Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has acknowledged he violated his own “Stay Home Stay Safe” order he enacted in spring that was in effect from March 24 to April 13.

The order states that “all persons may leave their residences only for essential activities,” in which non-compliant individuals will be held liable.

“This Stay Home Stay Safe Order is a legal order that must be followed by all persons located in Williamson County, Texas. Failure to comply with this Stay Home Stay Safe Order shall be a criminal offense punishable by fine that does not exceed $1,000 or confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days,” the FAQ section of the order clearly stated. 

This required people to stay away from conducting non-essential activities outside their residences, holding public and private gatherings including going to places of worship. In April, Gravell was photographed going to his grandson’s birthday, which is neither an essential activity nor a governmental function.

The judge pleaded guilty to violating his own order and was charged with a $1,000 fine, The Texas Tribune reported. 

“While I carry the heavy public burden of guiding the policies that best protect our citizens, I am also a husband, father and grandfather,” the judge said in a statement. “It was in this role that I visited my 5-year-old grandson on his birthday. Pawpaw Bill made an error in judgment that County Judge Gravell deeply regrets.”