1. Louisiana State Government
Chapter 11
Louisiana State Government

2. Foundations for Louisiana State Government
becomes a state
& forms it’s own
constitution
Basis of Louisiana Constitution:
Napoleonic Code= codes of
written laws based on French Law
2. French Civil Law= laws based on
legal code rather than court decisions

3. State Executive Branch: Governor (John Bel Edwards/ Democrat)
Qualifications:
American citizen
30 years old
Resident of state for 5 years
State voters elect governor directly by a majority vote.
2 consecutive, 4 year term limit
can be impeached or replaced by a recall election
Has the same role as the president, but can only preside over the state

4. State Executive Branch: Lieutenant Governor (Billy Nungesser/ Republican)
Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
runs on separate ticket than the governor
2nd in command
In charge of public relations
tourism, recreation, & culture

5. State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet)
Advise governor on area of responsibility
Appointed by governor
Departments:
Departments of Agriculture
Departments of Labor
Departments of/ Board of Health
Departments of Public Works & Highways
State Welfare Board

6. State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet) Secretary of State ( Tom Schedler)
Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
Maintains state records, official documents, & state seal
Maintains state & federal elections

7. State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet) Secretary of Treasury ( John Schroder)
Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
Maintains state spending & receiving of state funds & federal revenue
Assistant is Auditor (Daryl G. Purpera)

8. State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet) Attorney General ( Jeff Landry)
Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
States lawyer
Fights cases/ lawsuits & brings lawsuits on behalf of the state
Head of Department of Justice

9. State Legislative Branch: Legislators/ Congress
Qualifications:
American citizen for 1 year
Live in district & state represent for 1 year
Age: 25
Terms:
4 year terms
3 term limits
Follow the same process to turn a bill into a law, but allows
line-item vetos = governor can veto a certain area of a bill
veto sessions= after regular session to revise vetoed bills

10. State Laws Marriage age 18 & marry within 73 hours of gaining document
Divorce
must separate 180 days
before filing & alimony
can be no more than
1/3 of income
Community Property=
equal division of property
obtained during marriage
Civil Services=
protects public employees for actions
based on political opinion & affiliation

11. State Judicial Branch Types of Courts:
Justice Courts = which is lead by the justice of the peace & handles misdemeanors (marriage/ divorce/ disturbing the peace)
Magistrate Courts/ Municipal Courts =which handle minor cases, traffic violations, & lawsuits less than $1,000.00
District Courts= handle felony cases through trial set-ups with juries & judges
St.Tammany Parish Court House in Covington
Judges elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
Appellate Court = review & decide on previous cases by a panel of judges
New Orleans District Courthouse
3-5 judges elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
State Supreme Court= review appeals court decisions, supervises all state courts, & interprets state constitutions by a panel of judges
Baton Rouge & New Orleans Supreme Court
10 justices elected every 10 years, unlimited term limits

12. Type of Cases: Civil Law
Courts provide a place to resolve differences between 2 people/ groups
Civil Court Types:
Small Claims Court
Large Claim Courts
Outcomes
Drop case, settle (most common)/ mediation, trials or arbitration = someone decides for them & decision is final.

13. Civil Cases Lawsuits: Property disputes Breach of contract Negligence
Family matters (divorce)
personal injury
Suits of Equity
Judge usually has an injunction when agreeing with plaintiffs, to prevent damage

14. Type of Cases: Criminal Law
All crimes follow the penal code
Criminal Groups:
Felonies
Prison 1 year & more to death
Classify who/ what was harmed when crime was committed.
Misdemeanors
Fine/ 1 year or less in prison
Outcome: Trials or Plea Bargain (most Common)

15. Types of Cases: Juvenile Courts
Neglect Cases
Power to place kids with foster families, where they will be protected & cared for. (Wards of the State)
Delinquency Cases
Juvenile courts handle offenses that are considered illegal for juveniles & not for adults.
Running away, skipping schools, & violating curfew.

16. Rules for Juvenile Arrest
Parents must be notified, when child arrested.
Child & parent must be notified in writing of all charges.
Child has right to remain silent & have an attorney.
Child has the right to confront witness against them.

17. Juvenile Courts Rules for Trials
Only parties involved can attend
no juries only judge.
keep kid identity
kid records are not publicized & sealed when kid is 18
photos & fingerprints are not taken.

18. Juvenile Courts forms of Punishments
Send home with lecture
send to training school
Send to prison
Send to teen shelters
Send to treatment centers for addiction
Send to hospitals for mental/ emotional problems
Probations
kid must attend school & obey parents
If do, charges dropped