Transgender Lawyer Arrested During Custody Hearing in Oklahoma

A recent custody hearing in Ada, Oklahoma, took an unexpected turn when a transgender attorney was arrested and forcibly removed from the courtroom. This incident, which unfolded last month, involved attorney Rob Hopkins, who found himself in trouble during a routine detention hearing in Pontotoc County, situated about an hour and a half southeast of Oklahoma City.

According to surveillance video and body camera footage reviewed by Fox News Digital, the situation escalated when Hopkins engaged in repeated arguments with Judge Lori Jackson. This back-and-forth ultimately led to Hopkins being jailed for contempt of court.

During the confrontation, witnesses observed Hopkins resisting arrest, sprawled out across the judge’s bench, inadvertently knocking papers to the floor. “You’re hurting me!” he shouted at the bailiffs, followed by an intense “I can’t breathe!”

Those present in the courtroom watched in silence as he struggled against the handcuffs, and one bystander even voiced feeling threatened by him.

As the hearing was disrupted, Hopkins accused the judge of discrimination due to his transgender identity, which heightened tensions. “That’s because I’m a transgender lawyer who practices across the state,” he sharply responded. Judge Jackson, seemingly taken aback, remarked that she “didn’t know who he was.” Later, she acknowledged her own actions were inappropriate.

Just a short while later, chaos erupted in the courtroom as bailiffs moved in. “Please don’t hurt me!” Hopkins yelled while being restrained. He protested vocally, throwing himself onto a bench, before being pushed down to the floor by officers.

Body camera footage shows more officers arriving to assist in the situation as Hopkins’s cries drew a crowd in and around the courtroom. Amid his distress, he called out for a female officer and demanded they contact 911. “I can’t breathe!” he reiterated, while also asserting that the officers had carelessly thrown his glasses to the ground.

As the officers attempted to escort him out, he insisted they put his glasses back on his face and continued to shout demands for contact. This frantic episode unfolded amidst a gathering crowd, illustrating the chaos that had ensued.

In light of this incident, Hopkins shared that he has since closed his law firm. However, he has yet to respond to requests for comments concerning the legal situation or the closure of his practice.