On November 21, 2022, the State of Texas Special Court of Review affirmed the portion of the Commission decision on June 9, 2022, to Publicly Reprimand and Order Additional Education against a State Court Judge, but they have set aside any requirement for the respondent to complete additional education.
This case is about judicial misconduct charges filed against Lee Harper Wilson, a judge on the Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 10. The case is styled as ‘In the matter of Hon. Lee Harper Wilson’ with Case number #22-0002.
The judge was charged with violating Canon 2(a) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct which states:
A judge shall comply with the law and should act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct received a complaint against Judge Wilson and the Commission investigated. It found that Judge Wilson violated Canon 3B(8) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct. It issued a Public Reprimand and Order for Additional Education.
Judge Wilson sought a review of the Commission’s decision by trial de novo to a special court of review. The Commission prepared a charging document; it alleged that Judge Wilson violated Canons 2A, 3B(2), 3B(8), and Article V, section 1-a(6) A of the Texas Constitution. At the trial de novo, Judge Wilson testified to his actions and his reasons for them. Having considered the evidence, the court found that Judge Wilson violated Canon 2A. The court affirmed on Canon 2A grounds, the public reprimand imposed by the Commission, but they set aside the requirement for additional education.
The filing states:
“The Commission argues Judge Wilson’s lack of professional competence was demonstrated by his rejecting Lang’s guilty plea and his attempts to replace Pham. We agree that Judge Wilson erred in both matters, but the evidence does not show that Judge Wilson lacked a basic ability or sufficient knowledge of the law to properly conduct the trial. Rather, the evidence shows Judge Wilson’s strong desire to get Lang “a better result” and” overrode his professional competence.”
The Judge earned a law degree from Texas Southern University in 1980.
The Judge’s courtroom is located at 201 Caroline Street, Houston, Texas 77002. His bio can be found on Texasbar.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
