Former news reporter Mariah Medina was fuming after a judge publicly shamed her for wearing an ‘inappropriate’ grey dress that exposed her shoulders in court
A stunning attorney was left humiliated after a judge publicly shamed her for wearing an “inappropriate” dress in front of a packed court. Former news reporter Mariah Medina had turned up to court in San Antonio, Texas, for a quick two-minute hearing when she was called out by the strict judge.
Her crime was daring to show her shoulders in a classic grey J.Crew outfit. The glamourous lawyer revealed she was ordered to step up to the bench so the judge could inspect her attire in front of other legal professionals and defendants.
Taking to X to blast the incident, Medina wrote: “This is what I was wearing today when a judge said that I was inappropriately dressed for court.”
Recalling the uncomfortable confrontation, Medina said: “She had me come around the bench so she could see my outfit…in front of defendants and other lawyers.
“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.”
Defending her fashion choice, the legal eagle insisted the shift dress was completely modest and far better than her other options.
“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, adding that she had chosen it over a top that showed more cleavage.
To prove her point, the former TV star posted an old video of herself wearing the exact same outfit while working on air.
She told her followers: “I posted that old video alongside the photo so you could see it wasn’t backless and doesn’t show side boob or anything.”
Courtroom rules for the Bexar County Criminal Court state that lawyers must wear business attire, though individual judges can permit business casual. Medina slammed the judge for singling her out despite following the official guidelines.
She said: “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. 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.”
Despite the fierce row, the attorney admitted she will bite her tongue and wear a jacket next time she steps foot in that specific courtroom.
She said: “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.”
Social media users quickly locked horns over the wardrobe debate, with opinion sharply divided online.
One supportive follower said: “Is there something wrong with my eyes? I don’t see anything wrong with this dress. Why would this judge say that?”
Another backed her up, writing: “A shift dress is a shift dress. If it’s been acceptable everywhere else, I’d be confused too.”
However, critics backed the strict judge’s stance. One posted: “If a judge says it’s inappropriate to wear in their courtroom. It’s inappropriate end of discussion.”
A second harsh commentator 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.”