Louisiana § RS 16:1 - District attorneys; election; term; qualifications; assistants; powers and duties
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 16:1 — District attorneys; election; term; qualifications; assistants; powers and duties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 16:1. District attorneys; election; term; qualifications; assistants; powers and duties
A. In each judicial district and in the parish of Orleans, there shall be a district attorney. He shall be elected at the congressional election, beginning in 1984 and every six years thereafter, shall serve a term of six years, and shall take office and begin his term on the second Monday of January following election. He shall have been admitted to the practice of law in the state for at least five years prior to his election and shall have resided in the judicial district for the two years preceding the election. The district attorney for the parish of Orleans shall have resided therein for two years preceding the election. A district attorney may select assistants as authorized by law, and other personnel.
B. The district attorneys throughout the state of their designated assistants, the parish of Orleans excepted, shall represent the state in all civil actions, and shall have charge of every criminal prosecution by the state in his district, be the representative of the state before the grand juries in his district, and be the legal advisor to the grand juries. He shall perform other duties provided by law.
C. The district attorney for the parish of Orleans or his designated assistant shall have charge of every criminal prosecution by the state in the Criminal District Court for the Parish of Orleans, and represent the state in all matters in the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court.
The district attorney or his designated assistant shall be the representative of the state before the grand juries in the parish of Orleans and shall be the legal advisor to the grand juries. He shall perform other duties provided by law.
D. The term of the district attorney for the parish of Orleans in office on the effective date of this Section shall expire on December 31, 1978. His successor shall be elected at the same time as district attorneys throughout the state in 1978, and thereafter the successors to the office shall be elected at the same time as the district attorneys throughout the state.
Amended by Acts 1975, No. 686, §1; Acts 1981, No. 122, §2; Acts 1993, No. 374, §1.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 16:1
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 16:1 cover?
Section RS 16:1 ("District attorneys; election; term; qualifications; assistants; powers and duties") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 16:1?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 16:1" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 16:1 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.