Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, a sitting Democrat judge in Bexar County, Texas, has been indicted on felony and misdemeanor charges following a confrontation with a defense attorney during a courtroom proceeding.
The far-left judge turned herself in on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
She was booked on one felony count of unlawful restraint by a judicial officer and one misdemeanor count of official oppression.
The charges stem from an incident during a December 2024 hearing.
During the hearing, Gonzalez ordered defense attorney Elizabeth Russell to be handcuffed and placed in the jury box after a disagreement in court.
No court date has been set.
According to court transcripts reviewed by The Daily Caller, the incident occurred after Russell requested permission to confer with her client following a plea.
Gonzalez denied the request, stating that attorneys should not “coach” their clients.
“Take her into custody and put her in the box,” Gonzalez reportedly ordered during the hearing.
A grand jury later returned indictments against Gonzalez, exposing her to potentially severe penalties if convicted.
The felony charge carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison under Texas law.
Gonzalez, 60, was elected in 2019.
She became the first openly LGBTQ judge elected in Bexar County.
Her tenure has previously drawn widespread attention, however.
In a 2022 incident, she paid a civil penalty after carrying a loaded handgun in her airport luggage.
She was also involved in a prolonged legal dispute over the display of a rainbow flag in her courtroom.
The dispute ultimately prevailed on appeal in 2023.
“I’m a proud public servant, I’m LGBTQ, I own a gun, I’m bilingual, I’m an American citizen — and I have every right to defend myself,” Gonzalez has said previously.
The indictment comes as Gonzalez is seeking reelection in the March 2026 Democrat primary.
However, it raises questions about the impact of the charges on her campaign.
A special prosecutor was appointed to handle the case after the local district attorney’s office recused itself.
The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct had not announced any disciplinary action related to the indictment.
The case remains under review as prosecutors prepare for the next phase of proceedings.
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