Two Democrat judges in Harris County have been publicly sanctioned by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Both are running for re-election in the November 2026 general election.
The SCJC released its orders late Tuesday, issuing a public warning to Judge Melissa Morris and a public admonition and order of additional education to Judge Steve Duble.
Judge Melissa Morris
Judge Melissa Morris of the 263rd District Court in Houston has been publicly warned for multiple instances of judicial misconduct.
Notably, Morris was found to have improperly issued discharge orders in four cases in which the defendants had pleaded guilty to a sex crime involving a child—requiring them to register as sex offenders.
According to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, “The judge may dismiss the proceedings and discharge a defendant before the expiration of the period of deferred adjudication community supervision … except that the judge may not dismiss the proceedings and discharge a defendant charged with an offense requiring the defendant to register as a sex offender under Chapter 62.”
In response to the SCJC’s investigation, Judge Morris “acknowledged erroneously issuing the Discharge Orders, explaining she believed it ‘would be saving the county time, money and resources.’”
Shortly after sentencing, each of the defendants in the four cases were deported back to their home country.
During hearings to reconsider the discharge orders, Assistant District Attorney Ryan Kent represented the State. In December 2024, Morris sent an email to Kent that included the Texas Lawyer’s Creed—alleging a lack of professionalism and disrespect on Kent’s part.
She concluded the email by stating, “Please renew your commitment to professionalism … as I am certain that [District Attorney Sean Teare] does not celebrate prosecutors who behave in a manner inconsistent with the mandate of respect and integrity.”
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office was included in the email.
In her response to the SCJC, Judge Morris reportedly “denied she failed to be patient, dignified and courteous towards Kent in sending the Kent Email, clarifying it was not meant as a threat but a reminder of the requirements of professionalism in the courtroom.”
In a separate instance, Morris admittedly breached grand jury secrecy by forwarding an email chain from a member of law enforcement, featuring a request pursuant to grand jury subpoena. The chain was forwarded to the defendant’s attorney as well as Assistant District Attorney Barbara Phillips.
Judge Morris told the commission this was a single mistake made as a “novice jurist trying to ensure that [she] was not violating [her] rules of ethics by having [e]x [p]arte communications.”
Morris reportedly “denied any of her actions were made in bad faith, the result of bias, or that they cast public discredit upon the judiciary.”
The commission disagreed, finding that Judge Morris should be publicly warned for “failing to comply with and maintain professional competence in the law” and failing “to be patient, dignified, and courteous towards Kent when sending the Kent Email.”
“Judge Morris’ failures in the foregoing respects constituted willful and persistent conduct that is clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of her duties and cast public discredit on the judiciary or on the administration of justice,” concluded the SCJC.
In 2025, Morris made headlines for reportedly showing “animosity” toward domestic violence victims, including allegations that she “applauded and laughed after a not guilty verdict.” Prosecutors began pushing to have her removed from such cases.
Judge Morris assumed office in January 2023. She is currently running for re-election, as her current term ends on January 1, 2027. She advanced from the Democrat primary in March and is being challenged in the November 3 general election by Republican Jason Campo.
In 2022, Morris defeated Republican opponent Amber Cox with just 51.5 percent of the vote.
Judge Steve Duble
The SCJC also publicly admonished Judge Steve Duble on Tuesday, ordering he receive additional education. Duble serves as the Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2.
In two separate cases, Judge Duble was found to have signed orders terminating receivership “without providing notice to any of the parties or conducting a hearing.” Receivership is a legal remedy in which a court appoints a neutral third party—the receiver—to manage the liquidation of a business or property.
Kasey Bozhuk, a court-appointed receiver, served in the matters until the debts were satisfied.
“In his written responses, Judge Duble admitted that no notice was provided and no hearing was held regarding the Orders Terminating Receiverships in the Cruz and Smith Cases,” wrote the SCJC. “Judge Duble stated that he now recognizes that before termination of a receivership he should provide notice to the creditor, debtor, and receiver and a hearing should be held so that all may have the opportunity to be heard.”
There were also several cases in which Judge Duble reportedly failed to conduct personal property exemption hearings within the 10-day period required by the Texas Rule of Civil Procedure.
According to the commission, “Judge Duble admitted he ‘dropped the ball’ on seven cases wherein he failed to timely hear the protected property exemption claim during his first six months in office and on three cases during his predecessor’s term that he failed to set in a timely manner.”
“However, Judge Duble denied failing to comply with the law and maintaining professional competence in the law by stating, ‘the failure to conduct hearings had nothing to do with ignoring or not understanding the law. It was an oversight during my initial chaotic months in office,’” the SCJC continued.
The commission therefore ordered Duble to receive additional education.
“Pursuant to this Order, Judge Duble must obtain two (2) hours of instruction with a mentor, in addition to his required annual judicial education for Fiscal Year 2026. In particular, the Commission desires that Judge Duble receive: two (2) hours of this additional education in the areas of timely execution of the business of the court and Protected Property Claims,” reads the order.
Judge Duble must complete the additional instruction within 60 days from the date of written notification of the assignment of a mentor.
Duble also assumed office in January 2023 and is currently running for re-election. He faces no Republican challenger in the November 3 general election.
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