Former Prosecutor Roya Boustany Takes Helm As City Court Judge

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - The City of Lafayette has a new City Court Judge after former Assistant District Attorney and Felony Prosecutor Roya Boustany was sworn in after winning a special election.

Credit: Roya Boustany Campaign

Boustany, announced her candidacy for Lafayette City Court Judge in November 2024, seeking to fill the vacant seat left by the untimely passing of Honorable Judge Jules Edwards. She was the only candidate who qualified for the special election ballot to fill the open judgeship.

Boustany has years of experience in prosecuting criminal cases, including several high-profile trials, gaining a reputation for her dedication to upholding and ensuring justice is delivered fairly. "I believe the core of our justice system is fairness," Boustany said. "As a prosecutor, I've seen firsthand the challenges people face, and I've worked to ensure that justice is not only done but done efficiently and equitably.”

Boustany said she has three key goals: juvenile justice reform, recidivism reduction, and sustaining the court for the future of Lafayette. She said she is particularly passionate about creating programs aimed at helping young offenders stay on the right path and break the cycle of crime before it takes root. "Judge Edwards was at the infancy stages of creating some incredible programs and I hope to carry on his legacy of addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, especially among our youth, so we can make our community stronger, safer, and create a better future for our citizens."

The City Court of Lafayette was established in 1910 and houses two city judges and a city marshal. The court has a staff of over 30 people to help serve the citizens of Lafayette. The City Marshal has a staff of over 20 deputies and employees. Lafayette City court handles civil, criminal, juvenile and traffic matters.