SAN ANTONIO — As jury selection was underway Tuesday in the trial of embattled defense attorney Hilda Valadez, she took a plea agreement.
Valadez, 52, formerly known for garnering more indigent defense work than any attorney in the county, pleaded guilty to one count each of forgery and “securing execution of a document by deception.”
Valadez previously was indicted on 46 felony counts related to allegations she forged judges' signatures and double-billed the county for her services.
As part of the plea, she can apply for probation but is facing up to 10 years in prison.
Valadez also was ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution costs.
The state is seeking prison time.
The deception charged she pleaded to is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Forgery, a third-degree felony, is punishable by not more than 10 years in prison.
mcasady@express-news.net
Twitter: @MichelleCasady