A local attorney and a Bexar County judge have found themselves at the center of a public dispute after an altercation at Mi Tierra Mariachi Bar during a Fiesta celebration. Leigh Cutter, the attorney, claims County Court 7 Judge Melanie Lira assaulted her at the gathering, a claim that Judge Lira vehemently denies. According to a FOX San Antonio report, the incident that occurred on Wednesday has spurred Cutter to consider filing a report to the State Bar.

As per the police reports obtained by KSAT Investigates, Cutter alleges that Judge Lira "body checked" her out of the blue and issued verbal threats concerning rumors about her ex-boyfriend. Amidst the clamor of "My Boo" by Ghost Town DJ's playing, a cellphone camera captured part of their conversation before Lira blocked the lens. An SAPD officer noted after watching the recordings that there was no clear evidence of assault discernible from the videos.

However, Cutter told FOX San Antonio in an interview that during the incident, Judge Lira made intimidating comments, implying she had knowledge of Cutter's clients and cases, which the attorney took as a threat. "Ironically, I don't think anybody knew she was a sitting judge. I was probably the only one and my staff reacted more heavily," Cutter said. One of her staff can be heard in the recording saying, "Hey, don't put your hands on my boss."

In an unanticipated twist, Judge Lira has filed a harassment complaint against Cutter, after being “alarmed, annoyed and embarrassed” by social media posts accusing her of assault. Cutter responded to the confrontation not just in the barroom, but to KSAT, emphasizing, "I can handle confrontation in the courtroom, but this is not OK." Despite the exchange, no criminal charges have been made against Judge Lira, who was elected in 2022 and not reachable for comment by KSAT or her court staff.