Ethics Scores 24th JDC Election 2024
Ethics scores 24th JDC Election 2024 describes how Scientific research shows campaign contributions are correlated with judges’ decisions. There is a crisis with the court’s legitimacy in Louisiana. This issue is very salient now for a variety of reasons. There are political concerns, case-related concerns, and financial concerns.
Damon Cann, a Political Science instructor at Georgia University, conducted a study. It explores whether judges favor attorneys who support their campaigns financially. He shows that campaign contributions are indeed correlated with judges’ decisions. (Cann, Damon M. “Justice for Sale? Campaign Contributions and Judicial Decision making.” State Politics & Policy Quarterly, vol. 7, no. 3, 2007, pp. 281–97. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40405604. Accessed 29 Feb. 2024)
Judicial Ethics in Louisiana
Judicial ethics in Louisiana is a pretty hot topic for Motion to Quash LLC. There is discussion about judges taking advantage of elections to promote their own interests. Talks about judges showing favor with attorneys who donate to their campaigns are widespread. There is discussion about making it illegal for judges to accept contributions from attorneys who practice in their district. Join the Campaign for Judicial Integrity in Louisiana here.
The Code of Judicial Conduct highlights a crucial principle. Judges should avoid the appearance of impropriety. 28 USC section 455 – enacted by Congress, binds them and sets the standard for all the courts.
None of the three candidates for 24th JDC follow the judicial guidelines. They do not adhere when it comes to providing financial support to their campaigns. Jefferson Parish has been out of step with the norms governing Louisiana since Operation Wrinkled Robe. The operation, championed by Jim Letten, proved campaign support in Jefferson Parish was given with criminal intent. It was not for political reasons.
Ethics Scores for 24th JDC Candidates for 3/23/2024 Election
| 24th JDC | ||
| Candidate average | F | 33% |
| Jackie Maloney | F | 33% |
| Jerry Smith | F | 33% |
| Lindsey Valenti | D | 67% |
Jackie Maloney- Ethics score F (33%)
As a judicial candidate Jackie Maloney received $29,400 campaign contributions from 44 attorneys who practice in her district. Ms. Maloney received $2500 from 5 attorneys and $1,000 from 5 attorneys. $500 was issued by 14 attorneys.
Jackie Maloney, as an attorney.
As an attorney, Maloney issued over five thousand dollars in campaign contributions to 7 Judges in her district of practice.
Jerry Smith Ethics score F (33%)
Since 2020, Jerry Smith received over $115,000 from over 180 attorneys who practice in his district. Mr. Smith received $2500 from 13 attorneys and $1,000 from 21 attorneys. $500 was issued by 50 attorneys.
Since 2019, Jerry Smith issued $3650 to 10 judges in the 24th JDC.
Lindsey Valenti Ethics score D (67%)
As a candidate, Lindsey Valenti received more than $150, 000 from over 130 attorneys who practice in her district. Ms. Valenti received $2,500 from 36 attorneys and $1,000 from 22 attorneys. $500 was received by 42 attorneys.
As an attorney, Lindsey Valenti issued zero dollars to Judges. Hence, earning her a higher score despite receiving the most money.
Method
For consistency, the total scores were based on these three principles:
- Campaign contributions issued (5 possible points)
- Campaign contributions received (5 possible points)
- Disclosures/conflicts of interest (5 possible points)
Only when candidates scored 15 for the whole package did they score 100 percent. Campaigns are dynamic. We welcome your feedback. If you see a candidate’s position has changed, send us an email to tracie@motiontoquash.org with the new information. The spreadsheets are free and printable. We obtained the campaign finance reports from the Ethics Board’s website. You can find the Ethics Disclosures on the Louisiana Supreme Court’s website.
Recognized by the NWC, Tracie Burke is author of Motion to Quash. M2Q supports the Whistleblower Protection Act. If you would like to support journalism in the public interest, click here to donate. Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC .
