About
༻Meet Mary Ann༺
Judge Espiritu has served as the presiding judge of County Court at Law #5 since January, 2023. She previously worked as a defense attorney in private practice and prior to that, as a Staff Attorney for the Texas Department of Public Safety. She has been licensed to practice law since 2001.
Judge Espiritu currently serves on the committee that spearheads the Travis County Counsel at first Appearance (CAFA). CAFA signifies a critical stage in the legal process, especially regarding the pretrial justice and the potential for pretrial incarceration. It is the point where a person formally appears before a judge after being arrested, and it is often a point where critical decisions, like bail and release conditions, are made. Having legal representation at this stage is significant because it can ensure that individuals who are accused of crimes understand their rights, can challenge the basis for detention, and can advocate for their release or less restrictive conditions.
Mary Ann grew up in southeast Texas. A proud daughter of immigrants from the Philippines, she moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas and has called it home ever since. She lives downtown with her dogs, Abby and Benny and can often be found at local festivals, live music shows, and neighborhood events.
“Since taking the bench, I’ve worked every day to ensure that County Court at Law #5 is a place where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. I’ve brought my decades of experience as a defense attorney and community advocate to the courtroom, making sure that justice is accessible and equal for all.”
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༻Decades of Dedication༺
Before her election, Mary Ann spent over 20 years practicing law, most recently as a partner in her own firm, where she worked as a defense attorney. She also served as legal counsel for the Texas Department of Public Safety and has received several awards from the Austin Chronicle.
As Judge, Mary Ann champions diversion programs and supports people on the path to recovery. She has made sure that people who come before the court are seen as individuals and more than just their case number. Her dedication to the community is evident in her track record. She has served on the board of a nonprofit collaborative organization in Austin, Texas, formed to provide a network of compassionate, community-based, person-centered care for individuals impacted by substance use disorders. As such, she remains deeply connected to the recovery community.
As a defense lawyer, Mary Ann offered free legal representation to protesters who were detained during protests against police brutality. She has served on the boards of multiple local advocacy organizations and earned recognition as the Travis County Democratic Party’s “Precinct Chair of the Year” in 2020.