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This Louisiana Town Runs Largely on Traffic Fines. If You Fight Your Ticket, the Mayor Is Your Judge. (www.propublica.org)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Fenton, population 226, brings in over $1 million per year through its mayor’s court, an unusual justice system in which the mayor can serve as judge even though he’s responsible for town finances.

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[–] [email protected] 53 points 9 months ago (9 children)

in ohio ... and

seems like a clear conflict of interest to have a mayor adjudicating

[–] [email protected] 72 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I found this telling (emphasis mine):

Mayor’s courts operate in a gray area of Louisiana law. Like municipal courts, they handle violations of local ordinances. Municipal judges must hold a law degree and pass the bar; a mayor can preside over court without meeting any qualifications. Yet, like a municipal judge, a mayor can impose fines or sentence people to jail.

Mayor’s courts must ensure defendants have fair trials. But unlike other courts in the state, they aren’t subject to rules like the Code of Criminal Procedure that are supposed to ensure courts are run fairly and properly.

[–] [email protected] 37 points 9 months ago (4 children)

Wow. Truly land of the free. /s How is this permitted to go without consequences?

[–] [email protected] 27 points 9 months ago

In The United States we believe in freedom in the abstract and only the abstract.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago

My guess is no one has taken it to the Supreme Court.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

I'd guess it's because Louisianna law is based on Napoleonic Code rather the English common law. LA law can have oddities because of that.

And then we got someone below talking about Supreme Court, as if they would here such a case. This is one that would, and should, be deferred to a lower court.

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