Add The New York Post on Google A Texas attorney claimed a no-nonsense judge called her out over her “inappropriate” dress in front of her peers and other defendants because the outfit exposed her shoulders.
Mariah Medina, a former San Antonio-based reporter turned defense lawyer, shared the shocking update alongside a photo of the controversial dress that she wore during a two-minute trial announcement docket.
“This is what I was wearing today when a judge said that I was inappropriately dressed for court,” Medina wrote on X Monday, sharing a photo of herself outside the Bexar County Government building.
Medina attended the session, which she said described as a quick in-and-out ordeal, before the judge ordered her to approach the bench for a closer look.
“She had me come around the bench so she could see my outfit… in front of defendants and other lawyers,” Medina said. “She laughed and asked if I really believed that my dress was appropriate for a jury trial… then asked me if I had a blazer in my car.”
The controversial outfit Medina dared to wear to court was a simple gray shift dress from J.Crew that showed off her arms.
“It’s a dress I’ve worn on air countless times and a dress that I have worn to other courts without issue,” she said, revealing she opted for the dress instead of a blouse that allegedly showed more cleavage.
Medina also shared a video of herself wearing the dress when she was still a reporter for a further view of the entire outfit.
“I posted that old video alongside the photo so you could see it wasn’t backless and doesn’t show side boob or anything,” she said.
Medina insisted she complied with the courthouse rules and the judge’s dress code despite the humiliation inside the courtroom.
Bexar County Criminal Court rules state that all attorneys and court officials should wear business attire, but business casual wear is acceptable if allowed by individual judges.
Medina ripped into the judge for her loose interpretation of her own rules.
“Apart from her having her dress code on the doors outside her court (that my dress didn’t violate), it was completely mean spirited and unprofessional to address it in the manner that she did. My case wasn’t even going to trial today, and she, as the judge, knew that,” Medina said.
“She has a list of things that she forbids in court re: attire, but this is not on that list. I grew up in a conservative church and I was truly confused. It’s appropriate length, doesn’t expose cleavage… it’s a J Crew dress for crying out loud, not a Hoochies Anonymous Club,” she added.
The young lawyer blasted the judge but said she would cover up whenever she’s in her courtroom.
“It’s not the hill to die on and I have no problem throwing a coat on in the couple months she has left on the bench after being voted out of office.
The courtroom debacle divided the internet as many sided with Medina, but some ruled against her for the unsuitable fashion choice.
“Is there something wrong with my eyes? I don’t see anything wrong with this dress. Why would this judge say that?” one user asked.
“A shift dress is a shift dress If it’s been acceptable everywhere else, I’d be confused too,” a second comment read.
“If a judge says it’s inappropriate to wear in their courtroom. It’s inappropriate end of discussion,” another said.
“I agree with the judge. He should have held you in contempt and tossed you in jail for 10 days. Then maybe you’d learn to dress.” added another.
Looks like a SECOND Amendment case. Right to bare arms. Nobody pointed that out?” added another comment as Medina posted a video of herself at a shooting range.
“Have been known to bear arms but now may be better known for bare arms?” she said in a Tuesday night post.
