Current:

Currently, the District Attorney serves as the legal adviser to the Council, the Parish President, and all boards and commissions in St. Tammany and represents them in legal proceedings. The current process works, but there is no guarantee that it will always do so.

Proposed:

Parish Council has option to create a legal department by Ordinance

Discussion:

• State law allows parishes operating under Home Rule to have independent legal departments
• D.A. is elected - has different geographic territory
• Services of Assistant DA's not free
• Ordinance could state that Parish President and Parish Council would hire separate legal counsel which is effectively what has occurred since 2000
• Ordinance could allow most of the Boards and Commissions operating under St. Tammany Parish government to use independent counsel’s office