First-ever LGBT judge in Texas county banned for life over misconduct complaints
A Texas judge has agreed to resign immediately and accept a lifetime disqualification from judicial service to resolve multiple complaints of misconduct.
Bexar County Court at Law Judge Rosie Speedlin-Gonzalez signed a formal agreement filed April 20 stating she “has officially and formally resigned her judicial duties effective immediately” in lieu of further disciplinary proceedings, according to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The agreement, which summarizes complaints alleging judicial misconduct, states the parties agreed “the allegations of judicial misconduct, if found to be true, could result in further disciplinary action.”
Under the terms, Speedlin-Gonzalez “shall be forever disqualified from judicial service in the State of Texas,” including serving as a judge, running for or accepting appointment to judicial office, or performing any judicial duties. She may still perform wedding ceremonies, “provided she does not wear a robe or refer in any way to her judicial authority or function.”
The resignation, which “will be public and may be used in subsequent proceedings before the Commission,” comes days after prosecutors moved to dismiss felony and misdemeanor charges against the judge stemming from a December 2024 courtroom incident.
Speedlin-Gonzalez faced charges of unlawful restraint by a peace officer (a second-degree felony) and official oppression (a Class A misdemeanor) after she allegedly ordered defense attorney Elizabeth Russell to be handcuffed and placed in the jury box during a heated exchange.
On Monday, a special prosecutor asked the court to dismiss the indictment against Speedlin-Gonzalez “in the interest of justice.”
According to a transcript of the Dec. 17, 2024, hearing, the argument escalated when Speedlin-Gonzalez accused Russell of coaching her client. When Russell objected, the judge replied, “It’s on the record. You can object all you want, Ms. Russell.” Speedlin-Gonzalez then instructed a bailiff: “Take her into custody and put her in the (jury) box. We are not having this hearing this way.”
The Commission suspended Speedlin-Gonzalez without pay in January following her indictment. The agreement references the handcuffing incident and other complaints, including allegations of unprofessional demeanor, delays in handling habeas corpus petitions, and directing court staff to have no contact with former employees.
In return for her resignation, the commission agreed not to pursue further disciplinary action. The document states Speedlin-Gonzalez “does not admit guilt, fault or liability.”
Speedlin-Gonzalez, the first openly LGBT-identified judge in Bexar County, has served on the bench since 2018. She lost her reelection bid in the March 2026 Democratic primary to challenger Alicia Perez.
The judge has faced prior scrutiny from the commission, including a public warning for congratulating winning attorneys in court and posting their photos on social media. She also received a private warning for displaying an LGBT pride flag in her courtroom. A three-judge panel later dismissed those sanctions in 2023.
