Louisiana law blocking Calvin Duncan clerk role is ruled unconstitutional
Updated
Updated · NOLA.com · May 4
Louisiana law blocking Calvin Duncan clerk role is ruled unconstitutional
3 articles · Updated · NOLA.com · May 4
Judge John deGravelles issued a 14-day restraining order in Baton Rouge, letting Duncan take the Orleans Parish criminal clerk post on Monday.
The law, signed by Governor Jeff Landry on Thursday, would have abolished the elected office and shifted criminal records, staff and duties to civil clerk Chelsey Richard Napoleon.
DeGravelles said the measure likely pretextually violated due process and voting rights; a Monday hearing will consider a longer injunction, while Duncan's retaliation claim remains pending.
With the restraining order only temporary, what legal or political maneuvers could determine who ultimately serves as Orleans Parish criminal clerk?
Could the attempt to abolish an elected office before Calvin Duncan took office set a precedent for overriding local election results elsewhere?
How might this legal battle reshape future efforts to consolidate or restructure New Orleans' courts and clerk offices?