Texas Lawyer Questions Judge's Scolding Over Dress, Citing Racial Bias Concerns

A Texas lawyer who was reprimanded by a judge for wearing a sleeveless dress to court is now questioning whether racial bias played a role in the scolding. Mariah Medina, 32, told The Post that Bexar County Judge Yolanda Huff, who is Black, admonished her for wearing a sheath dress on a Monday appearance.

Medina has since presented photographs shared by Judge Huff on Facebook in April. These photos show Huff smiling alongside a Black attorney who is also bare-armed, posing at a swearing-in ceremony.

"Evidently it wasn’t the dress," Medina stated. "I don’t know whether my race, whether my age, whether my gender, I don’t know whether any of that played a factor. If it was truly about the professionalism of my attire, I just would expect that it would be enforced across the board and it’s evident here that it wasn’t enforced across the board."

Medina, a former TV news reporter who has been practicing law for just over a year, captured public attention after a video of the encounter went viral. In the footage, Huff referred to Medina's outfit as a "tank top" and questioned if she was "ready for a trial dressed like that," allegedly laughing in front of others in the courtroom.

Following the incident, Medina appeared before a different judge wearing a red dress with sleeves. Despite this, she felt self-conscious entering the courtroom, concerned about public reaction to the widely shared video.

Medina owns the J. Crew sheath dress in question in multiple colors, having purchased them four years ago. While she plans to return to Judge Huff's courtroom in November, she is considering wearing the same dress again, but this time with a blazer. "I would wear this dress again in her court, but with the blazer," Medina said. "I would respect the wishes of the court. I have no intention of defying a judge’s authority."

The Post reached out to Judge Huff for comment.