On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Louisiana Judiciary Commission dismissed a pending hearing against Baton Rouge Justice of the Peace Tracy Batieste. The dismissal comes after Batieste resigned from her judicial office, which took effect on December 19, 2025. The motion to dismiss was filed by the Office of Special Counsel on January 5, 2026.
Batieste’s troubles began in June of the previous year when the Louisiana State Supreme Court temporarily removed her from her duties. This action followed an investigation by the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana, which found that Batieste’s actions posed a “substantial threat of serious harm to the public or the administration of justice.” The Supreme Court had issued a six-month deadline for the Commission to establish probable cause that Batieste had violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. During her disqualification period, she continued to receive her salary.
The unsealed court documents revealed a series of allegations against Batieste. Two landlords claimed she “charged unauthorized fees, routinely starts her court hours late, and is unresponsive to communications and requests for documentation.” The Commission also learned that Batieste allegedly failed to pay her constable his share of fees generated by the court. Additional complaints from other landlords accused her of “unduly delaying proceedings and is unresponsive to communications and requests for information.”
The Commission also stated that the Justice of the Peace was uncooperative in answering some of its questions, until finally “served with a subpoena to do so.” The documents further stated, “In this case, it was clear that the Commission had to proceed immediately upon receiving credible evidence that JP Batieste is overcharging the citizens of her ward to have access to justice, as well as leaving them subject to her other whims, including unjustifiable delays and inconsistent communications.”
Batieste’s constable claimed she owed him nearly $25,000 in fees for documents he served on her behalf. Batieste admitted owing the constable money but believed the amount was closer to $5,000, citing months when she was in the hospital and alleging staff theft. Batieste, who oversaw Ward 2, District 3, assumed office in January 2021. Her term was originally set to expire in December 2026.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
