Supreme Court OF

ANNUAL REPORT 2004 of the Judicial Council of the Supreme Court THE SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA From left, Justice Jeannette Theriot Knoll, Justice Jeffrey P. Victory, Justice Catherine D. “Kitty” Kimball, Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr., Justice Bernette J. Johnson, Justice Chet D. Traylor, Justice John L. Weimer

CHIEF JUSTICE JUSTICE JEFFREY P. VICTORY JUSTICE CATHERINE D. KIMBALL PASCAL F. CALOGERO, JR. Second Supreme Court District Fifth Supreme Court District First Supreme Court District Allen, Beauregard, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Jefferson, Orleans, Evangeline, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, West St. Helena, St. Tammany, Vernon and Webster Parishes.* Baton Rouge and West Feliciana Parishes.* Tangipahoa, and Washington Parishes.* JUSTICE JEANNETTE THERIOT KNOLL JUSTICE JOHN L. WEIMER Third Supreme Court District Sixth Supreme Court District Acadia, Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Cameron, Assumption, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. and Vermilion.* James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary and Terrebonne Parishes.* JUSTICE CHET D. TRAYLOR Fourth Supreme Court District JUSTICE BERNETTE J. JOHNSON Bienville, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Seventh Supreme Court District Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jefferson and Orleans Parishes.* Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Rapides, Richland, Tensas, Union, West Carroll and Winn Parishes.* * See Court District Maps on pages 30-31.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The Supreme Court Annual Report is a useful guide to The STATISTICAL DATA section summarizes two-year judicial personnel and contacts throughout the state, as activity trends—in juvenile, civil, criminal and traffic well as an overview of the Court’s progress in 2004. categories—for courts at all levels in the state.

The GUIDE TO LOUISIANA COURTS features a lists of TWENTY–EIGHTH DISTRICT judges, clerks and administrators (complete with contact Parishes Within District Parish Seat Clerk of Court Phone phone numbers, see inset at right) for Courts of Appeal, LaSalle Jena S. H. Crooks (318) 992 2158 Judge Court Administrator Phone District Courts and City and Parish Courts statewide; J.P. Mauffray, Jr., Chief Judge Bobby L. Wilson (318) 992 8391

and maps of electoral districts for the Supreme Court, the TWENTY–NINTH DISTRICT Courts of Appeal, and District Courts. Parishes Within District Parish Seat Clerk of Court Phone The Supreme Court of Louisiana ANNUAL REPORT 2004

OVERVIEW OF ACHIEVEMENTS Message from the Chief ...... 2 Judicial Council & Judicial Administrator’s Office ...... 4 Law Library of Louisiana ...... 7 Louisiana Judicial College ...... 8

Committee on Bar Admissions ...... 9 Office of the Clerk of Court ...... 10 Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board ...... 11 Judiciary Commission of Louisiana ...... 12 Committees and Staff ...... 14

GUIDE TO LOUISIANA COURTS Judges & Clerks Louisiana Courts of Appeal ...... 16 Louisiana District Courts ...... 18 City & Parish Courts of Louisiana ...... 27 Louisiana Court Maps ...... 30

STATISTICAL DATA Statistical Overview ...... 32 Supreme Court of Louisiana ...... 33 Louisiana Courts of Appeal ...... 34 Louisiana District Courts ...... 36 Juvenile and Family Courts ...... 38 Louisiana City and Parish Courts ...... 40 Court Structure ...... 41

For more information on the , its cases, its history, and biographical information about the Justices, visit our Web site, www.lasc.org.

2 MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF JUSTICE

HISTORIC BUILDING SYMBOLIZES TRADITION & PROGRESS

fter over two decades of effort, I am proud to announce A that, in May, 2004, the Louisiana Supreme Court; the Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit; the Louisiana Law Library; and the Judicial Administrator’s Office opened for business in the newly restored Royal Street Courthouse at 400 Royal Street in ’ historic French Quarter.

I was saddened that my friend and light of the ceremony colleague, retired Justice Walter was the keynote address F. Marcus, did not live to see this by Supreme day, having died on April 8, 2004. Court Associate Justice Justice Marcus set the standard for Sandra Day O’Connor. integrity, intellect, and dedication. We will miss him. AN ARCHITECTURAL GEM On October 2, a spectacular This day, more than dedication ceremony was held on a century in the mak- the front steps of the Louisiana ing, was a milestone in Supreme Court Building. Emceed Louisiana history. The by the Honorable Corinne M. Constitutional Conven- “Lindy” Boggs, speakers included tion of 1897-98 included Governor Kathleen Babineaux a provision in the new Blanco, Lt. Governor Mitchell constitution requiring the legis- The newly restored courthouse J. Landrieu, Attorney General lature to provide “suitable and is an architectural gem. It was Charles C. Foti, Jr. (who has an commodious buildings” for the molded, shaped, and polished office in the building), Commis- Louisiana Supreme Court and the by the project’s architects and sioner of Administration Jerry State Library. The governor did contractors, including Pio Lyons; Luke LeBlanc, New Orleans not concur until 1900. It took two Lyons & Hudson; William J. Mayor C. Ray Nagin, LSBA more years, and diligent efforts by Hess, Jr.; Lowry Hess Boudreaux; President Michael W. McKay, and the Louisiana Bar Association, for Rome Architects; Vitetta Group; Louisiana Supreme Court Histori- $575,000 to be appropriated jointly Walter H. Sobel and Associates; cal Society Chairman U.S. District by the State and the City of New Brice Building Company; Johnson Judge Eldon E. Fallon. The high- Orleans. The Royal Street site was Controls; Favalora Construc- chosen, and the building was com- tion; Gootee Construction, Inc.; pleted in 1909. In 1910, the Loui- Asbestos Consultants; and Gibbs siana Supreme Court moved in and Construction Company. The gran- 1908 stayed until 1958, when it relocated ite, marble, and terra-cotta façade, On January 8, the Corner- to a new building at 301 Loyola graced by Ionic columns and rich stone Ceremony is held Avenue. With the passage of time architectural detail, demonstrates for the Royal Street and the increase in litigation and to visitors and citizens alike that Supreme Court Building. administrative staffs, however, the the people of Louisiana value our The design features four Loyola building became cramped, system of justice. floors and 360 windows. cluttered, and inadequate.

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA • Annual Report 2004 MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF JUSTICE 3

The completion of the renova- woman elected to the Court, and has been effective in improving tion would not have been pos- will one day succeed me, making the tenor of judicial campaigns. sible without the assistance of her the first female Chief Justice. Our Drug Court and Children and present and prior Justices of the Also serving on the Court are Families programs are expanding Louisiana Supreme Court; present Justice , and serving more people every year. and prior Judges of the Court of the first African-American woman We have also seen real progress Appeal, Fourth Circuit; Louisiana elected to the Court, and Justice in reforming our juvenile justice Governors , Mike Jeannette Theriot Knoll. Retired system. The following pages of Foster, , Charles Justice Revius Ortique was the first this 2004 Annual Report include E. “Buddy” Roemer, and David African-American justice elected to further information on these, and C. Treen; present and