Inset left: Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez”s official profile picture (Bexar County). Inset right: Speedlin Gonzalez in a booking photo (Bexar County Jail). Background: The Cadena-Reeves Justice Center in San Antonio, Texas (Google Maps).
A courtroom drama unfolded in Texas, leading to the indictment of a judge after an attorney was handcuffed during a heated courtroom exchange. The incident has placed Bexar County Court at Law Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, 60, in the legal spotlight, facing charges of unlawful restraint by a judicial officer and misdemeanor official oppression, as outlined in the recent indictment.
The contentious episode took place in December 2024, during a probation revocation hearing. Attorney Elizabeth Russell appeared in court alongside her client, when an altercation ensued, capturing the attention of local news outlets. According to a report from San Antonio’s ABC affiliate KSAT, the courtroom tension began when Russell’s client responded “true” to one of the probation violation allegations.
Russell immediately sought a brief pause to discuss the plea with her client, a request that Judge Speedlin Gonzalez denied, citing courtroom rules against attorneys coaching their clients. The proceedings pressed forward, but Russell objected to this course of action, sparking further dispute. The judge’s response to Russell’s objections reportedly escalated the situation.
This incident, which has since been scrutinized through courtroom transcripts obtained by KSAT, has fueled discussions about judicial conduct and attorney rights within the legal community. As the legal process unfolds, this case is likely to serve as a focal point for broader conversations about courtroom decorum and the balance of power within judicial proceedings.
The defendant in that case reportedly responded to one of the allegations by pleading “true,” which prompted Russell to interject and ask for a moment to confer with her client.
The judge nixed the defense request and said attorneys are not allowed to coach their clients, according to a transcript of the proceedings obtained by the TV station. When the court moved forward with the plea, the defense attorney objected. This time, Speedlin Gonzalez volubly took issue with Russell’s lawyering.
“Stop,” the judge said. “It’s on the record. Your argumentative ways are not going to work today. Stop. Stop, or I’ll hold you in contempt, Ms. Russell. I will hold you in contempt.”
The judge added that Russell was “not allowed to be argumentative and argue just for the sake of argument,” the transcript says.
Soon, however, the upbraiding turned into action.
“Take her into custody and put her in the box,” the judge directed a bailiff. “We are not having this hearing this way.”
After that, Speedlin Gonzalez lectured the attorney again.
“You will not run around these courtrooms, especially [court number] 13, and think that you can just conduct yourself in the way you’ve been conducting yourself for at least the last six years, Ms. Russell,” the judge said.
In response, the lawyer noted that she had only been practicing law for five years. After being freed, Russell filed a criminal complaint.
The case moved slowly.
In September 2025, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales recused his office from the case. In October 2025, 24th Judicial District Attorney Brian Cromeens was named special prosecutor.
The special prosecutor has kept mum about the investigation, telling local media in the Alamo City he will not comment on ongoing cases.
Now, prosecutors have accused Speedlin Gonzalez of restricting Russell’s movements without her consent and interfering “substantially with her liberty,” the indictment obtained by KSAT says.
On Thursday, the judge turned herself in and appeared in a Bexar County court for an initial appearance.
The case has been assigned to 379th District Court Judge Ron Rangel.
On Thursday, the court set Speedlin Gonzalez’s bond at $20,000, court records show.
