Attorneys rally at Harris County courthouse as viral judge backs down

HOUSTON – All eyes had been on a Harris County courtroom Thursday after a judge who not too long ago went viral for his courtroom behavior ordered an lawyer to seem earlier than him — however in the end took no motion when that lawyer did not present up.

The controversy facilities round Harris County Civil Court Judge Nathan Millironwho drew widespread consideration after movies surfaced displaying a tense change with an IT employee and attorneys inside his courtroom.

Following that incident, lawyer James Stafford emailed the judge, urging him to apologize. In response, Milliron ordered Stafford to seem in court docket at 8 am on April 9.

Stafford refused, saying the order was not legally legitimate.

“The email is not a valid order, it has no legal enforcement,” Stafford beforehand instructed KPRC 2.

Attorneys present up in assist

While Stafford didn’t attend Thursday’s listening to, greater than a dozen attorneys — together with members of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) — confirmed up in assist and to observe the scenario.

KPRC 2’s Jaewon Jung was at the courthouse as occasions unfolded.

At 8:09 am, the courtroom doorways remained locked, regardless of the judge’s directive for an 8 am look. The courtroom ultimately opened round 8:30 am

Attorneys stated their presence was intentional.

“If the judge wanted to do something because Mr. Stafford didn’t show up, we wanted to be here because there are certain procedures that would have to be followed,” stated Brent Mayr, president of the HCCLA.

No motion was taken in opposition to Stafford.

“It appears that no action is going to be taken, no further action anyway,” stated Wade Smith, chair of the group’s Strike Force Committee. “I think our purpose is largely done.”

Concerns about ‘judicial overreach’

Smith stated the group turned concerned as a result of they believed the judge’s actions raised severe authorized considerations.

“It struck us as being a great judicial overreach and unlawful,” Smith stated.

He additionally pushed again on the judge’s declare that Stafford’s e mail constituted improper communication.

“There was no ex parte communication… everything about that was wrong,” Smith stated. “That is constitutionally protected First Amendment speech.”

The group stated it sometimes doesn’t intervene in civil court docket issues, however made an exception on this case because of the circumstances.

Judge’s conduct underneath scrutiny

Inside the courtroom, Milliron appeared calm {and professional} all through the morning proceedings, in line with observers.

“He appeared to me very pleasant to everyone who went before him today,” Smith stated. “That doesn’t surprise me when he’s got lots of eyeballs on him.”

Still, attorneys say considerations concerning the judge’s temperament stay.

“When judges… disrespect court staff… or try to drag people into court, we’re going to stand up,” Mayr stated.

Calls for apology — however none issued

As of Thursday, Judge Milliron had not issued a public assertion or apology concerning the viral incident or the order involving Stafford.

Attorneys say that is what sparked this example within the first place.

“That’s what James Stafford wanted from the very beginning — an apology to this employee that he treated with utter disrespect,” Mayr stated.

Mayr added the judge ought to go additional.

“I think he owes an apology to Mr. Stafford and to the people of Harris County,” he stated.

What occurs subsequent

The morning’s relative calm does not imply the story is over. The HCCLA confirmed it has not filed a judicial criticism in opposition to Milliron however says others have. The group plans to proceed monitoring the scenario.

“If there’s any problems, we will not hesitate to step up,” Mayr stated.

As for whether or not the judge may face elimination from workplace, attorneys say that course of exists — however is troublesome.

“There’s procedures for doing that… they’re very difficult to accomplish,” Mayr stated.

For now, attorneys say they’re watching intently to see whether or not Milliron’s conduct modifications transferring ahead.