New Eviction Authority Raises Stakes in East Baton Rouge Justice of the Peace Race

BATON ROUGE, La. — A change in Louisiana law is adding new responsibilities to East Baton Rouge Parish's Justice of the Peace courts, making the Nov. 3 District 4 election especially important for residents who may find themselves in disputes involving housing, property and money.

Five Democratic candidates — Antonia Renee Caine, Lee A. Cosey, Taneshia Flowers, Carla Fowler and C. Denise Marcelle — are competing for one full-term seat under newly established district boundaries.

The winner will serve as a local judicial officer with authority over certain civil disputes, including small claims and eviction proceedings. The position carries responsibilities that can directly affect renters, landlords, property owners, and residents seeking resolution of financial disputes.

The election follows the enactment of Act 950, also known as House Bill 708, authored by state Rep. Lauren Ventrella. The legislation became law without the governor's signature and took effect June 22, 2026.

The measure changed the territorial boundaries of East Baton Rouge Parish's six Justice of the Peace districts and expanded their authority over certain eviction cases by establishing concurrent jurisdiction with city courts.

New Law Expands Eviction Jurisdiction

Act 950 amended Louisiana law to give Justice of the Peace courts in East Baton Rouge Parish concurrent jurisdiction with city courts over qualifying eviction proceedings involving leased residential and commercial properties and agricultural land when the monthly rent does not exceed $5,000.

Concurrent jurisdiction means that more than one court has legal authority to hear a qualifying case.

The legislation does not give Justice of the Peace courts unlimited authority over every landlord-tenant dispute.

Before Act 950, Justice of the Peace courts already had concurrent jurisdiction with parish or district courts over certain residential eviction proceedings, regardless of the monthly or yearly rent.

The new legislation specifically adds concurrent jurisdiction with city courts for qualifying residential, commercial and agricultural lease evictions subject to the $5,000 monthly rental limit.

The measure also repealed the previous territorial framework for East Baton Rouge Parish's six Justice of the Peace courts and established new boundaries based on designated voting precincts.

Each district now serves as an election district for both the Justice of the Peace and constable positions. The new boundaries apply to the regularly scheduled 2026 election and future elections unless changed by law.

The changes mean the person elected in District 4 will serve under the newly established territorial boundaries and exercise authority within the court's expanded statutory jurisdiction.

Five Candidates Bring Different Professional Backgrounds

The five candidates qualified as Democrats during the Aug. 5-7 qualifying period, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Their backgrounds include education administration, school-system operations, public information, community engagement, constable service, government and legal support work.

Antonia Renee Caine

Caine's background includes education administration, administrative hearings and community outreach.

According to her campaign, she has 26 years of experience conducting hearings and making administrative decisions while serving as a dean of students, assistant principal, and principal in three Louisiana school systems.

Her experience includes investigating grievances, addressing disciplinary matters, and making decisions involving due process within educational institutions.

She also worked as a certified treatment and rehabilitative programs instructor at East Feliciana Parish Prison, where her campaign says she participated in risk assessments and evidence-based reentry programming.

Caine holds a master's degree in Supervision and Administration from Southern University and A&M College. Her campaign also identifies her as a community outreach manager who has worked with families, senior citizens, and people experiencing homelessness since 2016.

Her campaign emphasizes integrity, compassion, fairness and access to justice.

At an Oct. 1 candidate forum, Caine proposed Saturday court sessions for residents who have difficulty attending hearings during traditional business hours.

Her administrative hearing experience is separate from serving as a judicial officer, but it forms a significant part of the professional background she presents to voters.

Lee A. Cosey

Cosey brings experience in public service, school-system operations and constable work.

Raised in Baker, he graduated from Baker High School and earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Administration from Southern New Hampshire University in 2025, according to his candidate profile.

His public-service career began in 2007 with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. His employment history includes positions as a bus monitor, bus operator, dispatcher and clerk. He currently serves as an area supervisor.

Cosey also reports serving as a deputy constable. His candidate questionnaire gives different starting years for that service — 2020 in one campaign statement and 2021 in his biographical response — a discrepancy that requires clarification.

His campaign emphasizes integrity, accountability, fairness, professionalism and customer service.

He identifies access to justice, education and public safety as important priorities. His stated approach includes listening to both sides of a dispute, communicating clearly and making decisions based on facts and the law rather than personal relationships or favors.

Taneshia Flowers

Flowers brings a background in communications, public information, community engagement and advocacy.

A native of North Baton Rouge, she graduated from Southern University and A&M College with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and a minor in Marketing.

She is pursuing a master's degree in Strategic Communications at Arkansas State University, according to her professional biography.

Her previous professional experience includes work as an educator, press secretary, licensed real estate professional and communications consultant.

Her current position is director of community engagement and programming at the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana, where she works with reentry programs serving individuals affected by the criminal legal system.

During the Oct. 1 candidate forum, Flowers discussed improving access to court proceedings and connecting residents facing eviction with outside resources, particularly when housing instability involves financial hardship or domestic violence.

She also proposed exploring virtual court proceedings for residents who may have difficulty appearing in person.

On Oct. 27, the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund announced its endorsement of Flowers for Justice of the Peace District 4. The endorsement was part of the organization's final round of support for candidates in several Louisiana and East Baton Rouge Parish races.

Carla Fowler

Fowler qualified as a Democrat for the District 4 position on Aug. 7, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Her official qualifying information establishes her candidacy, but the public materials reviewed for this report provide limited independently verifiable information about her educational background, employment history, professional credentials and previous public service.

Her specific plans for managing the court and addressing eviction proceedings also require further documentation.

Additional information from Fowler would give voters a more complete opportunity to compare her qualifications and priorities with those of the other candidates.

C. Denise Marcelle

Marcelle brings experience in state government, local government, legal support work and community service.

She currently represents Louisiana House District 61 and was first elected to the Legislature in 2015.

Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Southern University and A&M College.

According to her campaign and candidate questionnaire, Marcelle has more than 30 years of paralegal experience and is a licensed notary public.

Her previous public-service roles include serving on the East Baton Rouge Metro Council and as chair of the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging Board. She has also been involved in community and economic development efforts.

Marcelle's campaign platform is organized around V.O.I.C.E., representing:

• Visible and accessible leadership: Maintaining an accessible presence in District 4.
• Open and fair justice: Applying the law fairly and explaining court procedures.
• Integrity: Providing ethical and impartial service.
• Community-centered service: Addressing the needs of residents, landlords, tenants and small businesses.
• Efficient solutions: Improving court operations and reducing unnecessary delays.

Her stated priorities include fair eviction proceedings, accessible small-claims services, transparent court costs, timely hearings and understandable instructions for residents navigating the judicial system.

Marcelle also participated in the Oct. 1 candidate forum, where she discussed connecting residents facing eviction with outside assistance.

Her withdrawal notation in the Secretary of State's records applies to a separate Ward 2, District 3 unexpired-term contest. She remains listed as a candidate for the full-term District 4 position on Nov. 3.

Candidate Forum Highlights Court Accessibility

The responsibilities of Justice of the Peace courts received additional attention during an Oct. 1 forum hosted by the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice at Living Faith Christian Center.

The event brought together candidates seeking several judicial positions and Justice of the Peace seats across East Baton Rouge Parish.

For District 4, Caine, Flowers, and Marcelle participated in the discussion. The organizers said all candidates for the featured races had been invited, but not all attended.

One of the central topics was how courts can ensure landlords and tenants understand their legal rights and responsibilities, particularly when they appear without attorneys.

Candidates discussed ways to make proceedings easier to understand and reduce obstacles that prevent residents from participating effectively.

Caine proposed Saturday court sessions for people whose work schedules make traditional court hours difficult. Flowers discussed virtual proceedings and connecting residents facing eviction with outside resources. Marcelle also addressed the need to connect people with assistance when housing instability involves financial or personal hardship.

The discussion highlighted a practical concern: Justice of the Peace courts are often the first point of contact with the legal system for residents involved in smaller civil disputes.

For someone facing eviction or attempting to recover money owed, the court's procedures, scheduling, and explanations can have immediate consequences.

State Law Institute Ordered to Study Eviction Courts

The Justice of the Peace election is also taking place as Louisiana lawmakers examine the broader operation of these courts.

House Resolution 341, authored by state Rep. Terry Landry, directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to study how Justice of the Peace courts handle eviction proceedings and how court structure, funding and procedures affect tenants and landlords.

The resolution raises questions about judicial training, ethics, conflicts of interest, continuing education, court funding, and the financial incentives associated with eviction filings.

It also identifies concerns about whether differences in procedural protections between Justice of the Peace courts and district courts affect fairness and consistency.

The resolution does not establish that misconduct has occurred in every Justice of the Peace court. It calls for a statewide examination and recommendations for possible improvements.

The Louisiana State Law Institute is required to submit its report to the Legislature by Feb. 1, 2027.

The study adds another layer of significance to the District 4 election because the person elected will serve in a judicial system facing increased scrutiny over eviction procedures and access to justice.

Understanding the Responsibilities of the Office

A Justice of the Peace is an elected judicial officer with limited jurisdiction under Louisiana law.

Under Article 4911 of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, Justice of the Peace courts share civil jurisdiction with district courts in cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed $5,000.

The amount is determined by the demand or value asserted in good faith and excludes interest, court costs, attorney fees and penalties.

The courts also handle qualifying disputes involving movable property and eviction proceedings authorized by law.

However, their authority does not extend to every legal matter.

Under Article 4913, Justice of the Peace courts cannot hear cases involving title to immovable property, divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, certain constitutional claims and other matters specifically excluded by law.

Louisiana does not require a Justice of the Peace to hold a law degree. State law establishes qualifications that include good moral character, qualified-elector status, residency in the district, the ability to read and write English correctly and a high school diploma or equivalent.

Elected Justices of the Peace must also complete training administered by the Louisiana attorney general. Newly elected justices must attend the first available training course after taking office, and justices must attend at least one training course every other year to maintain eligibility for state supplemental pay.

The office therefore requires more than a willingness to serve. It requires an understanding of jurisdiction, legal procedures, impartiality and the responsibilities of presiding over disputes.

Election Information

The Justice of the Peace District 4 election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

The Louisiana Secretary of State lists five candidates for the District 4 seat: Antonia Renee Caine, Lee A. Cosey, Taneshia Flowers, Carla Fowler, and C. Denise Marcelle.

Residents should verify their registration, polling location, and sample ballot through the state's official voter information portal.

The election will determine who serves District 4 under the new district boundaries and assumes responsibility for a court with an expanded role in certain eviction proceedings.

For residents, the decision carries consequences beyond the campaign. The next Justice of the Peace will hear disputes involving housing, property, and financial obligations while being responsible for ensuring that everyone who enters the courtroom receives fair treatment under Louisiana law.

As voters prepare for Nov. 3, the candidates' professional backgrounds, understanding of judicial responsibilities, approach to impartiality and plans for improving access to the court will be important considerations.