AUSTIN — The State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) issued a Public Admonition and Order of Additional Education for Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra April 23.
The disciplinary action follows its April 8-9 meeting, where the commission conducted a review of allegations against Becerra, who appeared to testify. According to the SCJC website, public sanctions are issued “when sufficient evidence supports a finding of judicial misconduct.”
After discussion, it was concluded that Becerra had violated two standards of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct:
- Canon 2B: “A judge shall not allow any relationship to influence judicial conduct or judgement. A judge shall not lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others, nor shall a judge convey or permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge. A judge shall not testify voluntarily as a character witness.”
- Canon 4A(1): “A judge shall conduct all of the judge’s extrajudicial activities, so that they do not: cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially as a judge.”
According to documents obtained by the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch, Becerra violated these terms by advertising several personal endeavors on his social media account. For example, the judge posted an advertisement July 27, 2024, about Gil’s Broiler & The Manske Roll Bakery, which is owned by he and his wife’s organization, Becerra Corp. The post stated that, “This is a special post for me — my son is the baker … Whenever possible, I encourage you to support local, however that looks.”
Gil’s has been advertised 12 times out of more than 30 advertisements for local businesses Becerra has posted across his social media. Despite acknowledging familial ties through Becerra Corp. in a written statement, he did not disclose that his son was employed at the restaurant.
This statement also claimed that, “No advertisement was ever made. I always support buying local,” an idea which was furthered by Becerra in his testimony, where he shared that the endorsement of local businesses was with the intent to support the local community as part of his administrative functions.
“He then denied his endorsement of various businesses and people across his social media pages, as well as den[ied] … the prestige of his office to advance the private interests of himself or others,” read the Public Admonition.
The latter statement comes from both the advertisement of Gil’s and Classic Rides on El Camino Real, a monthly car show organized by Becerra. The show, which has historically taken place on the grounds of the Hays County Historic Courthouse, has been operating since 2024 and is owned by his son.
This event was advertised 46 times, according to documents, across his social media.
Classic Rides allowed residents and car enthusiasts to feature classic cars and host vendor booths for $20 on the last Sunday of each month. There were also sponsorships available, ranging from $250 to $1,000. These were accompanied by plaques boasting, “Judge Becerra presents …,” though Becerra later clarified that he never sponsored the awards himself, but only presented them.
The funds, according to SCJC, were allocated to Derek Ortiz of Dapper Cave Barbershop, another business publicly supported by Becerra.
Furthermore, in February 2025, nonprofit Empower Hays was created, listing the directors as Becerra, his wife and son. The organization then requested to use the courthouse grounds for the car show days after its inception, with Becerra’s son listed as the event holder.
In response to the car show, he noted that he helped organize it, but denied use of his courthouse staff in any facilitation. Becerra did share, however, that he did sign one of the courthouse use agreements, but that it was “in compliance with [the] courthouse grounds use agreement.”
The judge also stated that Ortiz did in fact receive funds, though only to pay for the expense of the show.
He added that the car show is no longer running and he has stopped any posts regarding local businesses to his social media.
“Becerra denied Becerra Corp. and Empower Hays having any current or past involvement in any of the private businesses referenced … [nor that] his financial and business dealings regarding Becerra Corp. and/or Empower Hays reflected adversely on his impartiality or interfered with the proper performance of his judicial duties,” stated SCJC.
Despite this assertion from Becerra, SCJC found that the Hays County judge should receive the lowest severity of public sanction — public admonition — as well as obtain additional education as a result of:
- Lending the prestige of his office to advance the private interests of himself and others by advertising local businesses on his social media pages
- Casting reasonable doubt on his capacity to act impartially as a judge when he endorsed various local businesses on his social media pages, invocation of Canons 2B and 4A(1) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct
Becerra must obtain two hours of instruction with a mention in the area of social media and the judiciary. This is in addition to his required annual judicial education for fiscal year 2026, read the order. He must complete the hours within 60 days from the date of written notification of the assignment of a mentor.
In response to the complaint, the judge took to social media to address constituents from his personal account: “I have always believed in supporting our local businesses and community organizations and my intent was never to advertise or provide special treatment to any individual business. The posts and events referenced were meant to highlight places and activities, where I personally spend my time and to encourage community engagement across Hays County. What is being claimed is that because I preside over license suspension hearings as a judge, I can somehow be biased because of posts I have made regarding community events and local places. That conclusion seems unrealistic to me and does not reflect how I approach my judicial responsibilities.”
“I respectfully disagree with the Commission’s findings and did not believe my actions constituted advertising. I take the responsibilities of public service seriously and I remain committed to serving the residents of Hays County with integrity, fairness and transparency. At this time, I plan to appeal these findings and will continue cooperating fully through the process,” said Becerra.
