Today, with gratitude to the diligent efforts of Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections Secretary James M. LeBlanc and his staff, Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer circulated to every Louisiana state judge with jurisdiction in criminal cases a “benchbook” to use as a resource in sentencing decisions. Chief Justice Weimer stated, “Because most incarcerated offenders will eventually be released, sentencing requirements during incarceration should be tailored—as much as possible—to reducing the likelihood of committing crimes after incarceration. The safety of our citizens requires this, and incarcerated offenders who can learn strategies to rid themselves of drug addiction or who develop new job skills are key groups who stand to benefit by later transforming themselves into productive members of society.”

The Supreme Court of Louisiana, Office of the Judicial Administrator is requesting statements of qualifications/proposals from qualified attorneys licensed to practice law in Louisiana with a degree or experience in Information Systems interested in serving as an independent legal consultant for the Court Case Management Information Systems (CMIS) office. Statements of qualifications/proposals will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jay B. McCallum administered the oath of office to Katie Jo Miller, Esq., who is the first military spouse attorney to take advantage of the opportunity to practice law in Louisiana under Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XVII, Section 15. This rule, titled Temporary Admission of Military Spouse Attorneys enacted effective September 23, 2022, allows licensed attorney spouses of active-duty military members who reside with their service members in Louisiana to apply for a limited license to practice law.

In recognition of the 66th annual celebration of Law Day, the Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court issued a Resolution commemorating today as Law Day. The Resolution urges and requests “judges of the State of Louisiana to dedicate the month of May 2024 to reaching out to schools to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the law, the role of a judge and the court system from members of the judiciary.” The Law Day 2024 theme is “Voices of Democracy.”

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jay B. McCallum has been appointed by his fellow Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court as the Court's ex officio appointee to the Council of the Louisiana State Law Institute, effective immediately.

Chief Disciplinary Counsel for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board Charles B. Plattsmier announced his retirement effective March 31, 2024. At nearly 28 years of service, Mr. Plattsmier is the longest-serving Chief Disciplinary Counsel in recent history.

The Judiciary Commission of Louisiana announces the election of Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Robin D. Pittman as Commission Chair, and Suzanne H. Stinson as Vice-Chair; the recent appointments of three new members to the nine-member Judiciary Commission: Mr. Lloyd J. Clark of Jefferson Parish, attorney Thomas C. Wicker, IV of Orleans Parish, and attorney David Ardoin of Lafourche Parish; and the appointment of attorney Kelly Blackwell as Judiciary Commission Counsel.

The Louisiana Supreme Court recently accepted an invitation by Loyola University New Orleans College of Law to hold oral arguments on the school’s uptown campus.

Retired Assistant United States Attorney Mary Mudrick has been appointed to serve as judge pro tempore of Shreveport City Court Division C, effective January 8, 2024 through December 31, 2024, or until the vacancy is filled, whichever occurs sooner. The vacancy is the result of the retirement of Shreveport City Court Judge Pammela Lattier on December 31, 2023.

Chief Judge John Michael Guidry of the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal has been elected Secretary-Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal (CCJSCA). His one-year term began Oct. 27 during the CCJSCA Annual Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.