Judicial Discipline Gets More Transparent in Louisiana

The Louisiana Supreme Court is making investigations into judges more transparent.

Louisiana’s highest court announced Sept. 6 that it was immediately easing rules requiring silence—permanently—from all parties involved in complaints against state court judges.

“Our rules should protect the integrity of the judicial discipline process while insuring public trust and confidence, and I believe these rule revisions accomplish that goal,” Chief Justice Bernette Johnson said in the announcement.

The only way judicial investigations previously came to light was if the Louisiana Judiciary Commission recommended that the Supreme Court discipline a judge. Now, judges, witnesses and people who file complaints may ...