Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 13, § 2562.21. Traffic hearing officers; qualifications; duties

A. The offices of Traffic Hearing Officer of the First and Second Parish Courts of Jefferson Parish are hereby created. The judges in each said court may appoint a traffic hearing officer for their court as provided in this Section.

B. Each such traffic hearing officer shall be selected by the duly elected judges for each parish court, to serve at the pleasure, discretion, and direction of the appointing judges for a period of six months. He may be reappointed.

C. Each traffic hearing officer shall possess the same qualifications for office as a parish court judge.

D. The salary of each traffic hearing officer shall be set by the Jefferson Parish Council.

E. A traffic hearing officer may engage in the practice of law and in any other business, occupation, or employment not inconsistent with the expeditious, proper, and impartial performance of his duties as judicial officer. Any questions regarding the propriety of other business, occupation, or employment by a traffic hearing officer shall be determined by the appointing parish court judges.

F. Office space necessary for the conduct of the office of traffic hearing officer shall be provided by the Jefferson Parish Council, or otherwise provided from funds available to the judges of the said parish courts.

G. Equipment, supplies, and the salaries and related benefits of employees of the traffic hearing officers shall be payable by the Jefferson Parish Council. Funds for such purpose shall be appropriated to the respective Parish Court's operating budget. All employees of the office of traffic hearing officer shall be hired only upon the prior approval of employment by the appointing parish court judges of the respective parish court. The employees shall not be employees of the state and shall not be members of the State Employee's Retirement System.

H. The traffic hearing officer shall have criminal jurisdiction over traffic violations of state laws and parish or municipal ordinances committed within the territorial boundaries of the appointing parish court which are punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding six months or both. This jurisdiction shall be concurrent with any jurisdiction, pertaining to traffic violations only, conferred by law upon the parish court.