Judge Peter Sakai, local children's court veteran, says he'll resign Oct. 31

State District Judge Peter Sakai, who helped create and guide Bexar County Children’s Court to national renown, said Wednesday he plans to resign, effective Oct. 31. He took no questions at his news conference and would not divulge his next steps. With his wife Rachel and his staff at his side, Sakai made the announcement in his courtroom, reading his intentions from a copy of a letter he had sent to Gov. Greg Abbott.

The governor will choose Sakai’s successor to finish the judge’s current term, which runs through next year. Acknowledging that his last day would be on Halloween, Sakai smiled and told staff and news media in the courtroom: “No trick, all treat.” Sakai was elected nearly 16 years ago as presiding judge of the 225th Civil District Court, on the promise that he would protect children, empower families and improve the system, he said in a prepared statement. “Since I have fulfilled my promises, I am ready to embark on a new path of my life,” Sakai said in the statement. Sakai has been elected four times, the past three contests unopposed.