Vote Kevin D. Thompson for Judge

I  am running for  District Judge, 32nd Judicial District Court Section 1. I will be a fair and just in my decisions. Bail Reform is one of the most critical and needed changes that I would address as Judge. As a Judge, I would implement bail under the law and would consider options under the most current Louisiana law.  As a Judge, I would consider imposing bail in a non-monetary form. Persons who are charged with misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies could be released under bail conditions such as electronic monitoring, home incarceration and/or supervised release to ensure they return for their court date. As a Judge, when I set bail on a person accused, I will seriously consider a person's ability to post bail. The hardship it will impose if the person is the breadwinner in their family. If the person cannot post bail, what effect it has on the family?

BAIL SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PRE-TRIAL DETENTION, BUT TO ENSURE THE PERSON'S RETURN FOR THEIR COURT DATE. 
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Civil Trial Procedure

1.) After suit is filed, Judge should review the pleadings within 90 days to establish deadlines to place the case on the trial docket. 
2.)Establish a "Call" docket to facilitate movement of case. 
3). Give deadlines to opposing counsels to establish a working  schedule to resolve  or try the case. 
4.) Consider requiring memorandum or briefs on issues of liability or pertinent issues that could lead to the resolution of the matter. 
5.) Consider requiring in a civil bench trial mandatory memorandum or briefs, if party a fails to do so, absent good reason, you could be  prohibited from arguing your argument. 
6.) Consider time limits for opening and closing arguments on a civil jury trial. 
7.) Consider time limits for the Voir Dire after the court has questioned the jury. 
8.)Establish professionalism in the court between the court and the attorneys, treat each other with courtesy, respect and dignity. 

Criminal Justice Reform

1.) Criminal pretrials would be done with the Assistant District Attorney and defense counsel. Judge's involvement is to confirm the agreement or make a decision if counsel cannot agree.
2.) 1st time offenders should be offered a suspended sentence under the conditions of La. Code of Criminal Procedure Art . 894 or 893. This would be allowed to those individuals that satisfactorily complete probation to have the charge dismissed.
3.) Bail reduction hearings should be heard any day the court is available, including Civil and Criminal days.
4.) Maintain an honest, fair and responsible relationship with the public.
5.)Designate one full day to adjudicate traffic cases during a misdemeanor criminal week.
6.) Designate one full day to Probation and Parole cases during misdemeanor week.
7.) Designate one full day to have misdemeanor criminal trials during a misdemeanor week.
8.) Appoint a Magistrate to handle criminal pretrial motions.

Divorce and Custody Reform

1.) Appoint a hearing officer to hear pretrial issues before the matter is fixed for trial. 
2.) Ninety percent of divorce/custody case are resolved through the process when a hearing officer is involved. 
3.) As judge, I would set divorce/custody cases throughout the week instead of Mondays or Fridays. 
4.) As judge,  I would consider having the parties to the divorce/custody dispute to answer questionnaires to  assist the court in streamlining the issues.