Judge Jose A. Lopez grew up and went to school in Zapata, Texas. He is married to Alma Perez, a Laredo College Business Management Instructor, and is the father of twins, Carisa and Alejandro. Since taking the bench fourteen years ago, Judge Lopez has presided at over two hundred criminal and civil trials in both Webb and Zapata Counties and has disposed on average 2000 cases a year since taking office. While on the bench, Judge Lopez has been selected by the Court of Criminal Appeals to represent the trial judges of Texas as an ASTAR court judge. ASTAR’s membership selects judges from across the country for special evidence and technology training. In addition, Judge Lopez has served as a Director to the State Bar’s Judicial Section and is currently a Commissioner to the Texas Access to Justice Commission.