Haggerty and Lobello Can Run for Slidell City Court Judgeship

Today the First Circuit affirmed a trial-court decision allowing Bryan Haggerty and Vincent Lobello to run for judge of Slidell City Court. Charles Branton challenged Haggerty's and Lobello's candidacy on grounds that they were not qualified for the office because neither had practiced law for five years when he qualified for the race. Branton relied on La. R.S. 18:492(A)(3), which provides the general rule that a candidate for public office must possess the necessary qualifications on the date the candidate qualifies for the election. But the trial court dismissed Branton's petition, holding that another statute, La. R.S. 13:2487.2, trumps R.S. 18:492(A)(3). Section 13:2487.2 specifies that the judge must be licensed to practice law in Louisiana for at least five years before the election. The First Circuit affirmed, adopting the trial court's holding as its own.

(For Naked Ownership's prior report on this case, click here.)

Posted by RPW at August 24, 2004 12:35 PM