CIVIL DIVISION

District Attorney Coenen has strived to serve the governing authorities of the Fifth Judicial District with advice of competent attorneys since his election in 1984. Coenen also was the founder of the Civil Section of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association and has, for over 30 years, advised local towns and governing authorities in their civil duties and responsibilities. Mr. Coenen’s civil division is handled by David P. Doughty, who has over 17 years of experience in dealing with governmental law matters. Mr. Doughty has taught seminars and written articles on subjects such as student discipline, teacher tenure law, and the open meetings law.

Under Louisiana law, the District Attorney’s Office acts as general counsel to the parish governing authority (police jury) and the local school boards. The Civil Division of the District Attorney’s Office represents and advises these public bodies within the parishes of Franklin, Richland and West Carroll. This activity of the District Attorney’s Office deals with governmental and private actions, not criminal actions.

The Civil Division also advises other public bodies within the district such as E-911 communications districts and fire protection districts. Legal issues that arise from the public bodies often concern matters required by state law for governmental bodies such as open and public meetings, and public bidding on materials and supplies. The District Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing these public interest laws as well as ethics code violations by public officials. The Civil Division also works in conjunction with the State Attorney General’s Office and the State Ethics Commission, often requesting advisory opinions from these state officials on matters of governmental law.