On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly warned Judge Stephanie Boyd of the 187th Criminal District Court in San Antonio, Bexar County. The warning stems from a review of allegations concerning her conduct during court proceedings and her engagement on the court’s YouTube channel.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Stephanie Boyd,” with case numbers 24-0058 & 26-0278.
The commission’s findings detailed Judge Boyd’s actions during two separate cases. In the case of State of Texas v. Willberth Villamil, Judge Boyd intervened in the plea bargaining process after rejecting a plea agreement. She asked the defendant if he was willing to accept a 20-year prison sentence offered by the court and remarked that the case was “a ‘life-sentence worthy case.'” This action was found to be an improper insertion into plea negotiations.
Further concerns were raised regarding Judge Boyd’s conduct during a probation revocation hearing in State of Texas v. Thomas Henson. While live-streaming the proceedings on the court’s YouTube Channel, Judge Boyd made comments to the defendant, Thomas Henson, about the potential consequences of going to prison. She stated, “So it appears that you want to go to prison to be passed around for cigarettes or dessert. Because that’s what’s going to happen to you. Because you’re young. And they will think you are attractive at the prison.”
She continued with graphic descriptions of potential sexual assault in prison, linking it to the defendant’s appearance and the possibility of commissary money from his family. The commission concluded that these remarks, made during a pending proceeding, suggested a probable decision and demonstrated bias and prejudice, failing to maintain a dignified and courteous demeanor.
The commission also noted Judge Boyd’s participation in extrajudicial activities on the court’s YouTube Channel, including hosting a book club and allowing real-time comments from viewers about proceedings and participants. While Judge Boyd stated she no longer engages in these activities, the commission found her overall conduct to be willful and persistent, inconsistent with proper judicial duties, and casting public discredit on the judiciary.
The public warning was issued for failing to comply with the law, maintain professional competence, and for exhibiting impatience, discourtesy, bias, and prejudice. Judge Boyd’s public comments on pending proceedings through the YouTube channel were also cited as a violation.
The commission’s action was taken to promote confidence in and high standards for the judiciary, in accordance with Article V, Section 1-a(8) of the Texas Constitution.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
