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 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.”
