Texas Judge Jared Shaw Suspended After Indictment Over Alleged Unlawful Arrests

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued the suspension against Wilson County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Jared Evan Shaw on October 22, 2026. The order took effect immediately.

Shaw, 55, was indicted October 16. The commission’s order identifies three counts of official oppression and three counts of unlawful restraint, all Class A misdemeanors. The criminal allegations have not been adjudicated.

The indictment names Evelyn Fleming Tolle, Amado Jose Adames Jr. and Leticia Johns. It alleges Shaw knowingly subjected each to an unlawful arrest while exercising his authority as a justice of the peace. Separate counts accuse him of restricting their movements without consent through force, intimidation or deception.

Filed in the 81st/218th Judicial District Court, the indictment lists the alleged conduct as occurring on or about April 7, 2025.

Tolle’s detention had already drawn scrutiny from the judicial commission.

In a public reprimand issued March 9, 2026, the commission found that Shaw ordered Tolle jailed after a proceeding involving her daughter’s school absences. According to the disciplinary findings, the child pleaded true to truant conduct, and Shaw directed Tolle to spend three days in jail without first conducting a show-cause hearing.

Tolle asked to speak with an attorney, but Shaw did not give her that opportunity before ordering her taken into custody, the commission found.

Later that day, Shaw went to the jail and signed a handwritten instruction releasing her. KSAT reported that the release occurred that evening.

In his response to the commission, Shaw said he believed Tolle and her daughter were not taking the proceedings seriously. He also said he believed their family relationship with his chief clerk had led them to expect favorable treatment.

The commission concluded that Shaw had failed to comply with the law and maintain professional competence. It also found that his handling of Tolle’s detention denied her the right to be heard according to law.

Along with the reprimand, the commission required Shaw to complete four hours of instruction with a mentor on judicial discretion, contempt and related procedures.

Shaw declined to discuss his arrest with KSAT on October 22 and referred questions to his criminal defense attorney. The station reported that the attorney did not respond to its request for comment.

The criminal case comes as Shaw seeks another term. He is running unopposed in the November 3 election, according to KSAT.

The suspension will remain in place until the charges are dismissed, Shaw is acquitted of all charges, or the commission issues another order. The commission expressly retained authority to reconsider the suspension if additional information warrants it.