Former Burnet County Judge James Oakley officially stepped down from office on January 2, 2025, following a series of high-profile scandals that marred his tenure. Oakley’s resignation comes in the wake of a public reprimand by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) and the reinstatement of criminal charges by the Texas Third Court of Appeals. His departure marks the end of a controversial era for Burnet County’s judiciary but leaves a legacy of legal and ethical questions.
Public Reprimand: SCJC’s Condemnation of Oakley’s Actions
The SCJC issued a scathing public reprimand against Oakley on December 11, 2024, detailing violations of courthouse security protocols and numerous allegations of sexual harassment. This reprimand followed months of investigation into complaints by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Lisa Whitehead and others, whose testimonies painted a troubling picture of misconduct and abuse of authority.
Compromising Courthouse Security
The SCJC’s findings revealed that Oakley had disregarded Judge Whitehead’s repeated concerns over security in her courtroom, which was located near an unsecured public entrance. In November 2022, Whitehead requested permission to keep the courtroom door locked when not in use, citing specific incidents that raised safety concerns. Instead of addressing these concerns, Oakley ordered courthouse maintenance staff to disable the door’s locking mechanism.
When Whitehead continued closing the door for security reasons, Oakley escalated the situation further by having a hole drilled into the floor and installing an eyebolt to secure the door open indefinitely with a combination padlock. These actions, taken without consulting courthouse security officials or law enforcement, left the courtroom open to public access even when unstaffed.
The Texas Office of Court Administration (OCA) intervened, conducting a security assessment that confirmed Whitehead’s concerns were valid. Their report recommended the removal of Oakley’s modifications, reinstatement of the lock, and closure of the courtroom when not in use. Oakley dismissed these findings, claiming such measures were unnecessary for a courthouse built in 1936. The SCJC described his actions as reckless, compromising courthouse safety and undermining Whitehead’s authority.
Pervasive Sexual Harassment Allegations
The SCJC also found credible evidence of sexual harassment by Oakley. Judge Whitehead described numerous incidents, including inappropriate comments and physical contact. One alarming episode involved Oakley sitting silently in Whitehead’s darkened courtroom without announcing his presence, startling her when she discovered him. On other occasions, Oakley made suggestive remarks about Whitehead’s office carpet, asking whether she and her husband had broken it in yet. At community events, he reportedly rubbed Whitehead’s leg and commented on her boots, actions described by witnesses as intentional and inappropriate.
Multiple women corroborated similar behavior, detailing a pattern of harassment that extended to courthouse employees and members of the public. Many feared retaliation, particularly after Oakley appointed Sara Ann Luther—a close political ally and the wife of Burnet County Commissioner Jim Luther—as Human Resources Director. Luther’s presence likely discouraged women from reporting harassment, as her appointment was seen as a shield for Oakley. Luther later resigned in October 2023 after the Texas Attorney General ruled her appointment likely violated nepotism laws.
The SCJC concluded that Oakley’s conduct violated judicial canons requiring professionalism, impartiality, and respect. His actions created a hostile work environment and brought discredit upon the judiciary.
Criminal Charges: Appeals Court Reverses Dismissal
Oakley’s legal troubles were magnified by the Texas Third Court of Appeals’ November 14, 2024, decision to reinstate three criminal charges that had been dismissed by a lower court. These charges—tampering with evidence, official oppression, and abuse of official capacity—stem from a 2021 motor vehicle collision and Oakley’s broader conduct as a public official.
Tampering with Evidence
The tampering charge alleges that Oakley removed a car bumper from the scene of a motor vehicle collision to obstruct an ongoing investigation. The prosecution argued that this act was an intentional effort to impair evidence in violation of Section 37.09 of the Texas Penal Code. The trial court initially dismissed the charge, citing insufficient detail in the indictment. However, the appeals court ruled that the indictment sufficiently described Oakley’s actions, noting that whether the “thing” tampered with qualifies as evidence is a matter for trial, not pretrial dismissal.
Official Oppression
The official oppression charges center on Oakley’s alleged mistreatment of an individual involved in the collision investigation. Prosecutors claim Oakley made false statements to law enforcement and abused his position to interfere with the case. The appeals court found the allegations detailed enough to proceed, rejecting Oakley’s argument that the charges lacked clarity.
Abuse of Official Capacity
The abuse of official capacity charge relates to Oakley’s tenure on the Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) board, where he allegedly received compensation in violation of Section 39.02 of the Texas Penal Code. The law prohibits public officials from leveraging their positions for personal financial gain. Oakley’s defense argued that the indictment failed to specify how his role violated the law. The appeals court disagreed, noting the indictment explicitly referenced Section 171.009 of the Texas Local Government Code, which bars public officials from compensated service on certain boards. The court’s ruling affirmed that Oakley’s actions warranted further legal scrutiny.
The appeals court emphasized the importance of holding public officials accountable, stating that the allegations, if proven, represented significant breaches of public trust.
A Controversial Legacy
James Oakley’s nearly decade-long tenure as Burnet County Judge will likely be remembered more for its controversies than its achievements. His resignation and the pending criminal cases now cast a long shadow over his legacy. If convicted, Oakley could face significant legal consequences, including imprisonment and permanent disqualification from holding public office.
Looking Forward
Oakley’s resignation closes one chapter but opens another, as the county and its residents grapple with the fallout of a scandal that has shaken their government to its core.
As Burnet County moves forward, the immediate priority is to restore stability and public trust. The Commissioners Court’s choice of an interim judge will be critical in setting the tone for the county’s recovery. Meanwhile, the criminal proceedings against Oakley will keep the spotlight on Burnet County’s judicial system and its handling of accountability.
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