Judge Rosie Speedlin-Gonzalez of Bexar County Court at Law No. 13 was arrested on Thursday after a grand jury indicted her on charges of unlawfully restraining a peace officer or judge and official oppression. The charges relate to an incident in her courtroom on December 17, 2024. The indictment was issued Thursday and the case has been assigned to the 379th District Court, according to San Antonio Express-News.
Special Prosecutor Steps In After DA Bows Out
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to recuse itself from the case, and that request was granted. Special Prosecutor Brian Cromeens of Goliad County has been assigned to handle the prosecution, according to Fox San Antonio. The DA’s office told reporters it was prohibited from providing further comment, and local coverage reports Speedlin-Gonzalez was arrested around noon Thursday.
Judge Accused Of Having Defense Lawyer Cuffed
The charges trace back to a motion-to-revoke-probation hearing on Dec. 17, 2024, when investigators say Speedlin-Gonzalez ordered a defense attorney to be handcuffed and seated in the jury box. A transcript obtained by KSAT quotes the judge as saying, take her into custody and put her in the box, and shows the attorney later filed a criminal complaint alleging official oppression and unlawful restraint.
Longtime County Judge With Prior Scrutiny
Speedlin-Gonzalez has served on the bench since January 2019 and oversees Reflejo Court, a specialty docket for first-time domestic-violence offenders. She is running for reelection in March and has previously drawn scrutiny, including a 2022 incident in which a loaded handgun was found in her carry-on at San Antonio International Airport and a civil penalty was later imposed, as detailed by San Antonio Express-News.
Potential Penalties Under Texas Law
Under Texas law, unlawfully restraining a peace officer or judge is elevated to a second-degree felony when the victim is a judge or peace officer acting in the line of duty. A conviction can carry a prison term of two to 20 years and fines, as outlined in the Texas Penal Code. Official oppression is generally charged as a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines, as noted by the Texas Penal Code.
Case Heads To District Court
The case will proceed in the 379th District Court and the indictment remains active in the docket. Special Prosecutor Cromeens did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Speedlin-Gonzalez did not provide an immediate response to questions, as per KSAT.
