What She Did Think is Unthinkable — Still Thought She'd Walk Free | Judge Boyd SLAMS Her Hard

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]Did you understand? By pleading true to violation of condition number one, the court could grant the motion, find it true, and sentence you up to four years uh in the prison.

[00:00:10]>> Welcome to the Court of Justice.

[00:00:14]>> Calling 2025 CR0000744 State versus Jennifer Amber Tjo Hernandez. Can I have parties announce?

[00:00:26]>> Warren Wolf or Miss Tjo? Are you Miss uh Tjo Hernandez?

[00:00:31]Did you review the motion to revoke community supervision with your attorney? Did you understand it?

[00:00:36]>> Yes, sir.

[00:00:38]>> Are you the same Jennifer Amber Tjo Hernandez who was placed on community supervision in 2025 CR 0000744 for the offense of harassment of a public servant on March 4th, 2025 for a term of 5 years. Is that you?

[00:00:55]State >> violated condition number one honor about the 16th day of February 2026 in bar passage the defendant Jennifer Amber Tjo Hernandez committed the offense of robbery in a violation >> how do you plead to that true or not true >> that's true judge >> I'm asking your client how she pleads to it >> all right and and um yes so you're pleading Yes, >> all right. Did you understand by pleading true to violation of condition number one, the court could grant the motion, find it true, and sentence you up to four years uh in the prison?

[00:01:38]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:01:38]>> Knowing that, do you still wish plead true to violation of condition number one?

[00:01:42]>> Yes, >> all right. The court will find violation of condition number one true. State, what are you requesting? First judge, we are reading the remaining alleged conditions and state is requesting that you deny state's motion continue but alter an amend for state ISF cognitive trap followed by esper.

[00:02:02]>> Okay, >> that's our understanding. Judge, >> are you asking the court to follow that?

[00:02:09]>> Yes, please.

[00:02:10]>> Right to appeal.

[00:02:12]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:02:13]>> All right. The court is finding violation of condition number one true.

[00:02:17]The court is going to deny the motion, alter and amend conditions and probation.

[00:02:26]The first thing I would like is a referral to Espironza court and then if Espironza court decides to do ISF, then they can do ISF.

[00:02:40]>> Yes. If she's not well, if she's not accepted into Espironza court, uh, then ISF.

[00:02:57]>> All right. Next, we're moving on to 2026 CR00006318.

[00:03:06]Council, you received all discovery. Did you review it with your client? Yes.

[00:03:11]>> Court will find that the state is in compliance with discovery. Miss Tjo, did you review Tjo Hernandez, did you review the application for community supervision with your attorney? Did you understand it and sign it?

[00:03:22]>> Yes, sir.

[00:03:23]>> Did you review the true bill of indictment with your attorney? Did you understand it?

[00:03:27]>> Yes, sir.

[00:03:28]>> Council, do you wave the reading?

[00:03:30]>> Yes, judge.

[00:03:31]>> State, are you proceeding as presented?

[00:03:33]Yes, sir.

[00:03:34]>> With the enhancement? No, >> not the enhancement, but just the underlying.

[00:03:37]>> Any objection?

[00:03:38]>> No.

[00:03:40]Did you review the court admonishments with your attorney? Did you understand it and sign it in all the appropriate places?

[00:03:47]>> Yes, sir.

[00:03:48]>> You're charged with robbery. That's a secondderee felony. The range of punishment is anywhere from 2 to 20 years in the prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If you have a plea with the state, the court does not have to follow your plea. If the court does not follow your plea and gives you more than you bargain for, the fact that you entered a plea will not be used against you and you will be allowed to withdraw your plea.

[00:04:08]You have a right to jury trial, a right for you or your attorney to cross-examine and confront any witnesses the state would call, and the right to remain silent. By entering this plea, you're giving up those rights. Did you intend to give up those rights and enter into a plea in this case?

[00:04:22]>> Yes, sir.

[00:04:23]>> Council, has your client been able to provide you with any defenses?

[00:04:28]>> She has.

[00:04:29]>> Do you believe she has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the charges against her?

[00:04:34]>> Yes. Do you believe she's currently competent and was legally sane at the time of the offense?

[00:04:40]>> Yes.

[00:04:41]>> Has anyone threatened you, coerced you, or placed you in fear to get you to enter this plea?

[00:04:46]>> Anyone promised you anything other than the plea?

[00:04:49]>> Are you satisfied with the way you've been represented?

[00:04:52]>> Yes, sir.

[00:04:52]>> If you're not a US citizen, uh, you could be def well, you will be deported, denied naturalization, and re-entry. Did you understand?

[00:05:02]>> Yes, sir. Court will find that defendant has knowingly and voluntarily waved her right to jury trial. Just one second.

[00:05:12]Did you review the plea bargain agreement with your attorney? Did you understand it and did you sign it?

[00:05:18]>> All right. According to the plea punishments be assessed at four years in the prison, there's a $1,000 fine probated. This will run concurrent with 2025 CR0000744.

[00:05:30]The state will take in consideration 2026 CR06316.

[00:05:37]There's to be restitution if any to Leo.

[00:05:40]The last name is F R E I R E. Did you understand that to be your plea?

[00:05:46]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:05:47]>> Defense and state.

[00:05:48]>> Yes. Judge, >> did you review the waiver of appeal paragraph with your attorney? Did you understand it and sign it in both places?

[00:05:56]>> Yes, sir. by signing that you're waving your right to appeal. The only items that can be appealed are written pre-trial motions that have been filed, heard, and ruled upon by the court. Did you understand?

[00:06:07]>> Yes, sir.

[00:06:08]>> Council, any such motions?

[00:06:10]>> No, your honor.

[00:06:11]>> Outside the agreement, uh, the state is requesting that your community supervision be for a term of four years. There be 120 hours community service restitution, tap evaluation, no contact with the complainant, MRT and referral to Espironza court. Did you understand those are recommendations from the state and the court does not have to follow those recommendations?

[00:06:32]Then to the offense, how do you plead guilty, not guilty or no contest?

[00:06:37]State any evidence?

[00:06:38]>> Yes. State offer states exhibit one and all.

[00:06:41]>> No objection.

[00:06:42]>> All right. State you may excuse. Did you review the waiver and stipulations with your attorney? Did you understand it and sign it in all the appropriate places?

[00:06:49]>> Yes, sir.

[00:06:50]>> Again, did you understand you have a right to jury trial, a right for you or your attorney to cross-examine and confront any witnesses the state would call and the right to remain silent?

[00:06:59]>> Yes, sir.

[00:07:00]>> Did you understand that today the state will be presenting evidence in the form of witnesses statements and police reports, but most importantly, there will be no live testimony. Did you understand?

[00:07:11]Court will find that defendant has knowingly involuntarily waved and consented to stipulation of testimony and stipulations. Court will find there's sufficient evidence to find you guilty and the court will find you guilty. Are you proceeding with sentencing?

[00:07:24]>> Yes, judge.

[00:07:26]>> Anything you wish to say on behalf of your client?

[00:07:28]>> Judge, I know you've reviewed the uh steps and the police report and you could see that she was being trafficked that night. She uh actually uh she wasn't paid for her services and she took the car and that becomes a robbery.

[00:07:44]Um I don't think the uh John was arrested or file charges filed against him. I suggested to the prosecution that he be found and uh and and uh be charged accordingly. Uh the uh referral to Espironza court is is appropriate uh for Miss uh Tjo Hernandez's circumstances and I wish her well if if you see fit and she's accepted into that program.

[00:08:16]>> All righty.

[00:08:24]>> Okay. Uh, do you have any family here?

[00:08:27]>> Who is your support system?

[00:08:29]>> Um, right now I need to get I need to get myself together because my mom is um not talking to me until I do. Um, right now u my good support my good support son he's in Brownsville. He's doing good.

[00:08:43]>> Sorry. Who is it?

[00:08:43]>> My spouse.

[00:08:45]>> Um, he was getting his life together before I mean I say we've been together for a little bit. Um he was waiting to get his apartment taken over there but I was have stayed here in San Antonio and I was uh struggling.

[00:08:59]>> Take your apartment apartment where >> to um right now um I was waiting I was waiting I was waiting for him to get apartment or whatever and I was staying here and I started shing.

[00:09:12]>> Okay. So here here's here's my advice to you. You're not ready to be in a relationship with anybody. You got to work on self.

[00:09:19]>> Yes. Because for you to have a spouse and I've read the police report part of I mean your attorney is telling me things and that's in the police report but there are other things in the police report as well. So you need to work on yourself before you go off in different relationships. Okay. Do you have any children and what are their ages?

[00:09:44]>> Nine seven.

[00:09:46]>> And are any of them with you?

[00:09:49]Who are they with? All right. See, you've got to work on self. Okay. And before you work on having a relationship with an adult, you need to work on having a relationship with your children. Okay. Has CPS been in your life?

[00:10:07]>> Yes, sir.

[00:10:08]>> So, what did you terminate your rights?

[00:10:11]>> They closed the case because I had told them >> You're going to give them to your grandmother?

[00:10:15]>> I didn't give them to her. I still haven't. We haven't gone through that process yet.

[00:10:19]>> No, no, no, no. Here's the thing. If you have an open CPS case and they close it, it's because they've deemed that the children are protected. And sometimes the way they deem that the children are protected is if you say, you know what, I'm not going to have the children in my life. I'm going to let them stay with a relative and then CPS walks away. But that doesn't mean you're supposed to go back and grab your children. You understand?

[00:10:40]>> Yes.

[00:10:41]>> All right. Uh the court is going to sentence you to four years in the prison, suspended and probated for four years. Regular reporting by Zoom or in person. Regular UAS. Thousand dollar fine probated. Field visits one time per month until further notice. This will run concurrent with 2025 CR0000744.

[00:11:02]There's to be no contact with Leo, last name F R E I R E, and restitution if any to him. and set this for um nor set this for 3 weeks for a restitution hearing and we'll see if he comes in >> June 11th.

[00:11:23]>> All right. June 11th for a restitution hearing and they're going to give you a reset form.

[00:11:29]Uh she is to remain in custody for the following evaluations.

[00:11:37]Referral to Espironza court and ISF if not accepted taking considerations 2026 CR6316 there's to be no residing in households with minors no unsupervised contact with minors.

[00:12:10]>> Proof of employment within 60 days of release. No employment as a home health care provider or with minors.

[00:12:18]Uh 200 hours of community service restitution.

[00:12:23]I'm going to order parenting classes.

[00:12:24]Once parenting classes are completed, 100 hours would deem satisfied. And probation. If there needs to be an updated tap, uh do an updated tap.

[00:12:36]in custody and there should be one hour deducted for every sober support meeting completed. Uh, probation. Is there anything else?

[00:12:52]>> Is there anything else you need from the court in order to be successful?

[00:12:58]>> No.

[00:12:59]>> All right. Did you review the document entitled trial court certification of defendants's rights to appeal with your attorney? Did you understand it and sign it?

[00:13:07]>> Yes.

[00:13:08]>> Because this is a plea bargain agreement. Because I followed your plea bargain agreement and because you wave your right to appeal and you do not have the court's permission to appeal. You're welcome. Because this is a felony conviction. You're not allowed to own or possess any weapons or ammunition. If you have a question over what that is, you'll need to speak to an attorney. Do you understand?

[00:13:27]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:13:28]>> All right. Good luck to you.

[00:13:29]>> Thank you.

[00:13:30]>> You're welcome. is calling 2026 CR00004783 and 2026 CR00004780 state versus Jessica Suarez off the record. Could I have parties announced for the record?

[00:13:47]>> State Arling Gay for the defendant >> and are you Miss Suarez?

[00:13:51]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:13:52]>> Council, have you received all discovery?

[00:13:55]>> Yes, I have.

[00:13:56]>> Do you have the discovery? It was sent electronically to you.

[00:14:00]>> Okay.

[00:14:01]>> I see sign document.

[00:14:03]>> Let me see if I have it.

[00:14:10]>> All right. Have you re you I'm sorry.

[00:14:13]>> Sorry.

[00:14:13]>> No, no, no. You ready? Have you received all discovery and did you review it with your client?

[00:14:19]>> I I did not play the video of the eagle, but yes, I talked to her about the facts of her case.

[00:14:26]>> All right. And you all may have to um it the discovery isn't downloading for me. The uh there we are.

[00:14:42]Okay.

[00:14:49]All right. The court will uh find that the state is in compliance with discovery and you are Jessica Suarez, correct? Do you have any objection to continuing with this plea agreement knowing that your attorney has not downloaded the DVD to to view?

[00:15:08]I mean, do you have any objections to that?

[00:15:12]>> All right. And each of the cause numbers, did you review the true bill of indictment with your attorney? Did you understand it? Council, do you wave the reading?

[00:15:21]>> Yes, I do.

[00:15:22]>> State, are you proceeding on the uh indictment as presented in each cause number?

[00:15:27]>> Judge, we'll be waving abandoning the punishment enhancement, but otherwise proceeding instruction.

[00:15:31]>> Any objection?

[00:15:32]>> No objection.

[00:15:34]>> And each cause numbers, did you review the court admonishments with your attorney? Did you understand it and sign it and all the appropriate places?

[00:15:42]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:15:43]>> All right. And the cause number ending in 83, you're charged with evading arrest detention with a vehicle. And the cause number ending in 800, you're charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Those are state jail felonies.

[00:15:57]The range of punishment, I'm sorry, the state jail felony is the unauthorized use. Range of punishment is anywhere from 180 days up to two years in the state jail facility and up to a $10,000 fine. in the evading arrest detention with a vehicle. That's a thirdderee felony. The range of punishment is anywhere from 2 to 10 years in the prison and up to $10,000 fine. If you have a plea with the state, the court does not have to follow your plea. If the court does not follow your plea and gives you more than you bargain for, the fact that you entered a plea will not be used against you and you will be allowed to withdraw your plea. You have a right to jury trial, a right for you or your attorney to cross-examine and confront any witnesses the state would call, and the right to remain silent by entering these pleasure. You're giving up those rights. Did you intend to give up those rights and enter into a plea in each of these cause numbers?

[00:16:53]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:16:54]>> Council, has your client been able to provide you with any defenses?

[00:16:58]>> Yes, she's assisted me.

[00:16:59]>> Do you believe she has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the charges against her?

[00:17:03]>> Yes. Do you believe she's currently competent and was legally sane at the time of the offense?

[00:17:08]>> Yes.

[00:17:09]>> Miss Forest, has anyone threatened you, coerced you, or placed you in fear to get you to enter the plea? Anyone promised you anything other than the plea? Are you satisfied with the way you've been represented?

[00:17:20]>> If you're not a US citizen by entering into these p you, you will be deported, denied naturalization, and re-entry. Did you understand?

[00:17:26]>> Yes. In each cause number, the court will find that defendant has knowingly and voluntarily waved her right to jury trial and the cause number in ending in 83. According to the plea, your punishment is to be assessed at 6 years in the prison. This will run concurrent with 20 26 CR 004780 and the cause number in 80 according to your plea. The punishment is to be assessed at 6 months in the state jail facility and it's to run concurrently with 2026 CR00004783.

[00:17:58]Did you understand that to be your plea?

[00:18:00]>> Yes.

[00:18:01]>> Defense and state. Is that the plea?

[00:18:03]>> It is judge.

[00:18:04]>> Yes, it is.

[00:18:05]>> In each cause number, did you review the waiver of appeal paragraph with your attorney? Did you understand it and sign it in both places? By signing that, you're waving your right to appeal. The only items that can be appealed are written pre-trial motions that have been filed, heard, and ruled upon by the court. Did you understand?

[00:18:21]>> Yes.

[00:18:22]>> Any such motions?

[00:18:23]>> No such motions.

[00:18:24]>> Then to the offense to each of the offenses, how do you plead guilty, not guilty or no contest?

[00:18:31]>> State any evidence?

[00:18:32]>> Statement number one and all.

[00:18:34]>> No objection.

[00:18:35]>> All right. State you may be excused.

[00:18:37]>> Thank you.

[00:18:37]>> In each cause number, did you review the waiver and stipulations with your attorney? Did you understand it and sign it in all the appropriate places?

[00:18:45]>> Again, did you understand you have a right to jury trial, a right for you or your attorney to cross-examine and confront any witnesses the state would call and the right to remain solid?

[00:19:01]>> Did you understand that today the state would be presenting evidence in the form of witnesses statements and police reports, but most importantly there will be no live testimony? Did you understand?

[00:19:12]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:19:13]>> And each of the cause numbers, the court will find there's sufficient evidence to find you guilty. Court will find you guilty.

[00:19:20]>> Are you proceeding with sentencing?

[00:19:22]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:19:23]>> Anything you wish to say on behalf of your client?

[00:19:26]>> Uh, my client is asking the court to all the plea bargain. As you can see, she is currently pregnant. Um, she is remorseful.

[00:19:35]uh her friend who brought the car, drove the car to pick her up, said, "Please, you know, could you mind driving?" And she did. And then when the police got behind them, her friend who Miss Aosta told her, "Go, go, go." And she did. And um and that's where we are. Uh at that time, she didn't know she was pregnant. So, she probably had um a pregnancy brain, a brain, you know, not really thinking about what she was doing, but since coming to jail, she did find out she's pregnant. So, um you know, it's a bad situation when somebody asks you to drive when they come to pick you up. And I think uh that put her in a really bad situation, your honor.

[00:20:24]>> All right. In cause number 2026 CR00004780, as previously stated, the court is finding you guilty.

[00:20:35]Court will sentence you to 6 months in the state jail facility. You credit for any time served. This will run concurrent with 2026 CR4783.

[00:20:48]Uh the court will request the therapeutic community no unsupervised contact with minors and there's be no contact with Samantha Marie A. Costa and that cause number. Did you review the trial court certification of defendants's rights to appeal with your attorney? Uh, did you understand it?

[00:21:21]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:21:22]>> And did you sign it?

[00:21:24]>> Right. Because I followed your plea bargain agreement. Because you wave your right to appeal, you do not have the court's permission to appeal. Because that's a felony conviction. You're not allowed to own or possess any weapons or ammunition. If you have a question over what that is, you'll need to speak to an attorney. and cause number 2026 CR 004783.

[00:21:55]Court is finding you guilty.

[00:22:00]Court will sentence you to six years in the prison.

[00:22:04]Give a credit for any time served. This is run concurrent with 2026 CR 00004780.

[00:22:11]There should be no unsupervised contact with minors.

[00:22:16]There should be no contact with Samantha A. Costa and the court will recommend the therapeutic community and that cause number. Did you review the trial court certification of defendants rights to appeal with your attorney? Did you understand it and sign it? Again, because this is plea bargaining agreement, because I followed your plea bargain agreement, and because you wave your right to appeal, you do not have the court's permission to appeal.

[00:22:40]Because this is a felony conviction, you're not allowed to own or possess any weapons or ammunition. If you have a question over what that is, you'll need to speak to an attorney. Do you understand?

[00:22:50]All right, we can go off the record.

[00:22:51]Here's the thing.

[00:22:53]You know better. And that whole you're not a babe in the woods. Somebody tell you to drive. Oh, no. What do I do? I'm going to drive because you had enhancements. If you continue on this vein, what's going to end up happening?

[00:23:07]You're going to spend the rest of your life at somebody's prison and somebody else is going to raise your child. You understand?

[00:23:13]>> All right. Good luck to you.

[00:23:14]>> Jennifer Cho Hernandez thought she had a story that would soften the court. A robbery, a stolen car. She claimed she was trafficked, unpaid for services, and snapped. Her lawyer even pointed out that Jon wasn't arrested. Judge Stephanie Boyd listened. Then she read the police report and she found things the defense left out. You need to work on yourself, the judge said coldly. But then came the real question. Do you have any children? Seven kids, none with Jennifer. A closed CPS case. The judge's eyes narrowed. Before you work on a relationship with any adult, you need to work on your relationship with your children. In that moment, the trafficking narrative cracked. Judge Boyd didn't ignore it, but she refused to let it erase the mother who walked away from seven children. The sentence landed like a hammer for years suspended, no contact with minors, including her own kids, parenting classes, and 200 hours of service. One wrong move, straight to prison. Judge Stephanie Boyd didn't just sentence a criminal. She held the mother accountable and that hurts worse than any prison