On Monday, May 12, 2025, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded Bexar County 45th Civil District Court Judge Mary Lou Alvarez following an investigation into her judicial actions.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Mary Lou Alvarez,” with case numbers 22-1347, 24-0448, 24-0508, and 24-0625.
The commission, tasked with ensuring public trust in the judiciary’s integrity, independence, and competence, released a report on last week detailing multiple allegations against Alvarez stemming from cases she presided over.
The investigation, initiated in early April, found that Alvarez exceeded her authority in several instances. One notable accusation involved Alvarez violating the Texas Constitution by directing the Department of Family Protective Services to submit a written offer for a child’s placement to specific agencies.
The commission’s findings also highlighted a 2022 family law case in which Alvarez acted independently to remove an attorney from the case without a formal request from either party. When the attorney sought reconsideration, Alvarez denied the motion. The Fourth Court of Appeals later overturned her rulings in this case, citing improper actions.
The appeals court’s decision, issued on June 12, 2022, required Alvarez to vacate her rulings within 10 days. However, records indicate she did not comply until July 20, 2022, missing the deadline by nearly a month. Alvarez stated to the commission that she was unaware of the need to act within the specified timeframe. In total, the Fourth Court of Appeals reversed all or parts of 19 cases presided over by Alvarez, pointing to consistent issues in her judicial decisions.
Retired Fourth Court of Appeals Justice Patricia O’Connell Alvarez reported concerns about Judge Alvarez’s conduct, describing it as a disregard for mandatory legal precedents and an overreach into legislative powers. The retired justice emphasized an ethical duty to report these issues, which contributed to the commission’s scrutiny.
In response to the reprimand, Alvarez issued a statement denying the allegations, describing them as baseless. She expressed respect for the commission’s authority to issue rulings and chose not to appeal its decision. Alvarez reaffirmed her commitment to adhering to the law, maintaining high judicial standards, and serving Bexar County’s residents. She emphasized her dedication to prioritizing the best interests of children, particularly vulnerable foster children, in her court’s rulings.
On the same day as the reprimand, Alvarez announced her campaign for re-election to the 45th Civil District Court. Elected as a Democrat in 2018, her current term is set to conclude in 2026.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
