Judge Kelli Johnson has officially resumed her duties as the elected judge of the 178th District Court, her attorney confirmed Wednesday.
Judge Johnson’s return comes six months after she took a medical leave to recover from a head injury she suffered from a fall on a motor scooter in Feb. 2024.
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Her attorney, Chris Tritico, said Johnson began “experiencing physical and behavioral changes in the months that followed and was diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome—a treatable brain injury that can mimic symptoms of physical and mental disorders."
He also confirmed that Johnson’s return followed a full medical recovery from the injury and the formal dismissal of an investigation by the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct.
“This has been the most difficult period of my life. I’m incredibly grateful to my family, friends, and supporters who stood by me throughout my recovery. Your encouragement gave me the strength to focus on healing and return to the work I love,” Judge Johnson said in the statement.
Since being elected in 2016, Judge Johnson has presided over several high-profile trials, including the cases of A.J. Armstrong, David Temple, and Brian Coulter.
Last year, Judge Johnson made headlines several times after she was pulled over by a Houston Police Department officer in June 2024 and charged with DWI. That charge was later dismissed.
But that wasn’t Johnson’s first offense, before the June incident, she was allegedly pulled over in a separate incident by a Harris County Sheriff’s Officer but not charged.
Then, months later, Johnson’s long-time court reporter, Gail Rolen, spoke with KPRC 2 reporter Rilwan Balogun and told him that she had filed a complaint against the judge. Although Gail did not specify a reason, she said the judge was “completely out of control and no one knows what to do but watch her self-destruct.”