{"id":219201,"date":"2025-09-11T21:47:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T21:47:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/219201\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T21:47:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T21:47:21","slug":"san-antonio-city-council-censures-meza-gonzalez-over-dwi-charge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/219201\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio City Council censures Meza Gonzalez over DWI charge"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"District 8 City Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez signs a document during a campaign event. Credit: Facebook \/ Ivalis Meza Gonzalez for District 8<\/p>\n

San Antonio City Council on Thursday voted to censure first-term Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez for the July drunk driving arrest she\u2019s still battling in court. <\/p>\n

Eight council members voted in favor of the public referendum censuring Meza Gonzalez, who represents District 8. District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo abstained, while Meza Gonzalez recused herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a statement, Castillo said it\u2019s the legal system\u2019s job to hold her colleague accountable for her actions, not the members of council.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery individual is entitled to\u00a0 due process,\u201d Castillo said. \u201cAny determination of wrongdoing should follow the process and ultimately be judged by the people they serve. This is not an attempt to defend drunk driving, nor does it condone this behavior. Rather it is confidence that the justice system will hold Councilmember Meza Gonzalez accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the third time in as many years council has held such a voter after one of its members was arrested on DWI allegations. The other two involved former District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry and his successor, Marc Whyte.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gonzalez was also charged with a DWI<\/a> in 2010. However, that charge was expunged from her record after a jury trial.<\/p>\n

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones added the item to Thursday\u2019s docket earlier this week, citing new information about the arrest. <\/p>\n

Although Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales initially suppressed Meza Gonzalez\u2019s blood alcohol test results, the case was refiled last Wednesday as a DWI with a blood alcohol content higher than 0.15 \u2014 nearly twice the legal limit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a statement released to reporters before Thursday\u2019s vote, Meza Gonzalez expressed remorse.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout this process, I have been clear in my commitment to take accountability for my actions, and I will respect the decision of my colleagues on today\u2019s vote,\u201d she said. \u201cAs my legal case moves forward, I will continue to accept responsibility every step of the way. To the residents of District 8, my focus as your councilmember remains on serving you, making sure your best interests are represented with a strong voice, and I will not back down from that duty.\u201d<\/p>\n

The censure vote is largely symbolic since it doesn\u2019t carry financial penalties or disciplinary consequences. Even so, Jones temporarily stripped Meza Gonzalez of her committee assignments earlier this month, which can hinder her ability to effectively represent her district at City Hall.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Ivalis\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tGonzalez was absent from Mayor Jones\u2019 special Project Marvel meeting on Friday.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"District\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tGonzalez retained attorney David Christian, who also defended council members Marc Whyte and Clayton Perry in similar cases.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"San\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tOfficer David McCall\u2019s blood alcohol content was reportedly three times over the legal limit.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This article appears in Sep 3-17, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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