Judge Laurie White

The Honorable Laurie A. White is the presiding District Court Judge at Criminal District Court in Orleans Parish, Section “A.” While she has general jurisdiction, she hears only criminal matters. Judge White was elected to the bench in November 2007 to fill a one year unexpired term and ran unopposed in July 2008 being re-elected to a six year term. Since being elected to the bench, Judge White, along with Judge Arthur Hunter of the Orleans Criminal Court, began the Orleans Re-Entry Court Workforce Development Program. Established by legislative enactment in 2010, the Re-Entry Court is an innovative model aimed at reducing recidivism in Louisiana.
Before being elected to the bench, Judge White practiced in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana for twenty (20) years. She began her career as a prosecutor in Orleans and EastBaton Rouge Parishes. She worked as a City Attorney defending the New Orleans Police Department in false arrest and brutality claims and general civil litigation matters. Judge White also practiced in the civil realm as an insurance defense attorney. She ran a successful law firm for fifteen years, managing numerous attorneys and staff while handling all types of criminal matters and other legal cases. In 2012, Judge White was appointed to the Louisiana Sentencing Commission by Governor Bobby Jindal. She currently serves as the 2012-2013 Committee Chair for the Louisiana State Bar Association, Criminal Justice Committee. Judge White is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, all Louisiana Federal District Courts, and is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.