2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

Leah Shapiro has a bachelor 27s degree in philosophy from New York University and a law degree from St. Mary 27s School of Law. 

Leah Shapiro - Ballotpedia

Leah Shapiro | BallotReady

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Leah Shapiro previously lived in New York. She earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from New York University and a law degree from St. Mary's School of Law. Leah lives in Houston, Texas.

Leah is a judge for the Texas 315th District Court. She previously worked as an assistant district attorney for Harris County, an attorney in private law practice, and a juvenile division attorney for the Public Defender's Office.

Judicial Q&A: Judge Leah Shapiro | Off the Kuff

315 th Juvenile Court

Leah previously worked as an assistant district attorney at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, an attorney in private law practice, and an assistant attorney in the Harris County Public Defender's Office's Juvenile Division.

Leah is currently a judge of the Texas 315th District Court. She was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. 

Leah currently serves as the judge of the Texas 315th District Court. She was first elected in 2018 and is in her second term. 

With over 10 years in juvenile justice and 15 years of public service in Harris County, Shapiro has experience as a judge, public defender, and prosecutor, focusing on improving practices for children and families involved in the justice system.

As a municipal court judge in the Texas 315th District Court for eight years, handles juvenile delinquency and dependency cases, along with Court 360, focused on juvenile mental health, and Creating Acceptance Recovery Empowerment Court, focused on juvenile sex trafficking.

As an assistant district attorney at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

As a Juvenile Division public defender in the Harris County Public Defender's Office for seven years, provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney within the GIRLS Court focused on human trafficking.

- As a municipal court judge in the Texas 315th District Court for eight years, handles juvenile delinquency and dependency cases, along with Court 360, focused on juvenile mental health, and Creating Acceptance Recovery Empowerment Court, focused on juvenile sex trafficking.
- As an assistant district attorney at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.
- As a Juvenile Division public defender in the Harris County Public Defender's Office for seven years, provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney within the GIRLS Court focused on human trafficking.

Legal Experience

Harris County juvenile judges and private attorneys accused of ...

Implemented the only Dual Status Docket in Harris County to address the needs of youth involved in both the juvenile justice system and CPS, ensuring collaboration among stakeholders and accountability for agencies.

For Candidate Leah Shapiro on Issue judicial-administration: Reduced the active case docket by half in dependency matters, efficiently handling new cases and addressing the backlog, resulting in timely resolutions for families and quicker connections for children with their forever families.

Reduced the active case docket by half in dependency matters, efficiently handling new cases and addressing the backlog, resulting in timely resolutions for families and quicker connections for children with their forever families.

For Candidate Leah Shapiro on Issue judicial-administration:  
Responsible steward of Harris County tax dollars, leading Juvenile District Courts in appointments to the Public Defender’s Office.

Stewarded of Harris County tax dollars, leading Juvenile District Courts in appointments to the Public Defender’s Office.

Opposed legal representation of kids being compromised by cases being directed from public defenders to private lawyers.

- Implemented the only Dual Status Docket in Harris County to address the needs of youth involved in both the juvenile justice system and CPS, ensuring collaboration among stakeholders and accountability for agencies.
- Reduced the active case docket by half in dependency matters, efficiently handling new cases and addressing the backlog, resulting in timely resolutions for families and quicker connections for children with their forever families.
- Stewarded of Harris County tax dollars, leading Juvenile District Courts in appointments to the Public Defender’s Office.
- Opposed legal representation of kids being compromised by cases being directed from public defenders to private lawyers.

Judicial Administration

For Candidate Leah Shapiro on Issue judicial-philosophy:  
Aims to ensure dignity and respect in the courtroom by ending the practice of indiscriminate shackling of detained youth.

Ended the practice of indiscriminate shackling of detained youth, to promote "the same dignity and respect" for everyone in the courtroom.

- Ended the practice of indiscriminate shackling of detained youth, to promote "the same dignity and respect" for everyone in the courtroom.

Judicial Philosophy

As of July 22, 2026, Leah Shapiro’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

About Us • Juvenile Board

Serves on the Harris County Juvenile Board, required to establish a county juvenile probation department, employ a chief probation officer, adopt a budget and establish policies, control conditions and terms of detention and detention supervision, and personally inspect each facility of the department.

- Serves on the Harris County Juvenile Board, required to establish a county juvenile probation department, employ a chief probation officer, adopt a budget and establish policies, control conditions and terms of detention and detention supervision, and personally inspect each facility of the department.

Community Involvement

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Leah Shapiro

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

Maria is an attorney in private law practice. She works at the Harris County Attorney's Office as a solo practitioner.

Find A Lawyer | Maria Valeria Lee Brock - State Bar of Texas

Maria Valeria Brock - Ballotpedia

Maria Valeria Brock previously ran for judge of the Texas 315th District Court in 2022 but did not win.

As an attorney, worked in areas such as alternative dispute resolution, business, family, commercial litigation, wills, trusts, probate, and juvenile law.

- As an attorney, worked in areas such as alternative dispute resolution, business, family, commercial litigation, wills, trusts, probate, and juvenile law.

As of July 22, 2026, Maria Valeria Brock did not have a website or any information online.

Maria Valeria Brock

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 

Texas District Judge, District 315

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement