Slidell City Prosecutor Reginald Laurent Announces Candidacy for Judge

COVINGTON—Slidell City Prosecutor Reginald “Reggie” Laurent announced June 15th in front of

the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center that he is seeking to become the next District Judge in Division H.

“I want to add a new dimension to our judiciary,” said Laurent, a lifelong Slidell resident. “My experience, values, vision, education, and knowledge of the people in the Northshore community will raise the bar. I wish to enhance, rather than simply maintain or lower the standards.”

The District H seat was vacated by Allison Penzato, who was sworn onto the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge in March after running unopposed.

Laurent said he is a supporter of the Specialty Courts, which identify defendants with issues, such as drug addiction or alcoholism, and use the authority of the court to push them into rehabilitative programs that can change their lives and end the cycle of crime and recidivism. Laurent proposes the creation of a Mentoring Specialty Court, which would match certain qualified defendants with volunteer mentors from a network of community-based partner organizations. Mentors would provide emotional support, encouragement, and other practical assistance to offenders in need of guidance. “The aim is overcoming some of the traditional barriers to successful rehabilitation—a carrot, not a stick,” Laurent said. “Mentoring will produce a healthier community and healthier families.”

Laurent said he also will emphasize good docket management. He said he would keep the court docket moving smoothly and rapidly in a fashion similar to federal court. “Further, as impartiality is the primary feature of our judiciary, I offer true independence,” he said. “Favoritism will be nonexistent. There will be no unilateral communication with lawyers. I will listen to and treat all parties fairly, professionally, and with courtesy.”

Laurent said his training and life experience have prepared him for this new role.

He is a 1971 graduate of Salmen High School, which he and his siblings helped to integrate. He worked his way through LSU with part-time jobs on and off campus and graduated in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political theory. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard as a merchant marine for a year and then returned to LSU to study accounting. He entered Tulane University’s Law School in the fall of 1983 and was recognized during his second year as a standout student by then-longtime professor A.N. Yiannopoulos, whom Laurent served as a research assistant for nearly two years.

After graduating from Tulane University Law School in 1986, Laurent opened his private law practice in Slidell and began a varied legal career. From 1987 to 1992, he worked for the New Orleans Police Department as Assistant City Attorney then Deputy City Attorney and Legal Counsel for the Chief of Police. In 1996, he served as co-lead counsel of a committee of attorneys appointed by the 22nd Judicial District to represent residents of Bogalusa in a class action lawsuit after a chemical spill. The successful lawsuit resulted in the one of the largest settlements in the court district’s history. Since 2010, Laurent has served as City Prosecutor for Slidell City Court. 

For more information, visit his Facebook Page, Reginald J. Laurent for Judge, or website, www.ReginaldLaurent.com or contact campaign spokeswoman Emily Purvis at 985-275-0401.

Election Day is Oct. 14th with early voting from Sept. 30th through Oct. 7th.