Jefferson Parish Pulse: The Justice System and Technology during a Pandemic

This week on the Jefferson Parish Pulse, we interviewed the Honorable Scott U. Schlegel, judge for the 24th Judicial District Court in Jefferson Parish. Under Judge Schlegel’s guidance, the 24th Judicial District Court has implemented measures to keep the justice system moving during this uncertain and challenging time. He’s been able to accomplish this with the use of technology!

Judge Schlegel discussed the technology he has put in place to make it easier for the public to connect with his court during the pandemic, why it is so important to innovate within the justice system and what we can expect from the courts as we continue to reopen the Parish in the coming weeks and months. Check out all the ways the 24th Judicial District Court has used technology to become more accessible during the pandemic and beyond. Visit Online Court here.

About Judge Scott U. Schlegel

Judge Scott U. Schlegel was elected to the bench of the 24th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Jefferson, Division D, State of Louisiana, in May 2013 and was soon thereafter appointed to the Management Committee. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Specialty Treatment Court Committee for the 24th JDC. He has also been appointed to serve (1) on the Council of Specialty Court Judges of the Louisiana Supreme Court; (2) on the Executive Board of the Louisiana District Judges Association (LDJA); (3) as Chair of the LDJA/Department of Corrections Liaison Committee; (4) as Chair of the LDJA Technology Committee; and (5) as a member of the Louisiana State Law Institute’s Criminal Code & Code of Criminal Procedure Committee.

As a district court judge, Judge Schlegel handles a variety of cases, including criminal, civil and domestic. Judge Schlegel also serves as a volunteer judge for the Swift & Certain Probation Program and Reentry Court. Judge Schlegel works tirelessly to improve the criminal justice system. He has been awarded the Kevin Kane Justice Award from the Louisiana Family Forum, the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Citizen Lawyer Award, the Public Service Award from the Gillis Long Poverty Center, Loyola University College of Law, and the Business Retention & Expansion Award from the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO). He has also written and spoken about these criminal justice efforts on many occasions. Judge Schlegel is a graduate of the prestigious Presidential Leadership Scholars program where he was afforded the opportunity to learn from national leaders, including President George W. Bush and President Bill Clinton.

Prior to his election, Judge Schlegel was one of the top felony prosecutors in the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office. He practiced civil law with an emphasis in products liability before becoming a prosecutor. Judge Schlegel graduated with honors from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where he served as the President of the Student Bar Association. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Laurie. They have a thirteen-year-old son, Luke.

Feel free to listen to the full interview below (or you can click here). You can also hear us anywhere you listen to your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts,  Spotify and Stitcher. We would LOVE your feedback. Please send your thoughts, questions and show requests to Kelsey Scram at kscram@jedco.org.