Criminal District Court Judge Stephanie Boyd, who presides over the 187th Criminal District Court in San Antonio, was issued a public warning by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The commission found that her conduct in multiple cases and on her court’s YouTube channel violated judicial standards.

Conduct Violations

Boyd livestreamed proceedings on the court’s YouTube channel and engaged with viewers outside of court business. She also hosted a book club on the court’s YouTube channel, allowing real-time comments and messages about court proceedings and participants.

The commission cited Boyd’s conduct during a July 2023 plea hearing involving defendant Willberth Villamil. Investigators found Boyd improperly inserted herself into plea negotiations after rejecting a plea agreement, and asking whether the defendant would accept a 20-year prison sentence offered by the court.

A second complaint centered on an October 2024 probation revocation hearing involving defendant Thomas Henson. The commission found Boyd directed a court reporter to go “off the record,” while the livestream continued, and made remarks suggesting the defendant could be victimized in prison.

Boyd told the commission she never reviewed or relied on viewers’ comments or messages when making judicial decisions and maintained that her rulings were based solely on the evidence and the law.

Commission Findings

The commission found Boyd failed to maintain professional competence in the law, failed to be patient and courteous toward defendants, performed judicial duties with bias or prejudice, and made public comments about pending or impending proceedings in a manner that could suggest how she might rule in a case.

The commission determined the conduct constituted willful and persistent behavior inconsistent with the proper performance of judicial duties and cast public discredit on the judiciary and administration of justice.

Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.