Texas judge Nathan Milliron orders attorney to appear in court after criticizing him for berating IT worker in viral video

A recent incident involving Harris County Judge Nathan Milliron has sparked controversy after a video of him berating an IT worker went viral. The video captured a tense exchange between Milliron and the technician, who was assisting him with a computer issue in his courtroom. In the video, Milliron can be seen losing his cool after the worker referred to the problem as a “false alarm.” Despite the technician’s attempt to lighten the mood by calling it a “false negative,” Milliron abruptly thanked him and ordered him out of the courtroom.

Following the incident, attorney James Stafford reached out to Milliron via email, expressing his hope that the judge would apologize for his behavior. In response, Milliron accused Stafford of engaging in “ex parte” communication and ordered him to appear in court. Ex parte communication is when one party in a legal proceeding contacts a judge without the knowledge of the other parties involved. Stafford defended his actions, stating that he was simply exercising his freedom of speech by addressing what he considered offensive behavior in the courtroom.

Despite the backlash, Milliron’s status as an elected judge protects him from disciplinary action by local court administrators. Judge Rabeea Collier, the civil court’s administrative judge, released a statement acknowledging the video and reaffirming the court’s commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace and upholding the integrity of the judicial process.

In a separate incident, a second video emerged showing Milliron losing his temper with a defense attorney during a court hearing. In the video, Milliron abruptly cuts off the attorney mid-explanation, accusing her of wasting his time. He then orders her to be removed from the courtroom and threatens to have her “cuffed” if she does not comply.

Milliron has served on the bench in the 215th District Court since January 2025. While his behavior has sparked outrage, his position as an elected judge limits the options for addressing his conduct. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect in the courtroom, regardless of the circumstances.