Conroe Municipal Court Judge William Waggoner, who has had previous encounters with the law, was arrested early Wednesday morning on charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and unlawfully carrying a weapon. CW39 reported that court records from the Montgomery County Court of Law outline Judge Waggoner's history of legal issues, including at least three prior arrests.
In a questionable turn of events, Waggoner resumed his judicial duties just hours after the incident, returning to preside over cases in the very system where he now presents a case himself. This situation raises concerns about accountability and the optics of justice within the community. Despite the arrest, the City of Conroe spokesperson stated KPRC 2 saying, "No one is above the law, or immune from making mistakes. It is an unfortunate incident and as with any arrest, one is not guilty until proven so."
Judge Waggoner's run-ins with the law date back to 2008 when he faced an evading arrest charge, followed by a DWI charge in 2014, which was dismissed. Then again, in 2017, he took a plea deal to avoid conviction on another DWI charge in San Antonio. These prior incidents, detailed in the KPRC 2 report, are part of a pattern that challenges the Judge's own campaign message of "lead with integrity," a promise featured on his official website.
Despite the immediate return to his professional responsibilities, the incident remains under investigation, as mentioned by CW39. Waggoner's quick transition from detainee to judge on the same day undeniably casts a shadow on the court's operations. "The City is aware that our Municipal Judge, Will Waggoner, was arrested early this morning for a possible DWI and UCW," the spokesperson told KPRC 2, affirming the judge's elective status and ongoing role on the bench amidst the ongoing legal challenge.
