Louisiana GOP Moves to Eliminate Job of Exonerated Man

In a move sparking controversy and accusations of political retaliation, Louisiana’s Republican-led legislature is attempting to eliminate a government position that was recently won by an exonerated man. Calvin Duncan, who spent nearly three decades in prison before being proven innocent, was overwhelmingly elected as the Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court last November.

A Move to Merge Clerk Offices

The Louisiana Senate voted 25-11 to approve Senate Bill 256, a measure that would merge the Orleans Parish civil and criminal clerk offices into a single entity. This consolidation effectively eliminates the distinct criminal court clerk position that Duncan was elected to fill, with his swearing-in scheduled for May 4th.

Republicans supporting the bill cite government efficiency and alignment with practices in the rest of the state as reasons for the merger. However, Duncan and his supporters argue that the timing and nature of the bill are politically motivated, aimed at disenfranchising voters and retaliating against officials who have challenged the status quo.

Duncan’s Vision and Arguments Against the Merger

Duncan, 62, who rebuilt his life after his exoneration and pledged reforms based on his experience navigating the court system as an incarcerated individual, sees the bill as a direct affront to the will of the people. “The citizens of New Orleans overwhelmingly said: ‘I want to give this person a chance, he can make a difference,’” Duncan stated during a legislative hearing. “What this bill does is say: ‘Thank you, but you wasted your time.’ It disenfranchises everybody.”

He further argues that merging the civil and criminal clerk offices is inefficient and potentially harmful, as the two offices manage distinct records and preservation responsibilities. “The civil district court clerk doesn’t have a clue… on how the records are supposed to be preserved, and how to preserve evidence,” Duncan asserted, warning that victims of crime could be negatively impacted.

Broader Implications and Political Climate

This legislative maneuver occurs within a broader context of Republican efforts to reshape New Orleans courts, including proposals to cut judgeships. While Senate Bill 256 is expected to pass the GOP-controlled House and be signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry, its passage is drawing sharp criticism. Sen. Royce Duplessis, a Democrat representing New Orleans, condemned the bill as “barbaric” on the Senate floor, urging colleagues to consider the historical record of their actions.