A Texas defense attorney said a blunt judge publicly criticized her for wearing an “inappropriate” dress in court because it left her shoulders exposed.
Mariah Medina, a former San Antonio reporter who is now a defense lawyer, shared the account along with a photograph of the outfit she wore during a brief, two-minute trial announcement docket.
“This is what I was wearing today when a judge said that I was inappropriately dressed for court,” Medina wrote on X Monday, posting a photo taken outside the Bexar County Government building.
Medina described the hearing as a quick in-and-out appearance. She said the judge then instructed her to come to the bench so she could inspect the outfit more closely.
“She had me come around the bench so she could see my outfit… in front of defendants and other lawyers,” Medina said. “She laughed and asked if I really believed that my dress was appropriate for a jury trial… then asked me if I had a blazer in my car.”
The outfit at the center of the dispute was a simple gray shift dress from J.Crew that left Medina’s arms uncovered.
Medina said she had worn the dress on television many times and had also worn it in other courts without objection. She added that she chose it instead of a blouse she believed revealed more cleavage.
She also posted an older video of herself wearing the dress during her time as a reporter to provide a fuller view of the outfit.
“I posted that old video alongside the photo so you could see it wasn’t backless and doesn’t show side boob or anything,” she said.
Medina maintained that she had followed the courthouse’s rules and complied with the judge’s stated dress expectations, despite feeling humiliated by the exchange.
Bexar County Criminal Court guidelines say attorneys and court officials should wear business attire. Business-casual clothing may be permitted at the discretion of individual judges.
Medina criticized what she viewed as the judge’s broad interpretation of those requirements.
“Apart from her having her dress code on the doors outside her court (that my dress didn’t violate), it was completely mean spirited and unprofessional to address it in the manner that she did. My case wasn’t even going to trial today, and she, as the judge, knew that,” Medina said.
“She has a list of things that she forbids in court re: attire, but this is not on that list. I grew up in a conservative church and I was truly confused. It’s appropriate length, doesn’t expose cleavage… it’s a J Crew dress for crying out loud, not a Hoochies Anonymous Club,” she added.
Although she condemned the judge’s handling of the incident, the young lawyer said she would cover up when appearing in that courtroom.
“It’s not the hill to die on and I have no problem throwing a coat on in the couple months she has left on the bench after being voted out of office,” Medina said.
The courtroom dress-code dispute sparked a divided reaction online. Many people supported Medina, while others agreed with the judge that the outfit was unsuitable for court.
“Is there something wrong with my eyes? I don’t see anything wrong with this dress. Why would this judge say that?” one user asked.
“A shift dress is a shift dress If it’s been acceptable everywhere else, I’d be confused too,” a second comment read.
“If a judge says it’s inappropriate to wear in their courtroom. It’s inappropriate end of discussion,” another said.
“I agree with the judge. He should have held you in contempt and tossed you in jail for 10 days. Then maybe you’d learn to dress.” added another.
Looks like a SECOND Amendment case. Right to bare arms. Nobody pointed that out?” added another comment as Medina posted a video of herself at a shooting range.
“Have been known to bear arms but now may be better known for bare arms?” she said in a Tuesday night post.
