On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded Judge Franklin Bynum of County Court at Law No. 8 in Houston. This decision followed a review of allegations concerning his conduct during formal proceedings initiated against him by the Commission.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Franklin Bynum,” with case number 23-0186.
The Commission’s findings stemmed from a series of events that began on June 4, 2020, when the Harris County District Attorney’s Office (HCDAO) filed motions to recuse Judge Bynum from 87 cases. This action was prompted by an email from the judge requiring Assistant District Attorneys to appear in person during jail docket hearings amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commission initiated formal proceedings against Judge Bynum on July 5, 2022, and subsequently requested his suspension. In response, Judge Bynum submitted a written reply and testified before the Commission on June 7, 2023. During his testimony, he asserted that Presiding Judge Susan Brown had informed him of a conversation with Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, who allegedly expressed a desire for Bynum to be removed from the bench.
Judge Bynum also filed a motion to recuse Chief Justice Hecht from the proceedings, claiming the Chief Justice was a fact witness in the case. However, Judge Brown refuted Bynum’s allegations about their conversation, stating that no such discussion occurred and that she did not relay any sentiments from Chief Justice Hecht regarding Judge Bynum’s position.
On September 7, 2022, the Houston Chronicle published an article detailing Judge Bynum’s response to the suspension request, reinforcing his claim that Judge Brown had spoken to Chief Justice Hecht about wanting him removed. This public statement added to the scrutiny surrounding his actions.
In its investigation, the Commission found that Judge Bynum’s assertions regarding communications with Judge Brown and Chief Justice Hecht constituted willful conduct that discredited the judiciary. The Commission noted that Bynum’s behavior was inconsistent with the judicial standards outlined in Article V, Section 1-a(d) of the Texas Constitution, which mandates that judges avoid actions that could undermine public confidence in the judicial system.
The Texas Supreme Court denied Judge Bynum’s motion to recuse Chief Justice Hecht on June 21, 2023, further complicating his legal standing. The Commission concluded that Bynum’s statements during the proceedings were false and damaging to the integrity of the judiciary.
The reprimand issued by the Commission is part of its ongoing efforts to maintain public trust in the judicial process. The Commission emphasized that such actions are necessary to promote accountability among judges and to uphold the standards expected of those in judicial positions.
This public reprimand serves as a formal acknowledgment of Judge Bynum’s misstatements and highlights the importance of ethical conduct within the judiciary. The Commission’s decision underscores its commitment to scrutinizing judicial conduct and ensuring that judges adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
