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Harris County Judge Takes No Action After Ordering Critic to Court

The standoff underscores weak public checks on elected judges in Texas.

Lawyers and members of the media wait outside the locked 215th District Court in Houston on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
A bailiff opens the door of the 215th District Court. Judge Nathan Milliron had told criminal defense attorney James Stafford to appear before him after Stafford raised concerns about the judge's behavior. 
A bailiff opens the door for lawyers and members of the media at the 215th District Court. Judge Nathan Milliron had told criminal defense attorney James Stafford to appear before him after Stafford raised concerns about the judge's behavior. 
The bailiff opens the door for lawyers and members of the media to the 215th District Court on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Overview

  • Judge Nathan Milliron, who ordered attorney James Stafford to appear Thursday, took no action when Stafford stayed away.
  • More than a dozen lawyers, including members of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, filled the courtroom to back Stafford and observe.
  • The defense group called the email summons unlawful overreach and said Stafford’s message was protected speech under the First Amendment.
  • Stafford’s note followed a March video of Milliron snapping at a court IT worker, which the judge labeled improper ex parte contact even though no case was before him.
  • Milliron has not apologized, and the lawyers’ group says it will keep watch as complaints move through a confidential state process that seldom produces quick discipline.