Louisiana Supreme Court requires domestic violence, trauma training for judges

NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Supreme Court issued a new order Wednesday requiring all judges in the state to complete one hour of training every other year focused on domestic violence and trauma-informed court practices.

Offered by the Louisiana Judicial College and Protective Order Registry, the training will cover protective orders, the effects of violence on adults and children, and best practices for reducing trauma in courtrooms.

Justice John Michael Guidry, who recommended the rule, said rising domestic violence rates made the training essential, a release said.

"We realize the serious step of mandating judicial coursework on a specific subject," Justice Guidry stated. "However, domestic violence remains a critical issue for Louisiana. This specialized judicial training will give