Provides with respect to the magistrate judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District Court and authority relative to specialty court programs

HB 263 Original 2026 Regular Session Farnum

Abstract: Authorizes the magistrate judge of the 14th Judicial District Court (JDC) to preside over specialty court programs.

Present law provides relative to the elected magistrate judge of the 14th JDC. Further provides for term limits, qualifications, salary requirements, and related matters.

Proposed law retains present law.

Proposed law defines "specialty court" and further provides that subject to the approval of the en banc judges of the 14th JDC, the magistrate judge is authorized to preside over specialty court programs to fully adjudicate related felony charges for those who have pled into or otherwise agreed to participate in a specialty court program.

(Adds R.S. 13:589(E))