C. Denise Marcelle Takes Decades of Legal and Public Service Experience Into Justice of the Peace Race

From the Louisiana Legislature to local government and more than 30 years in the legal profession, Marcelle says her next chapter of service begins with making justice more accessible to District 4 residents.

BATON ROUGE, La. — For C. Denise Marcelle, public service has taken her through the halls of the Louisiana Legislature, the chambers of local government, and more than three decades of work in the legal profession. Now, she is seeking to bring that experience to the East Baton Rouge Parish Justice of the Peace, District 4 office.

A longtime public servant and current Louisiana state representative for House District 61, Marcelle seeks to expand her government work by pursuing a local judicial position that directly affects residents, families, landlords, tenants, and small businesses.

First elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2015, Marcelle has represented constituents in East Baton Rouge Parish through multiple legislative sessions. Her legislative responsibilities have included service on the House Appropriations Committee, the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee. She also served as vice chair of the House Select Committee on Women and Children.

Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Southern University and A&M College and a diploma from Capital High School.

But Marcelle's experience extends beyond the Legislature.

According to her candidate questionnaire, she brings more than 30 years of paralegal experience and is a licensed notary public. Her professional background also includes work with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and the Baton Rouge City Constable's Office.

Before serving in the Legislature, she was a member of the Baton Rouge Metro Council. She has also held leadership responsibilities with the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging, including serving as board chair, and served on the North Baton Rouge Economic Development District board.

That combination of legal experience, government service and community involvement forms the foundation of her candidacy.

Making Justice Accessible to the Community

Marcelle's campaign centers on a simple proposition: Residents should be able to approach the court system without feeling intimidated, confused or ignored.

Justice of the Peace courts handle certain civil disputes and landlord-tenant matters within the authority established by Louisiana law. For many residents, these proceedings may represent their first experience inside a courtroom.

A disagreement involving unpaid money, rental property, a security deposit or an eviction can have significant consequences for the people involved. Understanding the process, knowing the applicable rules and receiving a fair hearing are important to both sides.

Marcelle says her experience in the legal profession has given her an understanding of how complicated legal matters can become for ordinary citizens.

Her campaign emphasizes helping residents understand where to go, what procedures apply, and what resources may be available when a matter falls outside the court's jurisdiction.

The V.O.I.C.E. Platform

Marcelle has organized her campaign around the V.O.I.C.E. platform, which outlines five priorities for the office:

• Visible and accessible leadership: Maintaining a presence in District 4 neighborhoods, churches, and community organizations.
• Open and fair justice: Making decisions based on the law and facts while ensuring residents understand court procedures.
• Integrity: Providing impartial, consistent and respectful treatment.
• Community-centered service: Addressing the concerns of residents, landlords, tenants and small businesses.
• Efficient solutions: Promoting timely hearings, responsive communication and effective court operations.

Her stated priorities also include transparent court costs, clearer filing instructions, plain-language court information and community outreach.

The campaign identifies housing disputes and eviction proceedings as important areas of focus, emphasizing that both tenants and property owners deserve a fair hearing and consistent application of the law.

Marcelle also says she wants residents to have access to information that helps them understand their rights and responsibilities before entering the courtroom.

A Different Kind of Public Service

The Justice of the Peace position carries responsibilities distinct from those of a legislator or local council member. It requires impartial decision-making, an understanding of judicial procedures and the ability to apply the law fairly, regardless of the individuals appearing before the court.

Marcelle's challenge will be translating her years of legal and legislative experience into the responsibilities of a judicial office.

Her campaign is presenting that experience as an asset, particularly for residents who may need help navigating civil disputes and understanding the court system.

For East Baton Rouge Parish residents, the race offers an opportunity to examine the backgrounds, qualifications, and priorities of those seeking responsibility for the District 4 court.

Marcelle's candidacy brings together three decades of reported legal experience, more than a decade in the Louisiana Legislature, previous local government service, and involvement in community organizations.

As the Nov. 3 election approaches, she is asking voters to consider how that experience and her V.O.I.C.E. platform would shape the future of the Justice of the Peace office.

C. Denise Marcelle is a Democratic candidate for Justice of the Peace, District 4, in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect C. Denise Marcelle