Performance of the District Courts

Fiscal Year 2014 - 2015

Back

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, district 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. Further, they engender public trust and confidence. Courts must both control their proper functions and demonstrate respect for their co-equal partners in government.

Responses To Objective

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

✖
QuestionIdQuestionStatementResponse
857691206What actions, if any, did your court take in FY 2014-2015 to maintain the constitutional independence of the judiciary while observing the principle of cooperation with other branches of government?Actions taken in FY 2014-2015 to maintain the constitutional independence of the judiciary 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 the constitutional independence of the judiciary while observing the principle of cooperation with other branches of government.
Refresh Charts
Additional actions taken by the courts to address this objective
4th JDC
The 4th JDC continued to head up the Criminal Case Policy Board. The Board, which consists of all area justice partners, meets four times per year. Representatives of each justice agency also serve on working groups or committees of the Board, including the Technology Committee, Courthouse Security Committee, Felony Workgroup, Misdemeanor Workgroup and Space Planning. These committees allow for the free flow of information and help all agencies to address any issues that arise. It also aids greatly in the free flow of financial difficulties and the monitoring of pending problems to avoid reoccurrence.

To help educate students and teachers alike, several of the 4th JDC judges visited schools and talked about the structure of our government, emphasizing the role of the three branches. In particular, they made it clear that the decisions of the United States Supreme Court are the supreme law of the land and must be followed. The judges also participated in the Judges and Lawyers in the Classroom Program and were particularly active during Law Week and Constitution Week.
14th JDC
The court spoke to various area groups on government and scheduled regular meetings with all agencies involved with court system: the clerk of court's office, the sheriff's office, the office of the public defender, and the local bar association and it's numerous committees.
15th JDC
The 15th JDC created a Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee. Through this committee, the court implemented procedures which have increased collections of fines and court costs; increased court appearances through a telephone reminder system; reduced delays in arraignment and trial of defendants held in jail; and set up a committee of varied partners in the community to work on the issue of the mentally ill within the criminal justice system.
16th JDC
The 16th JDC reported that the judges communicated and cooperated on a regular, ongoing basis with parish governments, the district attorney, the clerks of court, the sheriffs, and local staff of the Department of Correction. The judges also regularly participated in the local Council of Government meetings and hosted meetings with legislators to promote better judicial/legislative branch relations.

The judges participated in the Supreme Court’s Chamber-to-Chamber program, with legislators and members of the area’s Chamber of Commerce, and invited special guests to regularly scheduled judges’ meetings to address the judges regarding specific concerns or events.

Family court hearing officers were also involved in community outreach activities, such as local and state bar associations and related law education programs, domestic violence shelter programs, law enforcement education programs, and community partnerships and education.
17th JDC
The court renewed the Intergovernmental Courthouse Security Agreement, involving parish government, the sheriff's office, and the Clerk of Court.
19th JDC
The court invited many other "stakeholders," such as the District Attorney, the Public Defender, and staff from the probation and parole department, to judges' meetings
22nd JDC
The court partnered with other agencies to form the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee for our judicial district. The CJCC engages in monthly meetings.

The court continued to participate in the development of Safe Haven, a St. Tammany Parish government project directed to establish a multi-faceted response to mental illness. Further, the court entered and continued participation in Cooperative Endeavor Agreements with St. Tammany Parish government, the Washington Parish Clerk of Court, the District Attorney, and the Public Defender's Office, to provide services to the court and community.

All of the court's judges served on a host of local, regional, state and national organizations and served as speakers at CLEs and other community meetings. Also, the court and the 21st JDC participated in the annual legislative dinner to inform local legislators of issues facing the court.
26th JDC
As they do every year, the judges and court administrator of the 26th JDC met with members of the Bossier Parish Police Jury, Webster Parish Police Jury, and local legislators. The judges and court administrator also attended quarterly meetings of elected officials and heads of local businesses in Bossier Parish. These meetings were led by the Bossier Parish Sheriff.
29th JDC
The court participated in monthly courthouse security committee meetings to coordinate safety and security for the courthouse. The committee is comprised of representatives from the offices of the District Attorney, Sheriff, Registrar of Voters, Emergency Operations Center, Parish President, Clerk of Court, and Parish Council.
32nd JDC
The judges of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes sponsor a yearly luncheon for themselves, area legislators, First Circuit Court of Appeal judges, and Supreme Court justices. Representatives of the Supreme Court Judicial Administrator's Office and the Louisiana District Judge's Association attend the luncheon to discuss proposed legislation and other issues of importance.
40th JDC
The court invited the public to the annual Law Day ceremony, incorporating the issues of judicial independence and cooperation with other branches of government.
Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court
Judges of Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court continued to serve on the Children and Youth Planning Board. Also, the judges continued to be active in the Louisiana District Judges Association, reviewing legislation that may affect judicial independence and/or the judicial system.
Orleans Parish Civil District Court
The court continually strove to maintain its integrity and independence. The court embraced opportunities to perform community outreach.
ResponseResponse_Court
Additional actions taken by the courts to address this objective13 courts (4th JDC, 14th JDC, 15th JDC, 16th JDC, 17th JDC, 19th JDC, 22nd JDC, 26th JDC, 29th JDC, 32nd JDC, 40th JDC, Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court, Orleans Parish Civil District 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:48 courts (1st JDC, 2nd JDC, 3rd JDC, 4th JDC, 5th JDC, 6th JDC, 7th JDC, 8th JDC, 9th JDC, 10th JDC, 11th JDC, 12th JDC, 13th JDC, 14th JDC, 15th JDC, 16th JDC, 17th JDC, 18th JDC, 19th JDC, 20th JDC, 21st JDC, 22nd JDC, 23rd JDC, 24th JDC, 25th JDC, 26th JDC, 27th JDC, 28th JDC, 29th JDC, 30th JDC, 31st JDC, 32nd JDC, 33rd JDC, 34th JDC, 35th JDC, 36th JDC, 37th JDC, 38th JDC, 39th JDC, 40th JDC, 42nd JDC, Caddo Parish Juvenile Court, East Baton Rouge Family Court, East Baton Rouge Juvenile Court, Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court, Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, Orleans Parish Juvenile Court)
Continued to communicate, coordinate and cooperate with the other branches of government48 courts (1st JDC, 2nd JDC, 3rd JDC, 4th JDC, 5th JDC, 6th JDC, 7th JDC, 8th JDC, 9th JDC, 10th JDC, 11th JDC, 12th JDC, 13th JDC, 14th JDC, 15th JDC, 16th JDC, 17th JDC, 18th JDC, 19th JDC, 20th JDC, 21st JDC, 22nd JDC, 23rd JDC, 24th JDC, 25th JDC, 26th JDC, 27th JDC, 28th JDC, 29th JDC, 30th JDC, 31st JDC, 32nd JDC, 33rd JDC, 34th JDC, 35th JDC, 36th JDC, 37th JDC, 38th JDC, 39th JDC, 40th JDC, 42nd JDC, Caddo Parish Juvenile Court, East Baton Rouge Family Court, East Baton Rouge Juvenile Court, Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court, Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, Orleans Parish Juvenile Court)
Did not address in FY 2014-20150
Used outreach programs to promote judicial independence and protection of the rule of law16 courts (2nd JDC, 6th JDC, 9th JDC, 10th JDC, 12th JDC, 16th JDC, 22nd JDC, 28th JDC, 33rd JDC, 36th JDC, 40th JDC, Caddo Parish Juvenile Court, East Baton Rouge Family Court, Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court, Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Orleans Parish Criminal District Court)

© 2024 - Louisiana Supreme Court, 400 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130