Dispute With Neighbor Nets Suspension Of Judge

A Justice of the Peace was suspended without pay for 30 days by the Louisiana Supreme Court. The JOP had a problem neighbor who “lived on the same dead end street…” Based on another neighbor’s complaint, the JOP issued an arrest warrant and set bond at $50,000. The neighbor spent a night in jail. The next day, another judicial officer reduced the bond to $5,000. The arrest warrant was found to lack probable cause. The arrested neighbor filed a complaint against the JOP that led to the court’s decision. The Judiciary Commission had found that the JOP had “wielded judicial power irresponsibly” and “may have intentionally exploited her position to satisfy personal desires.” (Mike Frisch)