---
title: "Vanessa Rae Flores | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/vanessa-rae-flores"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Vanessa Rae Flores

Edinburg Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Edinburg Municipal Court
- State: Texas
- Role: Municipal Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### limited criminal remote appearance

Scope: statewide

For the specific fine-and-cost hearings governed by Articles 45A.258 and 45A.259, a justice or municipal judge may allow a defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference when an in-person appearance would impose undue hardship.

Evidence excerpt: If the justice or judge determines that requiring a defendant to appear before the justice or judge in person for a hearing under Article 45A.258 or 45A.259 would impose an undue hardship on the defendant, the justice or judge may allow the defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference.

[Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx)
- [Official roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx)
- [Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx)
- [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The first female associate municipal judge for the City of Edinburg, Texas, appointed in December 2024 to handle traffic tickets, bond hearings, and other municipal court matters when elected Judge Hector Bustos is unavailable
- Former Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office prosecutor; later co‐founded The Law Office of Flores & Dietz with her sister, Desirae Dietz, in 2013
- She now holds the same powers and authorities as Judge Bustos, ensuring continuity in municipal court proceedings

### Education

- J.D. in May 2013 from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

### Additional information

- Practice areas: Criminal, family, immigration, juvenile, and personal injury law.
- Current firm: The Law Office of Vanessa Rae Flores, PLLC, based in Edinburg, TX.
- The Edinburg City Council unanimously appointed Flores after months of debate over whether the council could appoint associate judges without the sitting judge’s input.
- Appointed to address Judge Bustos’ frequent court absences, which had prompted public and council concern.
- Her swearing‐in was performed by her husband, Judge Kino Flores, making her the first female judge in the city’s municipal court.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7a6578736340dbebb75e89c7) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0fa5a7f51969f3609de00053) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.45A.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.