The Harris County District Attorney's office has asked criminal Court-at-Law Judge Reagan Helm to remove himself from two family violence cases because of “deep-seated bias and prejudice.”

In motions filed Thursday, prosecutors said Helm has a history of making inappropriate comments to assistant district attorneys, victims and defendants.

“These comments also signal to the victims and the community that Judge Helm believes that family violence cases are simply escalated domestic disputes, ‘stupidly' initiated and wasting his time,” according to the motions.

Prosecutors cited five specific cases and what they called a general pattern of admonishing men accused of family violence that the women who are accusing them have them “by the balls.”

Helm called the allegations “ridiculous” and said he would not recuse himself.

“If I ever say something like that, it's hyperbole. It's something that doesn't mean anything,” Helm said. “I handle my court the same way everyone else handles their court.”

In one case, according to Thursday's motions, Helm phoned a woman who wanted an emergency protective order. Sitting at the bench, Helm asked how she would pay for groceries and take care of her children without her husband. “He looks like a real killer to me. You're telling me you are afraid of him?” Helm is alleged to have said.

The case was dismissed after the wife refused to participate in the prosecution.

Three of the cases cited were dismissed after accusers recanted or refused to cooperate. Two are pending. In another, Helm allegedly told a defendant accused of threatening his wife, “It's a disaster. You married a disaster.”

In two other cases, prosecutors said, Helm expressed his irritation at ordering motions for emergency protective orders then removing them when victims recant.

Prosecutors also said Helm refused to sign off on a 2008 plea deal after a man pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend. The man's attorney disputed the allegation Thursday, saying Helm did not act inappropriately.

If Helm refuses to recuse himself, prosecutors could ask for a hearing from an administrative judge to rule on the request. Typically a tool of the defense, prosecutors rarely request recusals.

Prosecutors were tight-lipped Thursday about why they chose to file the motions now. Donna Hawkins, assistant district attorney and office spokeswoman, would only say that prosecutors anticipate presenting evidence in support of the motion during a formal proceeding.

A 68-year-old Republican, Helm has presided over Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 1 since 2002.

There are 15 Harris County criminal court-at-law judges, who are elected to four-year terms. They preside over misdemeanor criminal cases and appeals of misdemeanor cases from municipal and justice of the peace courts.

brian.rogers@chron.com