Local residents gathered Tuesday evening, September 2, for a community forum featuring the two Republicans vying for an open Baton Rouge City Court judgeship: Calli Boudreaux and Brenden Craig.
The event, hosted by the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition in partnership with The Bayou Progressive, offered voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates on their backgrounds, motivations, and priorities for the court.
The Baton Rouge City Court oversees misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims under $35,000, small claims disputes under $5,000, and the bulk of traffic violations in the parish. A vacancy on one of the court’s five judicial seats prompted this fall’s special election.
Candidate Introductions
Calli Boudreaux, a partner at her Baton Rouge law firm for 15 years, highlighted her experience in medical malpractice and her service as a special assistant attorney general. Raised in Napoleonville, she has lived in Baton Rouge for 25 years. Outside her legal work, she serves as a CASA volunteer for foster children, sits on the board of Companion Animal Alliance, and works with the Rocket Kids Foundation. Boudreaux said her time with CASA has been particularly motivating, describing her campaign as a way to make change “one person at a time.”
Brenden Craig, a Baton Rouge native and lifelong resident, has spent his 16-year career practicing criminal defense and civil law in City Court. He opened his own firm in 2014 and comes from a long line of attorneys, though none served as judges. He described his motivation for running as wanting to “help as many people as you can every day,” and when asked to rate the influence of that motivation on a scale of one to five, answered: “4.75, 4.8, 4.95, maybe five.”
Issues and Takeaways
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Campaign Signage
Both pledged to quickly remove campaign signs after the October 11 election. Craig said his would be gone within a week. Boudreaux said her father would begin removing hers the Sunday or Monday following the election, adding she had made the commitment to “keep Tiger Town beautiful.” -
Perception of City Court as Revenue-Driven
Craig acknowledged directly that “city court is a revenue generator for the city” and proposed expanding the use of community service as an alternative to fines, calculated at $30/hour. Boudreaux did not weigh in on the revenue question but stressed her focus would be on listening to each person’s story and applying the law fairly. -
Serving a Diverse Community
Neither candidate speaks another language, but both support the court’s current use of interpreters and said they would ensure accessibility for non-English speakers and those with disabilities. Craig added that he would consider additional steps if needed. -
Improving Access to Court
Boudreaux emphasized her accessibility and openness to holding town hall-style forums to hear concerns. Craig highlighted the 133,000 outstanding bench warrants—many for unpaid traffic tickets—and said he would create a more welcoming courtroom where people could set up payment plans without fear of immediate jail time. He also argued that City Court should allow cell phones, as District Court does. -
Judiciary and the Legislature
Boudreaux said she supports open lines of communication between the judiciary and legislature “as long as it is legally allowed.” Craig cautioned against speaking on pending cases but noted the City’s DWI ordinance has not been updated to match state law on the 10-year cleansing period, calling it a public safety concern. -
Immigrant and Refugee Communities
Boudreaux described due process as “foundational” and said she would approach immigration-related issues fairly, consulting with immigration attorneys as needed. Craig said he would not report people to ICE for traffic tickets and emphasized that immigration status should not be a factor in City Court proceedings. -
Efficiency and Public Safety
Craig repeated his call for updated case management systems, more Friday dockets, and better notification processes. Boudreaux pledged to run her courtroom like a “tight ship,” drawing on her organizational experience. On public safety, she stressed addressing root problems like substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health. Craig again pointed to the DWI ordinance as an urgent issue.
Both candidates closed by emphasizing their commitment to service. Craig said he was confident in his ability to make City Court the “best court it possibly can be for everyone.” Boudreaux pointed to her blend of legal experience and community work, describing her candidacy as rooted not only in her legal background but also in her “heart.”
The special primary election for Baton Rouge City Court Judge will take place October 11, 2025. Early voting runs from September 27 through October 4 (excluding Sunday, Sept. 28). Voter registration deadlines are Sept. 10 in person or by mail, and Sept. 20 online at geauxvote.com.