| Advisory opinion request from Karen Quebedeaux Smith, Justice of the Peace, Ward 3, District 6, relating to whether justices of the peace are required to take the annual ethics training for public employees. |
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Karen Smith is a justice of the peace for St. Landry Parish, District 6. St. Landry Parish government, and specifically President Jessie Bellard, has informed her that she is required by law to take the annual ethics training required of public employees pursuant to the Code of Governmental Ethics. She wishes to know if justices of the peace are required to take the ethics training required of public employees pursuant to the Code of Governmental Ethics.
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La. R.S. 42:1170A(3)(a)(i) provides that each public servant shall receive a minimum of one hour of education and training on the Code of Governmental Ethics during each year of his public employment or term of office as the case may be.
La. R.S. 42:1167 provides that all judges, as defined by the Code of Judicial Conduct, shall be governed exclusively by the provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which shall be administered by the Judiciary Commission provided for in Article V, Section 25 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
Ethics Board Advisory Opinion 2014-1537 provides that a Justice of the Peace is defined as a "judge" by the Code of Judicial Conduct, and that Justices of the Peace are exempt from the provisions of the Code of Governmental Ethics.
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Adopt proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Charles Reeves |
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