Gary Crockett v. State of Louisiana; Jeff Landry, in His Official Capacity as Governor of the State of Louisiana C/W Chelsey Richard Napoleon, in Her Official Capacity as Clerk of Court for Orleans Parish v. City of New Orleans; Jean Paul "j.P." Morrell in His Official Capacity as President of the New Orleans City Council; Helena Moreno in Her Capacity as the Mayor of the City of New Orleans & Calvin Johnson, in His Capacity as City Appointed Interim Clerk of Court for Orleans Pairsh

── Gary Crockett v. State of Louisiana; Jeff Landry, in His Official Capacity as Governor of the State of Louisiana C/W Chelsey Richard Napoleon, in Her Official Capacity as Clerk of Court for Orleans Parish v. City of New Orleans; Jean Paul "j.P." Morrell in His Official Capacity as President of the New Orleans City Council; Helena Moreno in Her Capacity as the Mayor of the City of New Orleans & Calvin Johnson, in His Capacity as City Appointed Interim Clerk of Court for Orleans Pairsh ── Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana Date: June 01, 2026 Category: General FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE #025 FROM: CLERK OF SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA The Opinion handed down on the 1st day of June, 2026 is as follows: PER CURIAM: 2026-CD-00594 GARY CROCKETT VS. STATE OF LOUISIANA; JEFF LANDRY, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, ET AL. C/W CHELSEY RICHARD NAPOLEON, IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS CLERK OF COURT FOR ORLEANS PARISH VS. CITY OF NEW ORLEANS; JEAN PAUL "J.P." MORRELL IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL; HELENA MORENO IN HER CAPACITY AS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS & CALVIN JOHNSON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CITY APPOINTED INTERIM CLERK OF COURT FOR ORLEANS PAIRSH (Parish of East Baton Rouge) STAY LIFTED. WRIT GRANTED. REVERSED AND RENDERED. PERMANENT INJUNCTION IMPOSED. SEE PER CURIAM. Weimer, C.J., dissents and assigns reasons. Hughes, J., additionally concurs and assigns reasons. Griffin, J., dissents and assigns reasons. Guidry, J., dissents and assigns reasons. Cole, J., additionally concurs for the reasons assigned by Justice Hughes.  SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA No. 2026-CD-00594 GARY CROCKETT VS. STATE OF LOUISIANA; JEFF LANDRY, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, ET AL. C/W CHELSEY RICHARD NAPOLEON, IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS CLERK OF COURT FOR ORLEANS PARISH VS. CITY OF NEW ORLEANS; JEAN PAUL "J.P." MORRELL IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL; HELENA MORENO IN HER CAPACITY AS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS & CALVIN JOHNSON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CITY APPOINTED INTERIM CLERK OF COURT FOR ORLEANS PARISH On Supervisory Writ to the 19th Judicial District Court, Parish of East Baton Rouge PER CURIAM In these consolidated matters, we are called upon to determine the constitutionality of Act 15 of the 2026 Regular Session (“Act 15”). For the reasons that follow, we conclude Act 15 represents a valid exercise of legislative power. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY Historically, Orleans Parish has been unique among all parishes in the state insofar as it has separate clerks of court for the Civil District Court and the Criminal District Court. The position of clerk of court for the Civil District Court is currently held by Chelsey Richard Napoleon, who was reelected on November 15, 2025, to a term commencing on May 4, 2026. An election for the position of clerk of Criminal District Court was also held on November 15, 2025, at which time the voters elected Calvin Duncan for a term which was set to begin on May 4, 2026. 1  On April 30, 2026, the governor signed Act 15 into law, and it became immediately effective. Section 4 of the Act (emphasis supplied) provides: Section 4. The provisions of this Act shall not reduce the current term of office of the clerk of criminal district court for the parish of Orleans on the effective date of this Act. The office of clerk of criminal district court for the parish of Orleans shall be abolished at the end of May 3, 2026, and be