Bexar County Commissioners Approve Reflejo Court Funding Despite Judge's Indictment

Specialty court for domestic violence offenders defended by graduates despite allegations against presiding judge

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Just five days after Bexar County Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez was indicted for allegedly ordering a defense attorney to be handcuffed, graduates of the Reflejo Court, a specialty court she founded, defended the program and the judge at a Commissioners Court meeting. The commissioners unanimously approved a $273,000 state grant to fund the Reflejo Court, which allows first-time domestic violence offenders to have their charges dropped after completing drug treatment.

Why it matters

The Reflejo Court has existed for six years and provides a second chance for offenders through a compassionate approach, but the indictment of the presiding judge has raised questions about the program's future. The commissioners' decision to approve funding despite the allegations against Speedlin Gonzalez suggests continued support for the court's mission and approach.

The details

The Reflejo Court is a specialty court that allows first-time domestic violence offenders to have their charges dropped after completing a year of close court supervision and drug treatment. The court is largely funded by grants from the criminal justice division of the Texas governor's office. At the Commissioners Court meeting, a dozen people spoke in defense of the program and Speedlin Gonzalez, who founded and presides over the court. They argued that the court provides redemption, healing, and a second chance for participants. The commissioners maintained that they never planned to stop the state from funding the court, and they approved the $273,000 grant unanimously.

  • Speedlin Gonzalez was indicted on February 3, 2026.
  • The Commissioners Court meeting where the Reflejo Court funding was discussed took place on February 8, 2026.

The players

Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez

The judge for Bexar County Court-at-law No. 13 who founded and presides over the Reflejo Court. She was recently indicted for allegedly ordering a defense attorney to be handcuffed in court.

Reflejo Court

A specialty court in Bexar County that allows first-time domestic violence offenders to have their charges dropped after completing drug treatment and a year of close court supervision.

Bexar County Commissioners Court

The governing body of Bexar County, Texas, which unanimously approved a $273,000 state grant to fund the Reflejo Court.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It provides a second chance to all who work hard to earn it. It provides redemption through accountability. It provides healing through compassion. I ask that you not defund Reflejo Court because we all deserve a second chance. We deserve redemption. We deserve compassionate justice.”

— Teri Benavidez, Office assistant for the Reflejo Court (expressnews.com)

“I have a feeling that there are a lot of people that see through the timing of this indictment right before an election, and it will backfire. It will backfire very badly.”

— Tommy Calvert, Precinct 4 Commissioner (expressnews.com)

What’s next

The state agency that oversees allegations of judicial misconduct will decide whether to suspend Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez from the bench while the indictment against her is pending.

The takeaway

The Reflejo Court's continued funding despite the indictment of its presiding judge underscores the program's strong community support and its perceived value in providing a compassionate approach to domestic violence offenders. However, the judge's legal troubles raise questions about the court's long-term stability and leadership.