Performance of the City and Parish Courts

Fiscal Year 2014 - 2015

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GOAL 4: TO MAINTAIN JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE, WHILE OBSERVING THE PRINCIPLE OF COMITY IN ITS GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC.


Objective

4.1 To maintain the constitutional independence of the judiciary while observing the principle of cooperation with other branches of government.

Intent of the Objective

The judiciary must assert and maintain its independence as a separate branch of government. Within the organizational structure of the judicial branch of government, courts should establish their legal and organizational boundaries, monitor and control their operations, and account publicly for their performance. Independence and accountability support the principles of a government based on law, access to justice, and the timely resolution of disputes with equality, fairness, and integrity, and they engender public trust and confidence. Courts must control their proper functions and demonstrate respect for their coequal partners in government.

Responses To Objective

  1. Actions taken in FY 2014-2015 to maintain judicial independence while observing the principle of cooperation with other branches of government.

QuestionIdQuestionStatementResponse
857674911What actions, if any, did your court take in FY 2014-2015o maintain judicial independence while observing the principle of cooperation with other branches of government?Actions taken in FY 2014-2015 to maintain judicial independence while observing the principle of cooperation with other branches of government.
(Hover on the chart for more information and click on the chart to see which courts chose that response.)
Actions taken in FY 2014-2015 to maintain judicial independence while observing the principle of cooperation with other branches of government.
Additional actions taken by the courts to address this objective
BATON ROUGE CITY COURT
The court regularly communicated with departments of the city-parish government related to financial, purchasing, and other court operations, coordinating the sharing of required information and adherence to local and state purchasing and financial policies and procedures. The court provided performance measures and statistical information related to performance and workload. The court participated with the local bar association and law enforcement on community outreach initiatives, such as Law Day and radio shows conducted, as well as other informational communications related to the court and its operations.
CROWLEY CITY COURT
The judge continued a very good relationship with local officials, including the Chief of Police, Mayor, Sheriff, Assessor, local State Representatives, and District Court Clerk of Court, and did not hesitate to contact any of them if an issue arose which involved the court.
FRANKLIN CITY COURT
The court worked with the mayor and parish president to inform them of the court's structure, operation, costs, and expenses. The court participated in intergovernmental development to ensure cooperation between the city and parish on the payment of court operational expenses.
JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT
The court held periodic Parish Court Judges meetings in which judges and administrators worked to establish uniformity between the policies of Jefferson First and Second Parish courts.

Also, through the establishment of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement by and between First Parish Court and the Parish of Jefferson, the court maintained its constitutional independence of the judiciary while lending full cooperation to Jefferson Parish Government. This spirit of cooperation ensured that fair payroll and best accounting practices were provided to the court by allowing parish government to serve the court in paymaster and accounting capacities. The uniformity created by this cooperation was mutually beneficial to both entities.

In addition, First Parish Court judges and staff worked with the offices of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff, Clerk of Court, and District Attorney to provide timely and efficient service to the public. All entities made changes as the court continued to improve its system.
JEFFERSON PARISH 2ND PARISH COURT
To reduce overhead expenses, the court, through a cooperative endeavor agreement, utilized Jefferson Parish's payroll, purchasing, and accounting departments.
JENNINGS CITY COURT
The judge held regular discussions with the mayor and police chief regarding detention issues, while clearly defining the court's role in sentencing and detention activities.
LAFAYETTE CITY COURT
The court continued to build a web site that will allow other branches of government to obtain information relevant to their activities such as the ability to reflect execution of warrants, with a review by court staff, within 48 hours, generally much less. The court also continued the capacity to order warrants using a web-based system.
RAYNE CITY COURT
The judge and mayor met on a regular basis to maintain a relationship between the judicial and the executive branches of government.
SPRINGHILL CITY COURT
Springhill City Court provided the city with community service workers.
SULPHUR CITY COURT
The judge met with city and parish officials regarding upgrading and maintaining judicial facilities.
ResponseResponse_Court
Additional actions taken by the courts to address this objective10 courts (BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, CROWLEY CITY COURT, FRANKLIN CITY COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 2ND PARISH COURT, JENNINGS CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, RAYNE CITY COURT, SPRINGHILL CITY COURT, SULPHUR CITY COURT)
Continued to address this objective through the actions indicated below, or implemented the following new actions in FY 2014-2015 to address this objective as indicated below:47 courts (ALEXANDRIA CITY COURT, ASCENSION PARISH COURT, BAKER CITY COURT, BASTROP CITY COURT, BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, BOGALUSA CITY COURT, BOSSIER CITY COURT, BREAUX BRIDGE CITY COURT, BUNKIE CITY COURT, CROWLEY CITY COURT, DENHAM SPRINGS CITY COURT, EUNICE CITY COURT, FRANKLIN CITY COURT, HAMMOND CITY COURT, HOUMA CITY COURT, JEANERETTE CITY COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 2ND PARISH COURT, JENNINGS CITY COURT, KAPLAN CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, LAKE CHARLES CITY COURT, LEESVILLE CITY COURT, MINDEN CITY COURT, MONROE CITY COURT, MORGAN CITY COURT, NEW IBERIA CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 1ST CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS MUNICIPAL COURT, NEW ORLEANS TRAFFIC COURT, OAKDALE CITY COURT, OPELOUSAS CITY COURT, PLAQUEMINE CITY COURT, PORT ALLEN CITY COURT, RAYNE CITY COURT, RUSTON CITY COURT, SHREVEPORT CITY COURT, SLIDELL CITY COURT, SPRINGHILL CITY COURT, SULPHUR CITY COURT, THIBODAUX CITY COURT, VIDALIA CITY COURT, VILLE PLATTE CITY COURT, WEST MONROE CITY COURT, WINNFIELD CITY COURT, WINNSBORO CITY COURT, ZACHARY CITY COURT)
Continued to communicate, coordinate and cooperate with the other branches of government46 courts (ALEXANDRIA CITY COURT, ASCENSION PARISH COURT, BAKER CITY COURT, BASTROP CITY COURT, BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, BOGALUSA CITY COURT, BOSSIER CITY COURT, BREAUX BRIDGE CITY COURT, BUNKIE CITY COURT, CROWLEY CITY COURT, DENHAM SPRINGS CITY COURT, EUNICE CITY COURT, FRANKLIN CITY COURT, HAMMOND CITY COURT, HOUMA CITY COURT, JEANERETTE CITY COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 2ND PARISH COURT, JENNINGS CITY COURT, KAPLAN CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, LAKE CHARLES CITY COURT, LEESVILLE CITY COURT, MINDEN CITY COURT, MONROE CITY COURT, MORGAN CITY COURT, NEW IBERIA CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 1ST CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS MUNICIPAL COURT, NEW ORLEANS TRAFFIC COURT, OAKDALE CITY COURT, OPELOUSAS CITY COURT, PLAQUEMINE CITY COURT, PORT ALLEN CITY COURT, RAYNE CITY COURT, RUSTON CITY COURT, SHREVEPORT CITY COURT, SLIDELL CITY COURT, SULPHUR CITY COURT, THIBODAUX CITY COURT, VIDALIA CITY COURT, VILLE PLATTE CITY COURT, WEST MONROE CITY COURT, WINNFIELD CITY COURT, WINNSBORO CITY COURT, ZACHARY CITY COURT)
Did not address in FY 2014-20155 courts (ABBEVILLE CITY COURT, MARKSVILLE CITY COURT, NATCHITOCHES CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 2ND CITY COURT, PINEVILLE CITY COURT)
Used outreach programs to promote judicial independence and protection of the rule of law10 courts (BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, CROWLEY CITY COURT, EUNICE CITY COURT, FRANKLIN CITY COURT, HAMMOND CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, LAKE CHARLES CITY COURT, MONROE CITY COURT, SLIDELL CITY COURT, VILLE PLATTE CITY COURT)

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