Texas Judge Faces Criminal Charges After Alleged Courtroom Handcuffing Incident
A judge in Texas has been formally indicted on criminal charges more than a year after she allegedly ordered a defence attorney to be handcuffed in the courtroom and detained in the jury box during a heated argument. The case has sent shockwaves through the local legal community and raised serious questions about judicial conduct.
Details of the Alleged Incident
Bexar County Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, 60, oversees Reflejo Court, a trauma-informed treatment programme specifically designed to help first-time domestic violence offenders address the root causes of their behaviour rather than face immediate jail time. Despite the programme's rehabilitative nature, former employees have alleged that Gonzalez has become increasingly erratic over the past year and has verbally attacked defendants in her courtroom.
On Thursday, Gonzalez turned herself in and made her initial court appearance, where she was charged with felony unlawful restraint by a judicial officer and misdemeanor official oppression, according to indictment records obtained by local media. She was subsequently booked into Bexar County Jail and released after posting a $40,000 bond.
The Confrontation That Led to Charges
The judge's arrest comes just two weeks after reports emerged of an incident in late 2024 in which she allegedly kept defence attorney Elizabeth Russell handcuffed in the courtroom. The confrontation occurred during a motion to revoke probation hearing, with tensions escalating after Russell allegedly asked to speak privately with her client following the defendant's plea of 'true.'
According to a source familiar with the incident, Russell's client functions below average intellectually, adding complexity to the legal proceedings. Gonzalez allegedly told Russell that attorneys cannot coach their clients and proceeded with the defendant's plea, which Russell objected to.
Courtroom Transcript Reveals Heated Exchange
A transcript obtained by media outlets reveals the intensity of the exchange. Gonzalez reportedly said: 'Stop. It's on the record. Your argumentative ways are not going to work today. Stop. Stop, or I'll hold you in contempt, Ms Russell. I will hold you in contempt.'
She then told Russell that she was 'not allowed to be argumentative and argue just for the sake of argument' before ordering: 'Take her into custody and put her in the box. We are not having this hearing this way.'
The judge continued: 'You will not run around these courtrooms, especially 13, and think that you can just conduct yourself in the way you've been conducting yourself for at least the last six years, Ms Russell.' Russell noted that she had only been a licensed attorney for five years at the time.
Legal Response and Ongoing Investigation
Following the incident, Russell filed a criminal complaint against Gonzalez alleging official oppression and unlawful restraint. The Bexar County District Attorney's office stepped aside from the case in September, indicating the sensitivity of prosecuting a sitting judge.
In this week's indictment, Gonzalez was specifically accused of restricting Russell's movements without her consent and 'substantially interfering with her liberty.' As of Thursday evening, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct – which has recently suspended other judges facing criminal charges – had not taken action against Gonzalez.
Defence and Political Implications
Mark Stevens, Gonzalez's attorney, maintained that she is innocent of the charges. 'I have not seen the indictment, but she's not guilty of a crime, and that will be clear as time passes,' Stevens stated. 'Let's just say we will vigorously defend the case and we're glad we have a system of court that allows people to challenge accusations, and we intend to do that vigorously.'
The indictment arrives at a politically sensitive time as Gonzalez seeks reelection in the March Democratic primary against challenger Alicia Perez. Perez told reporters that she wishes the judge well as she navigates the criminal justice system but remains 'focused on my campaign and earning the trust of Bexar County voters.'
Pattern of Concerning Behaviour
This is not the first time Gonzalez has faced scrutiny. In 2022, she faced a $2,475 civil penalty after a loaded rainbow-painted handgun was found in her carry-on luggage while traveling through San Antonio International Airport. TSA agents discovered the firearm loaded with a magazine inserted and a bullet chambered. Gonzalez, who called it an oversight, was allowed to give the gun to a family member and board her flight after being questioned by police.
New allegations also emerged earlier this month, with court therapist Cynthia Garcia telling media that the judge's behaviour had become increasingly erratic. One incident involved Gonzalez, a member of the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame, allegedly telling a female defendant to 'invest in batteries' and buy a vibrator, saying it would be 'less trouble.'
Impact on Court Staff and Programme Integrity
Speaking with reporters, Garcia said: '[Gonzalez] began lashing out at defendants in court. I couldn't believe some of the things that were being put on the record.' In another incident, Garcia claimed that Gonzalez reprimanded an 18-year-old homeless man after sexual content was found on his phone, allegedly calling the teenager a 'f***ing poser' in open court.
Complex care manager Crystal Ochoa also expressed concerns about Gonzalez's changing demeanour. She told media outlets: 'The behaviour she gave was aggressive, when it did not need to be. It became very like "No, this is what I'm saying. I'm the judge. I'm going to do this, whether you all like it or no". It was just not appropriate, especially it being a trauma-informed type of setting.'
Consequences for Whistleblowers
Both Garcia and Ochoa were removed from the court programme after raising concerns. In September of last year, Gonzalez issued a no-contact order which stopped the remainder of court staff from speaking with Garcia, Ochoa and two others. Her email, obtained by media, stated: 'A breach of this directive will be grounds for removal from the team.'
Gonzalez first drew attention in 2022 after being ordered to remove a Pride flag from her courtroom. In 2023, she successfully appealed, and the flag was permitted to stay, highlighting her history of controversial decisions within the judicial system.
The case continues to develop as legal proceedings move forward, with the judicial community closely watching how the system handles allegations of misconduct against one of its own members.
