Spiky-haired Texas judge's career ends in disgrace over her troubling courtroom behavior

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 22:05, 7 May 2026 | Updated: 22:05, 7 May 2026 A Texas judge saw her career end in disgrace over allegations of concerning courtroom behavior including claims she handcuffed a lawyer during hearing. Bexar County Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, 60, resigned last month under an agreement that permanently prohibits her from serving as a judge in Texas.  The deal, signed on April 20, also resulted in criminal charges against her being dropped. Her resignation stems from a December 2024 argument involving defense attorney Elizabeth Russell, according to Texas Public Radio. Gonzalez allegedly ordered bailiffs to handcuff Russell and place her in a jury box after the attorney challenged a plea deal for her client. The now-former judge was indicted in January on charges of official oppression and unlawful restraint, which have since been dropped. Special prosecutor Brian Cromeens said dismissing Gonzalez's charges was 'in the interest of justice.' The unlawful restraint charge was a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.  Bexar County Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, 60, will no longer be able to serve as a judge in Texas after coming to a deal that saw her resign but not face criminal charges Her resignation stems from a December 2024 argument involving defense attorney Elizabeth Russell in which she was accused of handcuffing the lawyer in court Meanwhile, the official oppression charge was a Class A misdemeanor that could result in up to a year in jail. A spokesperson for the Bexar County Courts' general counsel told the Daily Mail on Thursday afternoon that the court system was still operating 'intact' with visiting judges filling in for the meantime. The visiting judges will rotate weekly and cover the main docket until a new judge begins working next January. Gonzalez was first elected to the bench in 2018, becoming the first openly lesbian judge elected in Bexar County in the process.  But her reputation lies in tatters following her alleged behavior towards Russell during a domestic violence proceeding. The two clashed during a motion to revoke a probation hearing, with tensions escalating after Russell allegedly asked to speak privately with her client following the defendant's plea of 'true.' Russell's client functioned below average intellectually, KSAT reported. Gonzalez allegedly told Russell that attorneys could not coach their clients and accepted the defendant's plea, which Russell vehemently objected to. Gonzalez had been indicted in January on charges of official oppression and unlawful restraint which have since been dropped The unlawful restraint charge was a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, while official oppression charge could have resulted in up to a year in jail According to a transcript obtained by Texas Public Radio, Gonzalez 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 she was 'not allowed to be argumentative and argue just for the sake of argument.' 'Take her into custody and put her in the box,' the judge said, per the transcript. 'We are not having this hearing this way.' Gonzalez told Russell that she could 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.' Russell shot back that she had only been a licensed attorney for five years according to the transcript and subsequently filed a criminal complaint against Gonzalez. Russell's complaint alleged official oppression and unlawful restraint by Gonzalez. The Bexar County District Attorney's office recused itself from the case in September. Gonzalez told the outlet in an email that the 2024 recording with Russell 'speaks for itself.' In 2022, a loaded handgun was found in Gonzalez's carry-on luggage while she traveled through San Antonio International Airport while on her way to Miami Gonzalez was suspended without pay by the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct. She then lost her bid for reelection in the March primary, being handily defeated by opponent Alicia Perez. Perez, who is set to start next January, won 65 percent of the vote for Bexar County Court at Law No. 13. However Gonzalez has been involved in other incidents before. In 2022, she faced a $2,475 civil penalty after a loaded handgun was found in her carry-on luggage as she traveled through San Antonio International Airport to catch an early morning flight to Miami for a speaking engagement. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents found the firearm had a bullet in the chamber, according to FOX 7. Gonzalez called the event an oversight and was allowed to board the flight after she gave the gun to a family member. She also drew attention that year when she was ordered to remove a pride flag from her courtroom. Gonzalez became the first openly lesbian judge in Bexar County when she was initially elected in 2018 Gonzalez successfully appealed the following year, and the flag was permitted to stay. The Daily Mail has reached out to Gonzalez and Cromeens, who was the special prosecutor, for comment. Gonzalez's previous email and phone associated with the Bexar County Courts appeared to no longer be working as of Thursday. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.