Texas Judge Agrees to Resign After Being Caught Texting Assistant DA Instructions During Trial

"Third generation" judge

Elizabeth E. Coker may forever be known as the "texting judge," but her notoriety will soon be all that is left of her days on the bench of the 258th District Court of Polk, Trinity, and San Jacinto Counties. Coker signed an "AGREEMENT TO RESIGN FROM JUDICIAL OFFICE IN LIEU OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION" with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

According to the terms of the agreement, Coker was to send a formal letter of resignation to Governor Rick Perry on Monday, stating her resignation will be official December 6. Until then, she has agreed to take a leave of absence, and will cease to perform any duties connected with her position. As of December 6, the third-generation Texas judge is officially and permanently stripped of all judicial power, and is even prohibited from performing a wedding.