On Friday, August 22, 2025, Justice of the Peace Larry Spencer, serving Ward 3, District 3 in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, entered into a Deferred Recommendation of Discipline Agreement with the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana.
The agreement addresses allegations outlined in a Notice of Hearing filed on August 6, 2025, in Case No. 0402, concerning Spencer’s conduct as a judicial officer.
The agreement, spanning three years from the date of signing by the Commission’s Chair, stipulates several conditions for Spencer to avoid formal disciplinary action by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Under the terms, Spencer acknowledges that his actions violated Canons 1, 2, 2A, 3A(1), and 3B(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct (1996) and Article V, Section 25(C) of the Louisiana Constitution (1974). These violations pertain to the improper handling of filing fees and the misuse of contempt powers, as detailed in the Notice of Hearing.
Spencer is required to complete three additional judicial ethics or civil procedure courses annually, beyond his existing training obligations through the Attorney General’s Office. These courses, preferably focusing on contempt procedures or filing fees, must be approved by the Commission in advance, with certifications of completion submitted within 30 days of each course. Additionally, Spencer must strictly adhere to Louisiana Revised Statutes 13:2590 and 13:2590.1, ensuring proper management of filing fees, including maintaining a separate account for fees designated for the clerk of court’s compensation and operational expenses.
To demonstrate compliance, Spencer will submit quarterly written certifications and accounting documents in the first year, followed by biannual submissions in the subsequent two years. Any new meritorious complaints against him during the agreement’s term will constitute a default, potentially reactivating the Notice of Hearing. In such a case, Spencer agrees to admit all allegations in the Notice without further proof and accepts a public censure by the Louisiana Supreme Court as the consent discipline. However, the Court retains authority to impose alternative sanctions.
The Notice of Hearing alleges three counts of misconduct. First, since taking office in January 2014, Spencer failed to segregate enhanced fees collected for a clerk’s services, commingling them with other court funds and using them for general court expenses, violating La. R.S. 13:2590.1(C).
Second, from March 2020 to at least March 2022, Spencer continued collecting these fees despite not consistently employing a clerk, including periods when his wife performed clerk duties voluntarily.
Third, on March 23, 2022, Spencer improperly fined an attorney $50 for direct contempt without allowing a defense, as required by the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 223. He later imposed an additional $50 fine for non-payment, incorrectly treating it as direct contempt rather than constructive contempt, which exceeds his authority under Article 4914.
Spencer must also pay $1,503.50 to cover the Commission’s investigation and litigation costs within 30 days of the agreement’s effective date. Failure to comply with any terms, including payment, will trigger default provisions. Spencer affirmed his voluntary consent to the terms, having had the opportunity to consult legal counsel.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
