Letter: Theriot misrepresenting his experience in judge’s race

A Watershed Moment for LSU
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A Watershed Moment for LSU
October 23, 2012
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Dear Editor,


I’m appalled at Mitch Theriot’s flagrant misrepresentation of his experience which was stated in his Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, print ad in the Tri-Parish Times on page A10.

Three times Theriot referred to himself as judge, but he isn’t one, nor has he ever been one. Currently, he serves as magistrate, or hearing officer, in Lockport and Golden Meadow. Each mayor appointed him as such, but only the people can elect him as judge – and they haven’t.


In fact, he ran for judge, First Circuit Court of Appeal in 1998, but lost in the primary. Then, in 2001, he ran for judge of the 17th Judicial District and lost to Buddy Larose.


Moreover, to compound this fracture of the truth, the paper’s reporter, Mike Nixon, wrote, “[Theriot] serves as a municipal judge…” – which he doesn’t – in his article Appellate bench draws 4, on page A17.

Of the four candidates for judge, First Circuit Court of Appeal, only Mark Plaisance (R) and William Dupont (D) have ever served as judge and may say so. In Theriot’s attempt to elevate himself to their stature, he completely misrepresents his appointed magistrate position – which is a direct violation of the canons of judicial ethics.

This deliberate exaggeration displays incredibly poor judgment for a judicial candidate. Voters should ask themselves: If Theriot doesn’t comply with campaign rules and judicial ethics now, how can he be trusted to read, venerate and apply the law accurately if elected?

We need judges who know the law. We need judges who respect the law. We need judges who obey the law. There’s no room for “do as I say, not as I do” on the First Circuit Court of Appeal.

Theresa Ellender,

Bourg, La.