A West Monroe state senator is proposing a constitutional amendment that he says would restore accountability for judges and district attorneys who fail to prevent violent crime. Republican Jay Morris’ bill would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor. He says the governor would first suspend the district attorney or judge for up to six months.
“Then, the Senate may remove that DA or judge from office after a trial, similar to an impeachment trial, upon a two-thirds vote,” Morris explained.
Morris says he filed the bill because of what he calls a disturbing and repeated pattern of breakdowns within Louisiana’s juvenile justice system.
“We have had quite a number of incidents in which there have been multiple complaints about certain judges, and nothing has been done. And I think the people are starting to get fed up with it,” Morris said.
Senator Morris explained that “The people of Louisiana are fed up with a system that allows repeat violent offenders to cycle through the courts without consequence, while those responsible for enforcing the law face none. These are not isolated incidents—they are systemic failures. When judges and district attorneys fail in their duties, the public pays the price.”
Senator Morris acknowledged that the proposal would face criticism but emphasized the need for action: “For too long, accountability has been absent. Protecting incompetence in the name of the status quo has led to preventable tragedies. This legislation is about restoring responsibility, transparency, and trust in our justice system.”
Morris says this process is not to be used if, for example, the governor simply disagrees with a judge’s ruling; instead, it’s intended to be used if that judge sentences the convict outside of the sentencing guidelines. Or in the case of a district attorney, if a DA fails to press charges against someone accused of a violent crime, and that person goes out and commits other crimes.
“If they have shown incompetence, by not understanding the law or not following the law, then the governor could exercise this right, only with the approval of two-thirds of the Senate, which is a very high bar,” Morris said.
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