The Louisiana Supreme Court suspended Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Jennifer M. Medley for 30 days without pay after finding she violated multiple canons of judicial conduct during her 2020 campaign for office. The court issued its opinion Oct. 24, 2025, in a disciplinary proceeding initiated by the Louisiana Judiciary Commission.
The court upheld two of four charges against Judge Medley, finding violations of Canons 7A(9), 7B(1), and 7B(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct, as well as Article V, Section 25(C) of the Louisiana Constitution. The violations occurred during her campaign for judicial office in 2020, when she successfully defeated then-incumbent Judge Christopher Bruno in what the court described as a "hotly contested campaign."
Judge Medley assumed office Jan. 1, 2021, and has served continuously since that time. The disciplinary case arose from complaints filed by the Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, media reports, and a complaint filed by Judge Medley herself.
The Judiciary Commission had originally recommended that Judge Medley be suspended for 30 days without pay and ordered to reimburse the full amount of the commission's investigation costs totaling $5,494.81. However, the Louisiana Supreme Court found that the commission failed to meet its burden of proof on two of the four charges, dismissing Counts I and III for insufficient evidence.
The court wrote that while the charges in Counts II and IV were "supported by clear and convincing evidence," the Commission "failed to meet its burden of proof on Counts I and III." As a result, the court ordered Judge Medley to reimburse only half of the commission's costs, reducing the financial penalty to $2,747.41.
Canon 7A(9) of the Code of Judicial Conduct governs improper campaign conduct and prohibits judges and judicial candidates from engaging in certain activities that could compromise judicial independence or impartiality. Canon 7B(1) and 7B(3) establish additional restrictions on campaign activities, including limitations on solicitation of funds and endorsements.
The Louisiana Constitution's Article V, Section 25(C) provides the constitutional foundation for judicial conduct standards and disciplinary procedures. These provisions work together to ensure that judges maintain the highest standards of integrity and impartiality both on and off the bench.
The Supreme Court's opinion was authored by Justice James Cole, with Chief Justice John Weimer additionally concurring and assigning reasons. Justices Crain and McCallum also concurred with the majority opinion.
This is not Judge Medley's first encounter with judicial discipline. The court noted that she was previously admonished by the Judiciary Commission on Dec. 22, 2022, for holding an attorney in direct contempt of court without following proper legal procedures and for imposing an unauthorized contempt sentence. That incident occurred April 19, 2022, more than a year after she took office.
The disciplinary action reflects the Louisiana judiciary's commitment to maintaining ethical standards among its judges. The Judiciary Commission serves as the state's judicial watchdog, investigating complaints against judges and recommending appropriate disciplinary measures to the Supreme Court when violations are found.
Judicial campaign conduct has become an increasingly scrutinized area as courts seek to balance judges' First Amendment rights with the need to preserve judicial independence and public confidence in the courts. The canons governing campaign conduct are designed to prevent activities that could create the appearance of bias or compromise a judge's ability to rule impartially.
The suspension will be served without pay, meaning Judge Medley will lose approximately one month's salary in addition to the $2,747.41 reimbursement to the Judiciary Commission. The timing and logistics of the suspension were not detailed in the court's opinion.
The case demonstrates the ongoing efforts by Louisiana's judicial oversight system to ensure judges adhere to the highest ethical standards. The Judiciary Commission's investigation and the Supreme Court's review process provide multiple layers of accountability for judicial conduct.
Judge Medley's suspension adds to a growing body of precedent regarding acceptable campaign conduct for judicial candidates in Louisiana. The decision may influence how future judicial candidates structure their campaigns and conduct their activities while seeking office.
The court's decision to reduce the financial penalty while upholding the suspension suggests a measured approach to judicial discipline, acknowledging violations while recognizing that not all charges were substantiated. This balanced outcome reflects the court's careful consideration of the evidence and the appropriate level of discipline for the sustained violations.