In the USA a judge will be tried for imprisoning an advocate
In Bexar County (Texas, USA) local court judges Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez brought charges in a case that arose after a conflict with an advocate in her courtroom. In December 2024, during a hearing, the judge ordered defense attorney Elizabeth Russell to be handcuffed and placed in the jury box.
The local broadcaster KSAT-TV, which also covered the conflict itself, reports on the progress of this case.
The incident occurred during a hearing on a motion to revoke probation. When the defendant admitted to one of the violations of the terms of supervision, the advocate interrupted the hearing and asked for a moment to consult with her client (who had below-average intellectual functioning, which, from the defense's point of view, required additional clarification of his position).
The judge reacted to this request as an attempt to «prompt» the client's answers and continued the proceedings with the admission without a pause for consultation. When Russell objected to this continuation, Gonzalez stopped her several times, warned her about contempt of court, and stated that the lawyer was «not allowed to argue just for the sake of arguing». Further, according to the transcript, the judge ordered the defense attorney to be taken into custody in the courtroom and seated in the jury box, explaining that the hearing would not be conducted «in this manner».
After the incident, the advocate filed a criminal complaint, citing official oppression and unlawful restraint.
An investigation was conducted into these charges. Since the local district attorney recused himself, a special prosecutor was appointed to the case.
On January 29, 2026, a decision was made to bring charges against Gonzalez in this case. She is accused of unlawful imprisonment by a judicial officer (a felony) and official oppression (a misdemeanor). On the same day, the judge herself appeared before law enforcement officials and attended the first court hearing, at which she was charged and the procedural conditions for her further participation in the case were determined.
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