P R E S S R E L E A S E 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Mark Thiessen, HCCLA President
(713) 864-9000 or email: Mark Thiessen
or Grant Scheiner, TCDLA President
(713) 783-8998 or email: Grant Scheiner
HCCLA and TCDLA Jointly File Judicial Misconduct Complaint on Harris County Judge Ramona Franklin, 338th District Court
HOUSTON, TX — The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (“HCCLA”) is the largest local criminal defense bar in the United States, with more than 700 active members engaged in the defense of citizens accused of criminal acts. HCCLA has, for over 50 years, stood for criminal justice, criminal justice reform, and against government and judicial overreach.
The Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (“TCDLA”) is the largest state association for criminal defense attorneys in the nation with over 3,200 members. TCDLA’s purpose is to protect and ensure by rule of law and protect those individual rights guaranteed by the Texas and federal Constitutions in criminal cases; to resist the constant efforts which are now being made to curtail such rights; to encourage cooperation between lawyers engaged in the furtherance of such objectives though educational programs and other assistance; and through such co-operation, education, and assistance, to promote justice and the common good.
Today, HCCLA and TCDLA jointly filed a formal complaint with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct against Judge Ramona Franklin, Judge of the 338th District Court of Harris County, Texas for violating the Canons of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct. More specifically, Judge Franklin has repeatedly and illegally revoked defendants’ bonds right after they were released from custody and, worse, illegally denied them bail in violation of the United States and Texas Constitutions.
While many judges have been criticized for their decisions to release defendants on bail — individuals who are presumed innocent and legally entitled to bail — Judge Franklin has operated beyond the opposite end of the law, acting in a repeated, unlawful manner by revoking defendants’ bonds for no valid, legal reason. These individuals and their families spent their hard-earned money to secure their release so that they may fight their charges. Then, only making things worse, she then illegally ordered that they are to be held indefinitely without bail.
One individual sat in the Harris County Jail for 269 days after Judge Franklin illegally revoked his bond and put him back in custody back in November of last year. A little over two weeks ago, an appellate court found that Judge Franklin violated the law by doing so and ordered his immediate release. Despite this ruling, Judge Franklin continued to act in violation of the law by revoking other defendants’ bonds and denying them bail altogether.
The Commission on Judicial Conduct, pursuant to their lawful authority, will investigate the complaint and decide whether to take appropriate disciplinary action, including issuing sanctions, censures, suspensions, or recommendations for removal from office.
In the meantime, HCCLA and TCDLA will continue to monitor Judge Franklin’s actions, as well as other judges who decide to violate their obligations to comply with and be faithful to the law and act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
For further inquiries and interviews, contact Mark Thiessen at (713) 864-9000 or Grant Scheiner at (713) 783-8998.
View or Download Formal Complaint:
Hell yeah!
This is wrong and to prevalent. Comal likes to increase bail upon indictment . It same situation, individual had made bail and complied with all conditions.
Maybe we could arrest some judges and let then suffer through booking
The other Harris County District Judge’s names and the criminal court they preside over should also be publicly released giving all Harris County defendants the opportunity to file a formal complaint with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct as a fair and impartial due process.
The other Harris County District Judge’s names and the courts they reside over should also be publicly released giving all Harris County indigent defendants the opportunity to file formal complaints with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Misconduct as a fair and impartial due process. I was barred and escorted down a hallway of a public Harris County Criminal Family Law Building and not allowed into a public Harris County courtroom by Harris County [Judge Erica R. Hughes] and her baliff shortly after being elected on the bench without being served any form of court citation or contempt of court by this judge which is another form of abuse of Judiciary overreach. I voted for this judge in 2016 prior to ending the “straight ticket” vote in Harris County. I feel that this election process allowed several Harris County District judge’s to be elected that were not otherwise qualified for their public elected positions. Judge Erica R. Hughes and I are former church members. This has given me a very different outlook on voting for public elected officials and the service that they provide to our communities.
I am going through a somewhat similar court process. I have no legal representation due to illness and drastic cut in work hours. My Pretrial has been reset 4 times since aug 30 2021. I still have not recieved a court appointed attorney after my request and was told the judge has to assign me one. I was given a court appointed lawyer Ridrigo at my arrainment, I have no priors and the majestrate at the arraignment refused a PR Bond and had to pay 2,500 cash bond. All other defendants were interviewed after arraignment and released with papers and court orders except me. i was released with verbal orders to appear 3 days to pretrial. I had to request to bailiffs and other officers in the release area to please find someone who has my instruction release forms. 2 hrs later i had them. Pretrial my judge changed my Majestrates bond orders to pre trial probation with drug and ETOH testing , calling in every morning for drug and ETOH testing when this charge has absolutely nothing to do with any drugs or ETOH.
The story gets worse i hired a law firm at first and they pulled a no show and took my money leaving me in the wolfs den alone and now . i dont know what else to do my next pre trial is next month 4/5/22 and I need help!!!!