Harris County District Court Judge Kelli Johnson found herself on the other side of the law on an early Tuesday morning, as she was arrested and charged with a DWI. Court records confirmed by ABC13 reveal that around 1:55 a.m., Johnson was seen by a Houston police officer making an improper turn from Hempstead Road onto Kempwood Drive, driving 15 miles per hour under the speed limit.
Upon approaching Johnson's vehicle, the officer noted she had her hands raised in front of her torso and her demeanor was detached, only rolling down her window upon request. During her interaction, the officer observed two prescription bottles as she reached for her identification. Later, Johnson admitted to being on Duloxetine, an antidepressant, according to the police report. Based on her slow movements, restrained expression, and dilated pupils, she was deemed under the influence of a controlled substance.
A mandatory field sobriety test, instructed by a supervising officer, yielded low scores for Johnson. She consented to a blood draw at the Harris County Joint Processing Center. As a result of these events, Johnson remains incarcerated. This isn't her first traffic-related incident; back on April 12, she was stopped for reckless driving and suspected drinking.
Judge Johnson, known for presiding over high-stakes criminal cases like the AJ Armstrong trial series told Click2Houston, plays an administrative role over the Criminal Board beyond the bench. In her past, she served 17 years as Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, eventually climbing ranks to be a Felony Chief in the DA's office. She's also active in guiding troubled youths, volunteering for programs designed to help young women address and overcome addiction issues.
After securing her release on bail, the details of Judge Johnson's future with the 178th Criminal District Court remain uncertain.
