For The Sake Of The Children

A Louisiana Hearing Committee proposes a year and a day suspension of an attorney for conduct after he had left his marital home

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on the morning of March 4, 2017, the Respondent drove his vehicle to the home of SD with his children in his vehicle after returning from a ski trip in Colorado. Believing that SD was in her rental home with a male guest, without permission or authority, Respondent kicked in the locked front door of SD’s dwelling, entered the inhabited dwelling, and located his wife and her male guest. After pushing his wife aside, the Respondent committed a physical battery upon her male guest. When SD attempted to intercede, Respondent battered/pushed her once again until such time as SD could persuade the Respondent to leave the residence.

The Respondent did so and drove to the marital home where he retrieved his wife’s clothing articles and returned with the minor children still in the vehicle to her dwelling and tossed her clothes on the front lawn and driveway area. After departing briefly, Respondent returned to his wife’s dwelling where, after attempting unsuccessfully to gain entry into her vehicle in order to retrieve items belonging to the children, he secured a nearby cement object/block and smashed it through the driver side rear side window. During the process of attempting to stop Respondent from damaging the vehicle, SD was again struck and pushed by Respondent while the children were in his vehicle crying.

He admitted the violations but sought a reprimand or a deferred sanction

The respondent is seeking a public reprimand or a fully deferred sentence; however, there are some aggravating factors to consider. There was an apparent selfish motive in the respondent’s behavior, and it had the potential of putting several lives in danger. The crime he has admitted to is a crime of violence. Additionally, he has  substantial experience (12 years) in the practice of law and was somewhat deceptive in dealing with ODC during the disciplinary process. For example, he was not consistent in his reasons given for why he departed the District Attorney’s Office. (Trial Transcript, Day 1, pp. 234, 241-46). Given the nature and seriousness of the offence, a suspension of one year and one day from the practice of law would seem appropriate.

The Advocate reported on the criminal case as did WBRZ 2. 

WBRZ has also learned, Deblieux’s former boss has asked his office not be a part of any future criminal proceedings. Filings with the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court show District Attorney Hillar Moore states he’s recusing his office from prosecution since Deblieux worked as an Assistant District Attorney. The DA’s office notified the Attorney General’s Office, however, Deblieux’s wife is employed by the Louisiana Department of Justice. The recusal document states it’s believed Attorney General Jeff Landry will recuse his office from prosecution of Deblieux as well. 

(Mike Frisch)