On Monday, August 11, 2025, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished former Hays County Court at Law No. 3 Judge Millie Thompson for multiple violations of judicial conduct standards. The decision followed a review of allegations during a meeting on August 6-7, 2025, where Thompson appeared but declined to testify, citing inability to afford legal representation.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Millie Thompson,” with case number 21-0950.
Thompson, who assumed office on January 4, 2021, in San Marcos, faced scrutiny for actions deemed inconsistent with judicial duties. On January 21, 2021, Thompson responded to an email from Lead Assistant Court Administrator Chris Perez about a misdocketed probate case, threatening termination and accusing Perez of misconduct.
The following day, in a confrontation in her chambers, Thompson accused Perez of lying, yelled at him, and ordered him to leave. When Perez did not comply immediately, she fired him, an incident overheard by Judge Robert Updegrove of County Court at Law No. 1. Perez later reported to Human Resources that Thompson created a hostile work environment.
Further issues arose when Thompson issued a cease-and-desist order and criminal trespass warning against Judges Chris Johnson and Updegrove, barring them and their staff from her office. She alleged they interfered with her authority to appoint staff and manage her court. Thompson also filed a declaratory action lawsuit against the two judges and later included the Hays County Commissioners Court, seeking approval to appoint her own court coordinator. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.
Additionally, Thompson hired a private locksmith to change her office locks at the Hays County Government Center. When confronted by the head of building maintenance about county policy, she issued a written order to change the locks and threatened contempt of court.
Assistant Court Administrator Kyla Crumley Stoddard reported feeling alienated and fearful due to Thompson’s hostile behavior toward staff, describing her work environment as toxic and stressful. Judges Johnson and Updegrove also noted significant workplace disruption caused by Thompson’s actions.
In her written responses to the Commission, she denied creating a hostile environment, claiming her actions were justified to assert her statutory rights and implement fairer court procedures. She accused other judges of using staff to obstruct her changes.
Thompson recused herself from several cases without providing a valid legal basis, violating her duty to hear assigned matters. Thompson stated she recused herself when it was appropriate according to Texas law
The Commission concluded that Thompson violated Canons 3B(1) and 3B(4) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, which require judges to hear assigned cases and maintain patience, dignity, and courtesy. Her actions were also found to breach Article V, Section 1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution, constituting willful conduct that discredited the judiciary.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
