On Thursday, December 11, 2025, News 15 reported that Judge Royale Colbert of the 15th Judicial District Court has been suspended without pay for six months by the Louisiana Supreme Court. This decision follows findings by the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana that Colbert engaged in misconduct related to two separate incidents. While the commission initially recommended a 30-day suspension, the Supreme Court imposed a more severe penalty.
The first incident involved Colbert signing a temporary restraining order for a concert venue located in Lafayette. According to the Judiciary Commission, Colbert failed to adhere to proper legal procedures in this instance. Specifically, he engaged in ex parte communications and improperly signed the order before a formal petition had been filed.
The second incident stemmed from a traffic stop where Colbert was pulled over for running a red light. During the stop, Colbert displayed uncooperative behavior and engaged in a verbally combative exchange with the police officer. He also attempted to use his judicial position to intimidate the officer and question his credibility.
The Judiciary Commission determined that Colbert’s actions violated multiple canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Louisiana Constitution. Although Colbert admitted to the violations and expressed remorse for his behavior, both the commission and the Louisiana Supreme Court concluded that his misconduct significantly damaged public trust in the judiciary.
In addition to the six-month suspension, Colbert is mandated to attend anger management classes. He is also required to cover costs totaling $2,635.96. The Louisiana Supreme Court underscored the critical need to uphold the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system in its ruling.
Source: News 15
