Courtroom Catastrophe: Seattle's Trans Public Defender's Outfit Raises Eyebrows And Tempers

By Alan Hume | Saturday, 06 April 2024 12:00 PM
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Courtroom Catastrophe: Seattle's Trans Public Defender's Outfit Raises Eyebrows And Tempers

Six left-leaning activists, including Iris Bordman, faced arraignment on Thursday for causing a disturbance at a Seattle City Council meeting.

Their demand was for lawmakers to provide housing for undocumented immigrants. Stephanie Mueller, Bordman's public defender, drew attention for her unconventional courtroom attire, which included full makeup, black leather pants, and a revealing blue top.

Mueller, a 70-year-old transgender woman and father of two, was accepted by those present in court, despite criticism for her choice of clothing. Video footage from the courtroom shows Mueller interacting professionally with her fellow public defenders.

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Post-arraignment, Mueller, previously known as Stephan W. Mueller, spoke with local journalist Jonathan Choe. "I just met her," Mueller said of Bordman. "She's really nice. She's really smart. She sounds like she's got the right idea about things, I really support what she's up to and I think she's fabulous."

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Choe questioned Mueller about Bordman's arraignment for criminal trespass, but Mueller insisted on her client's innocence. Mueller declined to reveal Bordman's next court date to Choe.

The Daily Mail reports that Mueller has over two decades of legal experience, much of it in the conservative town of Vashon. "Everywhere I go, people are friendly and polite. In the courtroom, the issue has never once arisen – as should be the case," Mueller stated.

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Reflecting on her transition, Mueller said, "Four years ago I had no idea how everybody would respond and I really wondered if a jury would take me seriously or worse, if someone on a panel would be offended by my appearance."

However, some critics have voiced their disapproval of Mueller's courtroom attire. One user wrote, "How in the hell is the public defender allowed to show up to court like that?! The judge would immediately throw them out for that attire in any of the courts I've been to. The level of disrespect and narcissism is nauseating."

Another user added, "He's mocking women and mocking the court. No female lawyer would ever dress this way for court or be allowed to for that matter."

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