HARRIS COUNTY, TX – A federal lawsuit and newly issued community alert by Dr. Candice Matthews allege multiple civil rights violations inside the Harris County court system, including allegations that a woman was wrongfully detained by both her attorney and the presiding judge during a felony criminal proceeding.
The individual at the center of the lawsuit has requested anonymity due to concerns over alleged doxxing, harassment, and reported death threats. Dr. Matthews, a nationally recognized civil rights advocate, issued a public alert following a civil rights investigation into the allegations.
According to the federal complaint, the plaintiff alleges she was denied the ability to hire and retain counsel of her choosing, despite the attorney being privately hired and paid by her rather than appointed by the state. She further alleges she was prevented from discharging that attorney at will and from representing herself. The complaint also alleges she was blocked from filing motions, reviewing discovery, and engaging in confidential communications with other attorneys, and that these actions resulted in her unlawful detention.
The underlying charge involved an allegation of theft of more than $300,000 worth of diesel fuel.
Named defendants in the federal civil rights complaint include Judge Denise Collins and attorney Carl A. Moore. Both Collins and Moore are alleged to have wrongfully detained the plaintiff during the proceedings. The lawsuit alleges coordinated misconduct that violated the plaintiff’s constitutional rights.
The civil complaint cites alleged violations of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Judge Collins was previously the subject of a judicial conduct complaint in 2014 after an incident in which criminal defense attorney Cheryl Irvin alleged that Collins unlawfully detained her in court when she attempted to speak with her client in custody. Irvin refused to apologize and was eventually released after other attorneys intervened. At the time, Irvin claimed Collins’ actions constituted official oppression. That account was first reported by Houston Press on October 30, 2014.
An exclusive interview from Dr. Matthews is expected next week with additional details related to the case.
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