Amendment 1, on the ballot for Louisiana’s election this coming Saturday March 29, asks voters two questions: First, Should the Louisiana Supreme Court be allowed to discipline out-of-state lawyers? And second, should the legislature have the authority to establish special trial courts?
As Louisiana Public Radio reports, Sarah Whittington, with the ACLU of Louisiana, says there are already laws in place to discipline out-of-state attorneys. As for the creation of new courts: “It's really just enabling legislators to undermine our judicial system and empowering them to create kangaroo courts that are in their own best interests.”
Barry Erwin, with the political advocacy group Better Louisiana, says the intent of the amendment’s second question is unclear. “It'd be better to know what the real goal is. What kind of court are we trying to create? What is the problem we're trying to solve?”
Erwin’s group opposes the amendment. The state Republican Party and the business lobbying group the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry both support its passage.
What to Know About Constitutional Amendment 1 on the Louisiana March 29 Ballot
