Bexar County Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez has been arrested and charged with a felony count of unlawful restraint by a judicial officer and a misdemeanor count of official oppression. The charges stem from an incident that occurred in December 2024 during a probation hearing in a Bexar County courtroom.
According to the allegations, Gonzalez handcuffed and detained defense attorney Elizabeth Russell after Russell interjected during questioning and requested time to confer with her client. At that moment, Russell’s client—described by the attorney as having cognitive issues—answered “true” to one of the allegations presented by prosecutors. Following an argument between the parties, Gonzalez ordered court officers to handcuff the defense attorney and confine her to the jury box.
Gonzalez, known for her far-left political activism and LGBTQ advocacy, has faced repeated legal and ethical controversies. In 2022, she was fined for attempting to bring a loaded rainbow-painted firearm through airport security in her carry-on luggage. Earlier that year, she received sanctions for displaying Pride flags in her courtroom, violating the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.
Former staff members have accused Gonzalez of fostering a “hostile work environment” and exhibiting erratic behavior, particularly toward defendants and litigants. Some described her as “unstable” and prone to violent outbursts.
