Harris County judge faces backlash after berating court IT worker on video

A viral clip from the Harris County Civil Courthouse put District Judge Nathan J. Milliron under sharp scrutiny after he berated an IT worker during a courtroom audio issue in the 215th District Court. In the video, Milliron told the employee, “Don’t joke around,” and later, “Get out of my courtroom,” before the exchange spilled into a broader debate over how a judge uses authority inside Harris County’s courts.

The clip appeared to come from a court livestream and showed a tense back-and-forth over an audio or computer problem. The beginning of the interaction was not captured, but the worker reportedly said the fix would take only a few seconds. After the employee left, Milliron was heard off-camera saying, “Find his supervisor. Jesus Christ. Sick and tired of this bullshit today.” Milliron later claimed on Facebook that “the video has been edited.”

Milliron was elected to the 215th District Court in the November 5, 2024 general election, defeating incumbent Elaine H. Palmer. He assumed office on January 1, 2025, and his term runs through December 31, 2028. The episode has since followed him beyond the courtroom, with hundreds of comments posted under the clip and additional footage circulating online that appears to show similar behavior.

The backlash deepened after Houston attorney James Stafford emailed Milliron to say he hoped the judge apologized to the employee. Milliron responded by accusing Stafford of ex parte communication and ordering him to appear in court on April 9, 2026, to discuss the matter. Stafford did not appear that day, and Milliron did not take action against him.

The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association then publicly condemned Milliron’s conduct. President Brent Mayr said the judge treated the court employee in an inappropriate and humiliating manner and warned that the episode could set a frightening precedent if judges retaliate against lawyers who speak up about judicial conduct. The dispute has pushed the issue of courtroom power into public view, with lawyers and court observers focused on how a Harris County judge treats staff who work under his authority.

Separate scrutiny also grew after Texas Ethics Commission records showed Milliron delinquent on two filings, his campaign finance report and personal financial disclosure, with civil penalties of $1,000 and $500. The Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct said it had taken no public disciplinary action against him. Together, the video, the ethics issues and the response from the local defense bar have turned a single courtroom confrontation into a wider test of confidence in Harris County’s judiciary.