Judge Sakai is widely recognized in the community as being a leader who works hard to bring new ideas and solutions to help resolve issues of child abuse and neglect and family violence and to constantly challenge all involved in the child welfare system to more effectively serve the families that come into his courtroom and prevent child abuse and neglect. Beyond his work with CASA and Child Protective Services Department, he is constantly looking for new and innovative ideas to help keep families together and improve children’s lives. He has been involved in the planning and building of a national model Bexar County Children’s Court in the historic Bexar County Courthouse, the implementation of a Family Drug Treatment Court for parents with addiction issues who have children in the foster care system and the implementation of the Family Group Conferencing Model to bring families together to promote healing by families. Most recently, he planned and developed the Early Intervention Program of the Bexar County Children’s Courts Division and Programs, also known as the Infants and Toddlers Court.
1979
Graduated
From the University of Texas School of Law.
1981
Appointed
The Chief of the Juvenile Section of the District Attorney’s Office.
1982 Peter and Rachel wed on March 14.
1983
Established
a solo practice and served surrounding municipalities as the City Attorney and Municipal Court Judge for the cities of Elmendorf, Leon Valley, Converse, and Helotes.
1984 Peter and Rachel have a son, George.
1989
Appointed
The Juvenile Master/Referee of the 289th State District Court (Juvenile Court by Judge Tom Rickhoff and Judge Carmen Kelsey).
1990 Peter and Rachel’s daughter Elizabeth is born.
1995
Appointed
to the Children’s Court by unanimous vote of the Bexar County Civil District Court Judges.
2005 Adoption of foster children in Bexar County increases 1000% through Judge Sakai’s leadership.
– Recognized by President, then Governor, George W. Bush and the Governor’s Committee to Promote Adoption for Judge Sakai’s model court.
2006
Elected
With nearly 60% of the entire Bexar County vote to the 225th District Court bench, successding his friend and mentor, Senior Judge John J. Specia. Judge Sakai was the highest vote-getter among the contested judicial races.
2010
Re-Elected
As Judge of the 225th District Court; unopposed.
Received the Trailblazer Award for being an outstanding jurist, by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Family Violence Prevention Services names the Children’s Shelter at the Battered Women’s and Children’s Shelter on Judge Sakai’s behalf for his commitment to ending family violence.
2014
Re-Elected
As Judge of the 225th District Court; unopposed.
2017
Running
For Re-Election for his fourth term.
