resolve situations that have led to their arrest outside of jail when possible. Even when facing serious criminal charges, there are often alternative sentencing approaches and rehabilitation programs that can offer accountability AND the chance to redirect one’s life. She brings the same passion for encouraging rehabilitation to her law practice and subscribes to a brand of restorative and therapeutic justice focused on preserving and restoring the client’s dignity and self-worth. However, when justice requires that the case be dismissed, she will not shy away from a fight in court to ensure that your rights and freedoms are preserved.
Education
Bar Admissions
Professional Associations
Girls Inc. of San Antonio, Board Member, 2013-2022
Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Workplace Mentor
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Member
Texas Lawyers for Children, Member
Bexar County Domestic Violence Task Force, Volunteer
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association, Member
City of San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, Former Commissioner
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Member
NAACP, San Antonio Branch, Member
San Antonio Black Lawyers Association, Member
Awards
Xavier University of Louisiana 40 Under 40
2019 Bexar County Judicial Champions Honoree (NAACP, San Antonio Branch)
Top Female Lawyer 2020
Scene In S.A. 2021 - San Antonio Best Female Lawyer
Scene In S.A. 2021 - Best Criminal Defense Lawyer
Scene in S.A. 2022 - Best Criminal Defense Lawyer
Certified Legal Specialties
