Harris County, Texas, surrounds Houston. It is one of the largest cities in the United States, usually about fourth on the list after New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. I have been to each, and the eating in Houston is superior by at least an order of magnitude. But I digress.
A judge in Harris County drew some attention in April 2025 when confronted by technology. Who has not had such a tech challenge? Years ago, comedian W.C. Fields warned that you should "never work with children or animals." It is good advice; they can be unpredictable and unmanageable. Tech is frustrating, and more so for us older Americans.
I have taken to likening the same to technology, by addition, "Never work with children, animals, or technology." If given the choice, pick the animals or children over the tech. I cannot count the times PowerPoint, Windows, projectors, and more have left me in a panic on stage.
But the fact is that "all mechanical things eventually fail." Who knows who said that, but I can testify to its accuracy.
The judge in Harris County, Nathan Milliron, was caught on video in April. It is not flattering. I have repeatedly cautioned that cameras are everywhere. Assume Everyone is Watching (September 2015). Cameras are ubiquitous, generally. Everyone knows they are in courtrooms. Even Judges know that.
This video went viral, or approached it. KPRC Houston says it depicts a "tense exchange" between the judge and a young "IT worker helping with courtroom ... technical issues."
The tech specialist is "guiding the judge through adjustments" and "makes a light remark." Perhaps trying to lighten the mood, or to ease his own discomfort at the situation.
The judge "responds sharply, telling him not to joke and ultimately ordering him to leave the courtroom." The judge then proceeds to call "for the worker’s supervisor and express() anger over the situation."
The story reflects that there has been "concern within the legal community," but does not cite particular sources or other incidents. One local attorney felt compelled to contact the judge about the depiction. The attorney suggested:
“I hope you issued him an apology for the way you treated him. I hope you were just having a bad day and this is not your typical judicial temperament.”
That is excellent advice. Find me a judge who has never lost their temper, spoken intemperately, or lost their cool. If there are any, I do not believe they are common. Judges are not perfect; they are human. Expectations can be high, pressures mount, and lapses will happen. When they do, acknowledgement and apology can go a long way to recover the appropriate judicial demeanor and environment.
The judge's response in this setting was to summon the attorney to chambers. The judge apparently accused the communication above of being "ex parte," meaning it was made without the inclusion of other parties or attorneys. But the attorney who sent the message says he has no cases before Judge Milliron, and "does not plan to comply with (the) order" to appear before the judge.
Perhaps the order to appear, the "summons," was appropriate? Or, perhaps some will see that reaction as a continuation of the ill temper that began the situation on video? The summons date and time came and went without further mention or judicial action, as the media watched. The coverage was not overtly flattering. Social media response has been similar.
The controversy has led to further inquiries from the media. There is mention of prior interactions between the judge and staff and a discussion of the state's Commission on Judicial Conduct. It is unfortunate that the interactions occurred. We must strive to control our temper.
More importantly, when one loses their temper, the best course forward is admission, contrition, and apology. Everyone has bad days. Know that. Know you will not always meet the stress and pressure with aplomb; apologize and move on. See Don't Double Down (June 2017).