A judge on Monday delayed the trial for defense attorney Hilda Valadez, who is charged with 46 counts of courthouse fraud, after her attorneys expressed concerns about her mental well-being.
Valadez, 52, appears to be suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, in part a result of the charges against her, a psychologist hired by her lawyers concluded. Visiting Judge Stephen Ables gave prosecutors 21 days to have another psychologist conduct a mental evaluation.
If both sides cannot agree on her mental state, a jury might be empaneled to decide solely if she is aware enough of her surroundings to stand trial.
Valadez, who was previously known for garnering more indigent defense work than any other attorney in San Antonio, is accused of having forged judges' signatures and double-billed Bexar County for her work. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.
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