Preview:

Editor's note: opinion released August 31, 2000

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA
No. 99-O-3084

IN RE: JUDGE PRESTON AUCOIN

ON RECOMMENDATION FOR DISCIPLINE FROM THE JUDICIARY COMMISSION OF LOUISIANA

LEMMON, Justice* This judicial discipline matter comes before the court on the recommendation of the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana that the respondent judge be publicly censured. The three charges, which the Commission found were proved by clear and convincing evidence, related to respondent's practice of requiring defendants in criminal non-support cases to proceed to an "instanter trial" immediately after arraignment, without affording them notice of trial or opportunity to prepare for the unscheduled trial.

Facts Respondent was elected to a district judgeship in Evangeline Parish in October 1990 and was reelected in November 1996. He was a practicing attorney for more than thirty years before assuming judicial office.

*

Knoll, J., not on panel, recused.

Rule IV, Part 2,

Download 1999-O-3084 IN RE: JUDGE PRESTON AUCOIN.pdf

Louisiana Law