A Texas criminal court judge had a pointed exchange with a woman who was pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury, after the woman used a racial slur in her explanation to officers. The exchange, which took place in front of Texas District Judge Stephanie Boyd, went viral after a YouTube video of the interaction surfaced online.
The Courtroom Exchange
In the video, the woman explains to Judge Boyd that she used the term “n—r knocking” in reference to an incident where a child allegedly knocked on her door and ran away. This phrase was highlighted in the police report, and Judge Boyd questioned why the woman used a racial slur to describe the act.
“Why is it n—r knocking?” Judge Boyd asks, prompting an uncomfortable pause.
The woman responds, “That’s what they call it,” while shrugging her shoulders, as if to suggest it was a common expression.
Judge Boyd, however, presses the issue further. “Why isn’t it Caucasian knocking, why isn’t it Asian knocking, why is it some other knocking? Why is it called that?”
The woman continues to shrug, stating, “I don’t know, that’s just the way they say it.”
Judge Boyd firmly responds, “No, that’s the way you say it because that’s what you said.”
Apology and Explanation
As the conversation continues, the woman attempts to explain that she did not mean the term to be racist and clarifies that she was simply frustrated by children knocking on her door. She insists that she didn’t physically assault any child and doesn’t want to be convicted of something she didn’t do.
When Judge Boyd suggests moving forward with a jury trial, the woman objects and begins speaking emotionally about the stress caused by the murder of her son two years prior. She expresses a desire to quickly resolve her assault case and finish her probation.
The judge also questions the race of the victim, and the defense attorney confirms the victim is Hispanic.
The judge then points out another part of the police report stating that the woman appeared intoxicated during the alleged assault. Boyd pushes further, seeking to understand the full context of the situation so that she can properly set the conditions for the woman’s probation.
Defendant’s Apology
Caught off guard by the judge’s direct questioning, the woman says, “I’m sorry, you caught me off guard with the question that you asked me.” She then expresses feeling “set up” by the question but acknowledges that she understands the word is offensive and apologizes for using it.
“I feel kinda set up with that question, I understand it’s not a word to be used and I understand I used it in a wrong way, and I apologize for that, so I’m sorry,” she says.
Verdict and Consequences
Judge Boyd concludes the proceedings by imposing several conditions for the woman’s probation. These include a $500 fine, community service, anger management classes, sober meetings, and compliance with certain employment conditions and prohibitions.
Judge Boyd’s Viral Courtroom Moments
This is not the first time Judge Boyd has gone viral for her courtroom actions. In the past, she has made headlines for scolding a woman over her court attire and for criticizing a man who brought his child to a sentencing hearing, accusing him of using his child as a tactic to gain sympathy for a lesser sentence.
Judge Boyd’s direct approach in court has earned her both praise for holding defendants accountable and criticism for her tough stance in certain cases. Regardless, her courtroom exchanges continue to garner attention online, with many praising her for not shying away from difficult or uncomfortable questions.