7 Critical Updates: What The Caddo Parish DA Office Is Doing Right Now In 2025
The Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office, under the leadership of District Attorney James E. Stewart, Sr., is the chief prosecuting agency for the First Judicial District of Louisiana, based in Shreveport. As of December 20, 2025, the office remains intensely focused on its mission of ensuring justice, promoting public safety, and supporting victims through a series of updated policies and robust community programs.
This article provides an in-depth, current look at the office’s structure, the extensive biography of its leader, and the most critical initiatives defining its work in late 2025, including a major policy shift on domestic violence cases and the results of the latest Caddo Parish Grand Jury session.
The Architect of Justice: A Profile of DA James E. Stewart, Sr.
The Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office is helmed by James E. Stewart, Sr., a figure with a distinguished career spanning over four decades in the legal system.
Stewart, Sr. was elected to the position of Caddo Parish District Attorney on November 21, 2015, marking a significant milestone as the first Black District Attorney in the parish's history.
His extensive experience is rooted in both the prosecution and judiciary sides of the law, providing a unique perspective to the chief prosecutor role.
Complete Biography and Career Highlights:
- Current Role: District Attorney for the First Judicial District (Caddo Parish).
- Election Date: November 21, 2015.
- Total Legal Experience: Over 45 years as a lawyer and judge.
- Judicial Service: Served as a Judge on the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal (1994–2015) and the First Judicial District Court (1991–1994).
- Early Career: Began his career as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Shreveport and later as an Assistant District Attorney for Caddo Parish.
- Education: Honor graduate of C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport (1973) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
- Key Personnel: The First Assistant District Attorney is Laura Fulco.
- Recognition: Stewart has been recognized for his commitment to community service, including receiving the Liberty Bell Award.
5 Major Initiatives Defining the Caddo Parish DA Office in 2025
The work of the Caddo Parish DA’s office is defined by its commitment to both rigorous prosecution of serious crimes and innovative approaches to rehabilitation. The year 2025 has been marked by several key updates and policy shifts designed to improve judicial efficiency and community outcomes.
1. The Major Domestic Violence Policy Shift (January 2025)
One of the most significant changes in the Caddo Parish judicial landscape is the new policy regarding domestic violence cases. As of January 1, 2025, all domestic violence arrests in Caddo Parish are now exclusively prosecuted by the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office.
Previously, many of these cases were handled by the Shreveport City Attorney’s office. This consolidation ensures a more consistent, specialized, and dedicated approach to prosecuting these sensitive and critical cases within the Caddo Parish District Court.
2. Latest Caddo Parish Grand Jury Action (December 2025)
In a demonstration of the office’s ongoing commitment to public safety, the Caddo Parish Grand Jury session that concluded on December 18, 2025 (just days before this writing), returned five true bills against four Shreveport men.
These actions represent the immediate and continuous effort by the DA’s Criminal Division to prosecute felony and misdemeanor cases, ensuring that justice is administered swiftly and fairly for the community of Shreveport and Caddo Parish.
3. Expansion of Diversion and Restorative Justice Programs
The DA's office actively champions alternatives to traditional incarceration for first-time, non-violent offenders and juveniles. These Diversion Programs are a cornerstone of their restorative justice philosophy.
- Pretrial Diversion Program: This program allows eligible first-time, non-violent offenders to participate in rehabilitation and community service, offering a path to clear their record and avoid the long-term consequences of a criminal conviction.
- Restorative Justice Diversion Program: Working closely with the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court, this program focuses on juvenile delinquency cases. The goal is to repair the harm caused by the juvenile's actions through structured accountability and community engagement, rather than punitive measures alone.
- Sex Industry Diversion Program ("Exit Strategy"): A highly specialized initiative, the "Exit Strategy" program provides resources and support to individuals involved in the sex industry, focusing on rehabilitation and offering a path out of the cycle of exploitation and arrest.
4. Comprehensive Victim/Witness Support Services
A core function of the Caddo Parish DA’s Office is its dedication to victims and witnesses. The Victim Assistance Program (VAP) and the Victim/Witness Division provide essential support throughout the judicial process.
These services include providing guidance on court proceedings, offering referrals to critical community resources (such as counseling, financial assistance, and shelter), and helping victims navigate systems like the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS).
5. Collaboration with the Caddo Parish Criminal Justice Task Force
The DA's office is a key participant in the Caddo Parish Criminal Justice Task Force, which works to analyze and improve the efficiency of the local justice system.
This collaborative effort focuses on managing the costs and population of the Caddo Correctional Center (CCC) and ensuring that all components of the system—from the Public Defender's office to the courts—operate effectively to serve the community.
Navigating the Caddo Parish Judicial System: Divisions and Resources
The operational structure of the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office is divided into specialized sections to handle the diverse legal needs of the First Judicial District. This structure ensures that every case, from a misdemeanor to a capital felony, receives expert attention.
Key Divisions and Their Functions
The office is organized into several crucial divisions, each dedicated to a specific area of justice and community protection:
- Criminal Division: The primary prosecutorial arm, handling all felony and misdemeanor cases that occur within Caddo Parish. This division is responsible for the rigorous preparation and presentation of cases to the Caddo Parish District Court.
- Juvenile Division: Focused on cases involving minors, this division works closely with the Restorative Justice Diversion Program to prioritize rehabilitation and intervention over traditional punitive measures for young offenders.
- Victim/Witness Division: As detailed above, this division is crucial for providing emotional, logistical, and informational support to those affected by crime, ensuring they are not lost in the judicial process.
- Diversion Programs: This section manages the various alternatives to prosecution, including the Pretrial Diversion and Exit Strategy programs, aimed at reducing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration into the community.
The Importance of Local Engagement
The Caddo Parish DA's office views its role as extending beyond the courtroom. Through community outreach and stakeholder meetings, especially those involving local juvenile stakeholders, the office continuously seeks to address root causes of crime and build a safer environment in Shreveport and the surrounding areas. [cite: 8 (from step 1), 4]
For citizens, understanding the function of the DA's office—from how to contact the Victim Assistance Program to the eligibility requirements for a Diversion Program—is essential for engaging with the local justice system. The office operates on the principle of fighting for justice every day to protect the community.
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