As embattled Lafayette City Marshal Brian Pope sits in jail, the functions of his office must continue and will under a temporary Marshal. Lafayette City court judges announced late Monday that attorney Donald W. Washington will lead the Marshal's office while Pope is "physically" unable to do so.

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According to the release, the duties of the office include serving court documents and managing arrest warrants. The Marshal's office also serves a security function for those at city court.

Washington, a former US attorney, has more than 20 years of law experience. Information on his firm's website details his experience in civil and criminal litigation.

 

Read the full release below:

The Judges of the City Court of Lafayette announced today that Donald W. Washington has been appointed as Temporary Marshal of the Court.

 

“The judges of the court have determined that Marshal Brian Pope is temporarily absent and that the continued operation of the Marshal’s office is necessary to the efficient operation of the court,” said Judge Francie Bouillion, presiding judge of the court.

 

The operation of Lafayette City Court and the duties performed by the Lafayette City Marshal’s office must continue uninterrupted.  Those duties include the daily execution of the Court’s orders and arrest warrants, as well as the protection of those citizens utilizing our courthouse.

 

To guarantee the continued operation of the Marshal’s office in the absence of Marshal Pope, Louisiana law provides that a temporary Marshal be appointed by the judges.  The temporary Marshal will be called upon to handle the administrative duties of Marshal Pope in his absence.

 

The Temporary Marshal, working with Chief Deputy Phil Conrad and other deputies, will supervise the day to day operation of the Marshal’s office.  Donald W. Washington’s experience, along with the capable assistance of Marshal Pope’s deputies and staff will most assuredly accomplish the goal of the Judges, which is to maintain the smooth operation of the Marshal’s office, including their efforts to assure the safety of those entering our building, the service of the Court’s orders as well as the execution of arrest warrants for those that choose to ignore their obligation to appear in court.

 

Donald W. Washington received his juris doctor degree from South Texas College of Law, and his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point.  Mr. Washington is a partner in the law firm of Jones Walker LLP and practices from the firm's Lafayette office.  His practice encompasses complex civil and criminal litigation and the representation of corporations and individuals in internal and government investigations.  He served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana from 2001 to early 2010.  Mr. Washington has more than 20 years of experience as a trial attorney, litigator and counselor.

Accordingly, we are pleased and honored to appoint, Donald W. Washington, to act as Temporary Marshal until such time as Marshal Pope is able to physically return to his duties as Marshal and Executive Officer of the City Court.

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