Bexar County Court-at-Law Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez has resigned months after a grand jury indicted her over a courtroom dispute in which she allegedly ordered a defense attorney handcuffed and confined to the jury box. Special prosecutor Brian Cromeens then moved to dismiss the criminal case, according to local reports.
The criminal case accused Speedlin Gonzalez of unlawful restraint by a judicial officer and official oppression. The charges stemmed from a December 17, 2024 hearing involving defense attorney Elizabeth Russell. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, prosecutors alleged Speedlin Gonzalez ordered Russell handcuffed and confined to the jury box during the dispute.
Under the resignation agreement, Speedlin Gonzalez can no longer serve as a judge in Texas, seek election or appointment to judicial office, or perform judicial duties. She may still perform wedding ceremonies, but only if she does not wear a robe or refer in any way to judicial authority or function.
Cromeens told KSAT his office decided to dismiss the charges after learning of Speedlin Gonzalez’s resignation and speaking with Russell. Texas Public Radio reported the dismissal was made “in the interest of justice.”
The resignation followed a string of setbacks for Speedlin Gonzalez. The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended her without pay after her January indictment, and she then lost her March 3 Democratic primary reelection bid to attorney Alicia “Ali” Perez by a 65% to 35% margin, according to prior DX reporting and local coverage.
