| Party Affiliation | Democrat |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Present Employer / position | John T. Fuller & Associates |
| Length of residence in Jurisdiction | 36 Years |
| List of educational institutions and degrees | Southern University Law Center- Juris Doctorate
Xavier University of Louisiana- Political Science with minor in French
Universite' Sainte Anne- Study Abroad
St. Augustine High School- High School Dipolma |
| Prior elected and appointed positions | None |
| Civic involvement and affiliations | Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
Coach/Mentor- Trial Advocacy
Board Member- Homer Plessy School
Member- Louisiana Stae Bar Association |
| 1. Voters are interested in your qualifications for this position. Please describe, including the following: number of years as a practicing attorney; type of law practice; number of criminal court trials you have handled and of those how many were jury trials and how many were judge trials? What is your record for settlements in criminal cases?
| I have been involved in 30 jury trials and countless judge trials in parishes across the state. I have tried a case in every courtroom in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.
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| 2. How will you ensure safety and efficiency in your courtroom, in general and specifically due to the pandemic?
| Courtroom safety is of the utmost importance and will apply to everyone in the courtroom. I will work closely with the Sheriff's Office to establish protocols that ensure safety to all. Inmate transportation and movement will be calculated and methodically executed. Courtroom staff will also help to ensure that opposing parties are seated on opposite sides of the courtroom. As we are currently functioning during a pandemic, I would follow all social distancing guidelines. Additionally, I would stagger appearance times to limit the number of people in the courtroom at a given time. Masks would be required to enter, for those who do not have one, a mask will be provided. Hand sanitizer would be used by everyone upon entry into the courtrooms, gloves and other forms of PPE will also be utilized to ensure the safety of all. |
| 3. What are your thoughts about the current bail system? Are you open to releasing more defendants on their own recognizance? What changes do you think are most needed?
| The current bail system is certainly not perfect and some modifications should be implemented. The first thing that can be utilized more is the use of the release of a person on his/her own recognizance (ROR). This option will be used more frequently for low level non-violent offenses. |
| 4. What domestic violence training have you had and what impact has it made on how you handle this type of case?
| I have participated in a number of CLE's specifically on Domestic Violence and I have family members and personal friends that have been in a domestic violence situation. I will work together with domestic violence specialists to work with victims and their families. Both defendants and victims will receive counseling from a domestic violence specialist. For defendants counseling will be focused identifying the root of the problem, anger management and coping skills. For victims, counseling will be focused on increasing self-esteem, PTSD and the mental health of the individual. |
| 5. What are your thoughts about ensuring weapons confiscation for defendants in domestic abuse cases?
| Each and every defendant who comes before me on a domestic violence allegation will be required to hand over any and all firearms. After a colleague carefully explains the law to the defendant, an affidavit attesting to the fact that he/she understands the law, either has no weapons or has turned them over to a particular person or the NOPD shall be executed. If the weapon has been turned over to a person, I will require that particular person's name, address and contact number. This particular person will also have to execute an affidavit attesting to the fact that he/she has the weapon and understands that the defendant should not be in the vicinity of that weapon. |
| 6. Have you ever been censored or disciplined? If yes, please explain.
| No. |
