Performance of the City and Parish Courts

Fiscal Year 2017 - 2018

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INTRODUCTION


The Louisiana City Court Judges Association adopted the Strategic Plan of the City and Parish Courts in 2002. The Supreme Court of Louisiana approved the plan the same year. The plan was revised and updated in 2007 and again in 2012; the plan was updated with major changes in 2017. The goals and objectives in the Strategic Plan of the City and Parish Courts are based on the Trial Court Performance Standards as modified by the Louisiana Commission on Strategic Planning for Limited Jurisdiction Courts and the City and Parish Courts Strategic Planning Committee. The survey questions are based on Goal I of the Strategic Plan of the City and Parish Courts 2017-2021: Advance Judicial Competency. The information presented in this report was compiled from responses of the senior or chief judge of each city and parish court to a survey prepared by the Supreme Court Judicial Administrator’s Office and distributed to the city and parish courts.


SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS BY THE COURTS DURING THE PERIOD


SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS BY THE COURTS

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ALEXANDRIA CITY COURT

Alexandria City Court reported that it applied for a grant from the Louisiana Supreme Court to purchase a computer system that will electronically submit reports.

ASCENSION PARISH COURT

Ascension Parish Court reported that it rendered all decisions in a prompt manner and made a conscious effort to NOT take cases under advisement.

BAKER CITY COURT

Baker City Court reported that the in-house security training initiative was a major strategy implemented this year.

BASTROP CITY COURT

Bastrop reported that it worked with the public school system, inviting students to observe civil and criminal proceedings.

BATON ROUGE CITY COURT

Baton Rouge City Court reported that it advanced efforts with acquisition of a new Case Management System and integrated with overall City transition into electronic fiscal process workflows, including electronic submission of operating budget. The court also offset trending decline in revenues with increases in various civil filing fees and enhanced/improved employee lounge to provide more comfort, privacy, and an "internet cafe" atmosphere. The court reviewed and revised workflow processes and procedures for each City Court staff position to ensure effective baseline training and implemented "Language Line Services" at all service counters in the court to better assist communications with patrons with limited English proficiency.

BOGALUSA CITY COURT

Bogalusa City Court reported that it initiated new court room procedures.

BOSSIER CITY COURT

Bossier City Court reported that it changed its procedure so that on arraignment court date, if a defendant pleads not guilty to a simple traffic ticket and does not quality for an attorney, the defendant goes to trial that afternoon. This means the defendant has to take off less time from work and also decreases the docket trial load. This has worked extremely well.

BREAUX BRIDGE CITY COURT

Breaux Bridge City Court reported that it improved security for all individuals attending court proceedings through use of a metal detection system.

BUNKIE CITY COURT

Bunkie City Court reported that a new chief of police came into office this year. The court worked with the new chief's office for a smooth transition.

CROWLEY CITY COURT

Crowley City Court reported that a new phone system was installed in all court offices.

DENHAM SPRINGS CITY COURT

Denham Springs City Court reported that it installed and implemented a new state-of-the-art case management system.

EUNICE CITY COURT

Eunice City Court reported that it should have a paperless criminal docket system in place before the end of this calendar year.

FRANKLIN CITY COURT

Franklin City Court reported it increased the staff of the civil division to handle the increased work load. The court used money from the capital building fund to replace the roof and paint the interior of the courthouse. The court also completed the security system by adding additional cameras.

HAMMOND CITY COURT

The City Court of Hammond implemented an electronic paperless system for the Civil Division. It also implemented text messaging technology to communicate with all persons who have business with our Criminal/Traffic Division, utilizing a grant from the Louisiana Supreme Court.

JEANERETTE CITY COURT

Jeanerette City Court reported that it reduced delays on the trial docket.

JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT

Jefferson Parish First Parish Court reported that it installed new signage throughout the First Parish Court Building to better direct the public.

JEFFERSON PARISH 2ND PARISH COURT

Jefferson Parish Second Parish Court reported that in recent years it has recognized the need to update and improve its building security system. To complete the upgrade of its obsolete surveillance equipment, Second Parish Court purchased and installed new monitors in the Security Monitor room to work in conjunction with the updated video cameras also recently installed. Second Parish Court is currently in the process of purchasing updated x-ray inspection systems to replace the older machines located at the main entrance to the building. While evaluating the need to update its security system, the Court identified a need to educate its employees on the proper procedure to follow in the event of an active shooter situation. Accordingly, the Court hosted an active shooter crisis training course for its employees. The instructor, with the visual aid of a Power Point presentation, offered training on the methods of Run, Hide, Fight as well as See Something, Say Something. It is the hope that no one should have the need for such equipment and training. However, with its updated security system, along with the employee training course, Second Parish Court is better prepared to handle a situation should one arise.

JENNINGS CITY COURT

Jennings City Court participated in Louisiana Supreme Court Forms Committee for Self-Represented Litigants. The committee completed its work by producing self-represented litigant forms which are accessible and used by litigants in our court

LAFAYETTE CITY COURT

Lafayette City Court reported that it has almost finished construction to relocate the court services department, which will increase efficiency and convenience. The court improved court safety by adjusting the magnetometer at the entrance to the court. This adjustment enables the court to detect more objectionable items sought to be brought into the courthouse.

LAKE CHARLES CITY COURT

Lake Charles City Court reported it developed and deployed a modern case management system in conjunction with Microsoft. The civil portion is fully operational and the criminal portion will be going online within two months.

LEESVILLE CITY COURT

Leesville City Court reported that it initiated a procedure to ensure that incarcerated persons are timely arraigned.

NATCHITOCHES CITY COURT

Natchitoches City Court reported that it carried out a continued and aggressive succession plan in training new hires since 2016 in preparation for the retirement of the Judge and Judicial Administrator in the next two years.

NEW IBERIA CITY COURT

New Iberia City Court expanded the use of electronic warrants via Warrant Now with the newly formed New Iberia Police Department. The court also expanded community service programs for the benefit of City Parks and litter abatement.

NEW ORLEANS 1ST CITY COURT

New Orleans 1st City Court reported that it cross-trained its judicial staff.

NEW ORLEANS 2ND CITY COURT

New Orleans 2nd City Court reported that it continued holding its evening docket to make the court more accessible to the public.

NEW ORLEANS MUNICIPAL AND TRAFFIC COURT

New Orleans Municipal and Traffic Court reported that it fully consolidated operations and implemented a combined case management system.

OAKDALE CITY COURT

Oakdale City Court reported that it obtained a metal detector for the courtroom.

OPELOUSAS CITY COURT

Opelousas City Court reported that it installed a payment kiosk in the front lobby to accept cash and credit card payments.

PORT ALLEN CITY COURT

Port Allen City Court reported that it increased security by completion of a sally port for prisoner transport and also updated computer hardware and software.

RAYNE CITY COURT

Rayne City Court reported that it updated the security system and experienced success in the probation program.

RUSTON CITY COURT

Rayne City Court reported that it streamlined criminal and traffic proceedings with software upgrades, allowing for more efficient processing of participants.

SLIDELL CITY COURT

Slidell City Court reported that it installed new criminal case management software and constructed an additional parking facility.

SULPHUR CITY COURT

Sulphur City Court reported that it successfully worked with the city administration to show the need for a new courthouse.

THIBODAUX CITY COURT

Thibodaux City Court reported that it is in the process of installing security devices, such as emergency buttons, on the bench and other locations in the court room and clerk's office.

VIDALIA CITY COURT

Vidalia City Court reported it began taking electronic payments.

VILLE PLATTE CITY COURT

Ville Platte City Court started the process of implementing a new civil and criminal software system.

WINNFIELD CITY COURT

Winnfield City Court reported that it updated and continued to maintain the computer system. The court also streamlined ticket processing and docketing.

WINNSBORO CITY COURT

Winnsboro City Court reported that it implemented a program to inform all 8th graders in Franklin Parish about the importance of setting goals and resisting negative peer pressure. The judge visited every 8th grade class in Spring 2018 and plans to make this annual event.


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