A teen disrupted proceedings at the Bexar County Juvenile Justice Center by resisting bailiffs, causing a brief scuffle.
SAN ANTONIO — A routine morning at the Bexar County Juvenile Justice Center took a chaotic turn when a teen awaiting his court appearance resisted bailiffs’ orders, sparking a brief scuffle that brought the proceedings to a halt.
A KENS 5 news team was inside the courtroom at the time and said the teen’s case hadn’t yet been called when bailiffs told him to stop communicating with his mother in the gallery. Court rules prohibit anyone in the audience from speaking to or signaling defendants while court is in session.
When the teen refused to comply, bailiffs attempted to escort him out, leading to a brief struggle.
The teen’s mother began shouting at court staff, claiming they were violating her son’s rights. At one point, she yelled, “Statutes, codes, rules, and regulations are not law! The Constitution is the supreme law of the land!”
Bailiffs eventually escorted the woman out of the courtroom and later, out of the courthouse entirely.
Court personnel could not confirm whether the teen or his mother would face any charges for the disruption. Once order was restored, officials said the teen was taken to a secure holding area to continue his hearing and because juvenile court proceedings are private, it’s unclear whether the judge ordered the teen detained.
Typically, teens who are detained return for another hearing within ten business days.