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The court heard a stipulation of testimony and admitted State’s Exhibit 1 and a supplement as evidence. After reviewing the exhibits, Judge Stephanie Boyd said, “There is sufficient evidence to find you guilty,” then added she would defer a formal finding of guilt because Venegas had applied for deferred adjudication.

The plea agreement reflected in the record shows the state proceeded on Count 2 (possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1, 400 grams or more). Under the written plea terms read into the record, the parties agreed to a cap on punishment of 15 years in prison and a $2,000 fine; the state opposed Venegas’s application for community supervision or deferred adjudication. The transcript also notes the plea bargain includes dismissal of another charge as part of the agreement.

Judge Boyd ordered a presentence investigation (PSI) and a TAP evaluation to assess substance-related issues. She set a follow-up hearing for May 13, when she said she will make a decision on Venegas’s deferred-adjudication application after reviewing any additional evidence presented.

During the hearing, the court ensured Venegas had reviewed and signed the written admonishments, the waiver of appeal language, and the waiver of the reading of the indictment. Defense counsel Danny Callahan confirmed review of discovery with the defendant; Anthony Merced announced for the State.

The court explained that if it declined to grant the requested deferred adjudication and instead adjudicated Venegas guilty, the defendant would be permitted to withdraw the plea. The court also advised Venegas of the statutory punishment range and the collateral consequences contained in the plea paperwork.

The case will return to court on May 13 for the court’s decision on the deferred-adjudication application and related sentencing matters.

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“Usually, when there’s a jury trial, the person is brought over dressed for trial… Normally, they say they don't have to necessarily be dressed for a bench trial because I’m the judge, I’m not going to… hold it against them that they’re in custody,” Judge Boyd said, explaining the courtroom's discretion on dress for bench proceedings. She described circumstances when a defendant would be allowed to be dressed for court even for a bench trial.

Judge Boyd then outlined local jail uniform classifications used when inmates are brought to court: orange for general population (sometimes orange with white stripes for lower-risk detainees who may work), tan for trustees, red for administration segregation or high-profile cases, blue for females in general population, and yellow or yellow-and-white stripes for pregnant detainees. She noted that defense counsel sometimes requests a court order for a clothing exchange when an appointed attorney believes a client lacks civilian clothes, but observed practical difficulties: someone must hold the exchanged clothing, and attorneys often rely on family members to complete the exchange.

The discussion emphasized practical courtroom logistics rather than any change in law or policy: the court retains discretion to permit dressed appearance for trial participants and to sign clothing-exchange orders when requested, but arranging exchanges often depends on family availability or counsel making local arrangements.

","Before proceedings in the 187th District, Judge Stephanie Boyd and courtroom participants discussed whether detained defendants should be brought to court wearing civilian clothes or jail uniforms, explained jail uniform color codes, and outlined practical issues around clothing exchanges when family members are not available.","actionData","errors"]

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Judge defers finding of guilt in Samantha Venegas case, orders PSI and substance evaluation; decision set for May 13

Judge, attorneys and deputies discuss jail clothing, classification colors and clothing-exchange practice before bench proceedings