Civil rights advocates in Terrebonne Parish are at odds with Terrebonne judges over a proposed minority district judgeship in the parish.
The Courier of Houma reports that Terrebonne's judges say Louisiana Supreme Court rules and the state's financial problems preclude creation of a sixth judgeship in the parish.
Terrebonne NAACP President Jerome Boykin accuses state court officials of dragging their feet on the issue, which was discussed briefly during a meeting of the state Supreme Court's Judicial Council this week.
Boykin says an all-white judiciary in a parish with a 19 percent black population raises questions about whether the district is fair to everyone. Terrebonne Chief Judge Johnny Walker says the case numbers don't meet the requirements for a new judgeship under Supreme Court rules.
The controversy began developing when state Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Napoleonville, faxed the Supreme Court on Oct. 1 the message "I would like to request consideration of a new minority judgeship for the 32nd JDC. Please allow this to be an item on your next agenda for discussion."
The Supreme Court's Judicial Council can recommend that the Legislature establish such a judgeship if it believes there is data supporting it.
U.S. Justice Department approval also would be needed.
At Monday's meeting of the Supreme Court's council, the Terrebonne matter was on the agenda but marked closed because the council never received the information on caseloads that could have triggered the procedure for creating a new judgeship.
The local judges say no data is necessary because they are not seeking to create a new judgeship.
Although the Terrebonne numbers were not submitted, the Supreme Court committee voted unanimously to send what is called a "site review committee" to Terrebonne to examine records, interview officials and determine whether a judgeship is needed.