Calvin Duncan cleared to take office after federal judge grants temporary restraining order
A federal judge on Sunday granted a temporary restraining order, blocking a new Louisiana law that would have eliminated the Orleans Parish criminal clerk of court office, allowing clerk-elect Calvin Duncan to take office as scheduled on Monday.
U.S. District Court Judge John deGravelles granted Duncan a temporary restraining order and ruled that Senate Bill 256 is "unconstitutional," according to court records. The order stops Gov. Jeff Landry and Secretary of State Nancy Landry from enforcing the law.
The legislation, signed by Landry on Thursday as Act 15, was set to take effect late Sunday night. It would have merged the Orleans Parish criminal clerk’s responsibilities into the civil clerk’s office.
Duncan, an attorney and exoneree who spent 28 years in prison, was elected in November with 68% of the vote.
U.S. District Court Judge John deGravelles granted Duncan a temporary restraining order and ruled that Senate Bill 256 is "unconstitutional," according to court records. The order stops Gov. Jeff Landry and Secretary of State Nancy Landry from enforcing the law.
The legislation, signed by Landry on Thursday as Act 15, was set to take effect late Sunday night. It would have merged the Orleans Parish criminal clerk’s responsibilities into the civil clerk’s office.
Duncan, an attorney and exoneree who spent 28 years in prison, was elected in November with 68% of the vote.