The Donaldsonville chief., 1921-04-02
THE JUDICIARY REFORM.
Ordinance Before, Convention for Re-
examination ef'Courts of States


organization of'Courts of States
The Judiciary reform bill prepared
bv committee of the Louisiana Bar
Association, has been introduced be-
fore the Constitutional Convention.
The bill is lengthy and covers every
nlane Of the judciaryo Che follow
ing outline of the proposed plan pre-
nared 1 by Thomas Ewing Dabney Of
New Orleans will no doubt prove OF
general interests ~,
"To secure the highest legal talent
for holding Che important positions
of judgeships, is the object Of the
judiciary reform bill that has been
introduced before the Constitutional
Conventions This is known as Tcne
Spencer plan, but it is not the work
Of one man, but of practically the
entire membership of the Louisiana
Bar Association, and it has been en-
dorsed by the bench and bar Of the
state, at a special meeting. By it
NO one could hold the position of
iudge, even in the smallest court, un-
less he is learned in the law. Justices
~ the peace would be eliminated.
'Here is a brief outline of the
structure of the courts as proposed
by the plan:
"Supreme court: Composed of
one Chief Justice and six associate
justices at least 35 years old, who
have practiced law in the state at
least ten years and have been actual
residents of the districts from which
they were appointed at least two
wears Immediately proceedings their
appointment. This court would be
divided into two sections, each COM
posed of three associate judges and
the chief justice.
"Courts of Appeal: One for each
of the four judicial districts into
which the state would be divided.
Each court composed Of three judges,
80 or more years Of age, who shall
have practiced law in the state for at
least five years and have been resi-
dents Of the judicial district from
which they are appointed two years
next proceeding their appointment
The Judge who has been longest in
the service to preside.
"District courts: There would be
] d district court for each judicial dis
trict. In the first judicial district there
would be nine nine district judges; il
the second, six; in the third, seven
4 in the fourth, eight They must have
practiced law in the state at least five
years and been residents of their re
spective districts Immediately preced
ing their appointment.
Parish Courts: There would b.
one in each parish. Only men licens
ed to practice law would be eligible
ad they would have to be resident
Of the parish at least one year pre-
ceding their appointment.
Attorney general and parish ct
Il s. ssorneNsi sattorney general Wosllf
he eieeTsa every four years. II
qualify, he would have practiced Law
ut least five years in the state.
aIn each parish, there would b
parish attorney, whose manner o
selection, tenure duties and compen
sation would be fixed by the genera
of 1924, the district attorneys nov
in office would be the parish attor
neys Of the parish or parishes EN-
braced in the respective judicial dis
tricts as now constituted.
Judicial council: There would b
supreme judicial council, compose
of justices of the supreme court az
pointed in rotation by the chief jus
tice to serve term of two years
and the presiding judges of the sey
era1 courts of appeal and the severe
district courts of the state. This cour
ell would be empowered to-:
make or amend the rules of pleat
ing, practice and procedure in tn
various courts;
Regulate number Of officers {
courts and establish salaries;
Regulate cost Of proceeding
subject to control of general assen
bly,;
Supervise business and conduct (
courts and judges;
Supervise work of district, jud
cial councils;
Assign judges of one court to $
in another when necessary;
Investigate charges Of disabilit,
inefficiency and neglect of duty;
Determine and recommend
legislature whether courts should /
decreased or increased;
Make regulations for admisslo
to bar; prescribe rules of conduct;
"The district judicial council in eae
judicial district would be compo
ed Of three judges of the court Of a
peals and the presiding judge Of Il
district court and one judge of tt
district court, appointed in rotate
BY the presiding judge Of the distri
to serve two years. 1t would ha,
authority to:
Regulate the assignment of judg
Tor the trial of cases in the sever
parishes of the district, so as
eqnalze the work.
Regulate and fix the times a,
places of the sitting Of the court
appeals and the district and pari
VA courts;
Make such local rules of court
may be necessary:
Designate judicial dignitaries {
tabllshed by the general assembly;
Report to the supreme judici
council on all matters respecting t
conduct and business Of the coul
and of the judges thereof"
According to the announceme
made by the Department of Agricl
\ ~ n