Bexar County Court at Law Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez was indicted Thursday on charges of official oppression and unlawful restraint of a San Antonio defense attorney whom investigators said she ordered handcuffed during a courtroom quarrel, the Express-News reports.
Speedlin Gonzalez directed questions about the indictment to attorney Mark Stevens, who told the daily she’s innocent of the charges.
“I have not seen the indictment, but she’s not guilty of a crime, and that will be clear as time passes,” Stevens said. “Let’s just say we will vigorously defend the case and we’re glad we have a system of court that allows people to challenge accusations, and we intend to do that vigorously.”
In addition to serving as a court at law judge, Speedlin Gonzalez, 60, also oversees the county’s Reflejo Court for first-time domestic violence offenders.
A grand jury indicted Speedlin Gonzalez over the outcome of an alleged argument that occurred in her courtroom on Dec. 17, 2024, according to court documents cited by the Express-News.
The judge was booked into Bexar County Jail around 1 p.m. Thursday and released after posting a $40,000 bond, the paper also reports.
Unlawful restraint by a judicial officer is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in state prison and includes a potential fine up to $10,000. Meanwhile, official oppression is a Class A misdemeanor that carries up a year of jail time plus a fine up to $4,000.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s office recused itself from the case, which was handed off to Special Prosecutor Brian Cromeens of Goliad County, according the Express-News.
The indictment comes as Speedlin Gonzalez seeks reelection in the March Democratic primary against challenger Alicia Perez.
While the State Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued recent suspensions to other members of the judiciary as they faced criminal charges, it’s so far taken no action against Speedlin Gonzalez, KSAT reports.
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