Former Assistant U.S. Attorney runs for criminal court judge

By Christopher Tidmore
Contributing Writer

“Judges should be fair to every person who comes before the court and judges must have integrity and avoid the appearance of impropriety,” says Byron C. Williams. And he knows that he could be that kind of judge and that’s why he is running for the open Criminal District Court seat.

“My experience and qualifications have prepared me for the job, and my lifelong commitment to the community will help us make a change from the old way where politicians served themselves to a new way: a court that truly serves the community.”

These are not just words to the Criminal Court Section G candidate. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney and later Special Counsel to the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana, he was the man responsible for investigating judicial impropriety. The “Wrinkled Robe” sting in Jefferson Parish that ended with a judge going to jail himself occurred, in large part, due to Williams’ efforts.

Besides ensuring fairness and managing an effective docket management.”, he explained to The Louisiana Weekly, “I believe the judge needs to be on the bench early to get the court work done, but also to go out into the community to prevent crime. Our goal as a city has to be to stop crime before it happens – we have too many young people spending too many years in jail. I have seen the difference discipline and leadership can make in the lives of young people; if judges work closely with community organizations, faith-based groups, and churches, we can create more of the kind of programs that correct people when they’ve taken the first step off the right path.”

Williams’ personal life, working with kids, he sees as the best preparation for the job. “I have for many years been a coach of young people: football, baseball, and basketball. Coaching taught me more about human nature and especially about character than almost anything else in my life. Through athletics, I have been able to mentor young people, to help them develop character and commitment.

Most of all, as a coach I had to see not only the young person as they were and have the compassion to attend to them, but also I had to see the potential within them and have the commitment to help that young person develop their potential. Those lessons in commitment, character, and compassion are essential to being a good judge in New Orleans, where we must be fair to every person who comes before the court while also trying to take proactive steps to stop crime before it happens.”

This article originally published in the October 27, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.