Isabel Arias pleads; judge defers felony finding and sentences misdemeanor to 171 days

Isabel Arias pleaded in Bexar County court to charges that included injury to a child and assault, the judge said, deferring a finding on the felony count while accepting a guilty verdict and imposing 171 days in jail on a related misdemeanor.

The judge called the case, asked Arias to come forward and confirmed that defense counsel Christopher Ramos had reviewed discovery. Ramos told the court he had discussed defenses with his client and believed she was competent to proceed. "I did," Ramos said when asked whether he had reviewed the discovery and discussed it with Arias.

According to the court’s recitation, the injury-to-a-child allegation (a third-degree felony) carries a punishment range of two to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000; the lesser-included assault bodily injury offense is a Class A misdemeanor with a possible term of up to one year in the Bexar County Jail and a fine up to $4,000. The judge explained that if deferred adjudication on the felony count were later revoked, the defendant could face the full statutory sentence.

After the court accepted State exhibits and stipulated testimony, the judge said there was sufficient evidence to find Arias guilty in each cause number. The court deferred a finding of guilt in cause number 2025CR011859 because Arias had applied for deferred adjudication; for the other cause number the court found her guilty and sentenced her to 171 days in the Bexar County Jail with credit for time served.

The judge also announced an affirmative finding of family violence and ordered no contact with Ilana Hernandez, Stacy Hernandez and Florencia Plache. The court advised that, with that finding, the defendant was prohibited from possessing weapons or ammunition and could not be designated the primary custodial parent.

Defense counsel and the court discussed whether to order a presentence investigation (PSI) and TAP evaluation or to waive the PSI and set the case for a January hearing. The judge said a PSI would take eight to 12 weeks; Ramos formally waived the PSI so the matter could be returned sooner. The court set a follow-up hearing for Jan. 26 to allow both sides to call witnesses and present additional materials.

The judge reviewed the defendant’s waiver of appeal and confirmed that by entering the plea, Arias gave up the right to a jury trial and to confront witnesses. The judge closed the hearing with routine scheduling and holiday remarks and adjourned the court.

The record shows the state opposed Arias’s applications for deferred adjudication in at least one cause number and that sentencing on the misdemeanor was pronounced as 171 days with credit for time served; the deferred-adjudication application remains under consideration with a follow-up date set for January.