The Nineteenth Judicial District Court is one of Louisiana’s 43 judicial districts and has original jurisdiction of all civil and criminal matters in East Baton Rouge Parish. There are fifteen elected judges (Division A through Division O) in the Nineteenth Judicial District. There are also two commissioners for the Nineteenth Judicial District whom are selected by the judges of the Nineteenth Judicial District.
The Complex Litigation Section of the 19th Judicial District Court is handling the majority of the matters related to Hurricanes Ida, Laura, Zeta and Delta. For more information, please click the button below.
If you have a video conference with a Judge’s office, please click the button below for additional information.
Judges of the 19th Judicial District Court
pictured seated from left to right - Judge Tarvald A. Smith, Judge Beau Higginbotham, Judge Richard “Chip” Moore, Chief Judge Donald R. Johnson, Judge Wilson E. Fields, Judge Fred Crifasi, and Judge Kelly Balfour.
pictured standing from left to right - Judge Ronald Johnson, Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts, Judge William “Will” Jorden, Judge Eboni Johnson Rose, Judge Brad Myers, Judge Gail Horne Ray, Judge Louise Hines, and Judge Colette M. Greggs.
19th JDC News and Updates
One does not often think of a courthouse and art in the same thought, but on Thursday, April 18th, 2024, this courthouse introduced a new piece to its art collection. The 19th JDC and the Arts Council of Baton Rouge hosted an artist’s reception to honor artist Malaika Favorite. The installation consists of four separate mixed media panels entitled “We are Louisiana” and “We are the People #1, 2 and 3” and represent a sense of community that the court wishes to convey.
This month, the Baton Rouge Bar Association published an article in The Baton Rouge Lawyer providing an overview of the 19th Judicial District Court’s new Complex Litigation Section pilot program. In the article, Presiding Judge Wilson E. Fields shares the details involved in the collaborative planning process for this innovative program.
Scammers, claiming to be a law enforcement officer or 19th Judicial District Court staff member, have been contacting citizens and demanding payment of money or verification of personal information in order for the subject of the scam to avoid arrest.
On February 15, 2024, the 19th Judicial District Court held its Opening Ceremony for the Veterans Treatment Court. Led by the Honorable Donald R. Johnson, Chief Judge, and the Honorable Ronald R. Johnson, Presiding Judge, the mission of the Veterans Treatment Court is “to reduce the rate of recidivism by resolving criminal cases through treatment and support, to best serve the needs of the defendant by promoting sobriety, recovery, and stability, to best serve the victim, and preserve the safety of the community.”
The 19th JDC continues to explore ways to improve our community. Just last week, the 19th JDC installed AED devices on each floor of the courthouse. The devices are easily located in the lobby area of each floor on the western most column. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a medical device that can help people who are experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
On Thursday, February 1, 2024, the Veterans’ Treatment Court of the 19th JDC received a generous donation of flags from each branch of the military. American Legion Department Commander Byron Comeaux delivered the flags that will be displayed in Presiding Judge Ron Johnson’s courtroom. It was an honor for the VTC staff to participate in setting the flags for display.
It is with heavy hearts that the Court announces the passing of Attorney Robert Tucker, Sr. A dedicated professional and esteemed member of our legal community. His contributions will forever be remembered. Our sincere condolences to the Tucker family.
On January 18, 2024, friends, family, and colleagues gathered in the 11th floor courtroom at the 19th JDC for the investiture of the court’s most recently elected Judge - The Honorable Colette M. Greggs.
The 19th Judicial District Court will be CLOSED on January 16, 2024 due to the anticipated inclement winter weather that is expected in East Baton Rouge Parish.
The final budget of the 19th JDC received approval from the Metropolitan Council on December 12, 2023. This approval provides funding for two additional Commissioners beginning July 1, 2024.
Following many years of planning, the day finally arrived for the kick-off meeting for the 19th JDC’s Pretrial Services Program. This is Day 1 of the beginning, and although there is much work remaining this is an incredibly exciting and meaningful time for the court.
Judge Gail Ray held her rule day docket at the Southern University Law Center on Thursday, October 19, 2023, and Judge Ron Johnson held his docket on November 13, 2023. The Judges and their staff traveled to the Law Center where they conducted “business as usual” in the Law Center court room.
On October 30, 2023, Chief Judge Don Johnson, Judicial Administrator Diana Gibbens, and Chris Csonka, Executive Director of the CJCC presented to a group at the SafeBR meeting about Accountability and Transparency of the court.
Although Judge Hines assumed office on May 9, 2023, her investiture took place on October 4, 2023. The event was the ceremonial transition to the office of District Court Judge.
The 19th Judicial District Court recognizes Chief Judge Donald R. Johnson who was recently honored at the 2023 American Judges Association’s (AJA) 62nd Annual Conference. Judge Johnson received the Judge Elliot Zide Judicial Educator Award for his significant contributions to Judicial Education.
State Justice Institute (SJI) has awarded the 19th JDC a $50,000 grant to assist with the costs associated with the implementation of its new Pretrial Services Program.
Effective September 1, 2023, the 19th JDC will have a Complex Litigation Section Pilot program that will focus on the timely and cost effective resolution of complicated civil litigation at the court. Complex Litigation can occur in several different shapes and sizes - it may be a single claim shared by multiple claimants; or it may be one incident that created similar causes of action among claimants; or it may be a few claimants with multiple defendants on several theories of liability..to name a few of the possible scenarios.
The Traffic Court at the 19th JDC hosted an inaugural event to coincide with International Day of Justice on July 17, 2023. The theme for the day was - Traffic Changed Me. The focus for the event was to provide assistance to the many citizens who have suspended licenses.
Judge Kelly Balfour accompanied by Diana Gibbens gave a presentation to the Baton Rouge Bar Association Young Lawyers Section about what is new in civil court at the 19th JDC.
On June 8, 2023, Governor Jon Bel Edwards signed Act 229 into law with an effective date of August 1, 2023. This Act amended La. R.S. 13:711, 712 & 713 related to the Commissioners at the 19th Judicial District Court. In sum, two additional Commissioners with equal authority were approved by the legislature.
Chief Judge Don Johnson and Commissioner Nicole Robinson were invited by CJCC to attend the Safety + Justice Challenge in St. Louis, MO from May 3-5, 2023. The Safety and Justice Challenge is reimagining and rebuilding local criminal justice systems — reducing jail incarceration and increasing equity for all.
