--- title: "\"Don\" Johnson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/don-johnson-judge-louisiana-19th-judicial-district-court-section-1-division-b-la" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # "Don" Johnson Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court - State: Louisiana - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - University of Southern Mississippi — Ph.D., Criminal Justice Administration (minor in statistics), 2014 - University of Nevada, Reno — Master of Justice Management, 2008 - Judge, Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court - from 2006 - Loyola University New Orleans — Master of Criminal Justice, 2006 - Judge, City Court of Baton Rouge - 1999 to 2006 - Private Practice Attorney — Private Law Office - through 1999 - Assistant District Attorney — East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office - from 1982 - Began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in East Baton Rouge Parish and later opened his own law practice, the Law Offices of Donald R. Johnson & Associates - He has also held the role of Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial District Court and is recognized as the longest-serving trial judge in East Baton Rouge Parish, with over 29 years of judicial experience - Beyond the bench, Johnson has taught criminal justice courses at The University of Phoenix and the National Judicial College ### Education - University of Nevada, Reno — Ph.D., Judicial Studies, 2018 - University of Nevada, Reno — Master of Judicial Studies, 2009 - Louisiana State University — J.D. (1982) - Southern University — B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1977 ### Additional information - Term Ends 2026. - Elected 2006. - First elected to the Baton Rouge City Court in 1993 and subsequently to the 19th Judicial District Court in 1999, where he has served across multiple divisions including Criminal, Civil, Traffic, Drug Treatment, and Pretrial Release Courts. - Facilitator / Instructor — University of Phoenix - Instructor — National Judicial College - He emphasizes interactive teaching and student engagement. - served all divisions. - Judge Donald R. Johnson is a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has an extensive legal and judicial career. - Widely regarded as a strong candidate for higher judicial positions, including potential vacancies on the First Circuit Court of Appeals, reflecting his extensive experience, academic achievements, and dedication to public service - He has also received numerous certifications in judicial skills, dispute resolution, and educational facilitation - focusing on trial procedure, criminal law, and co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders. - His community recognition includes awards such as the Black History Pioneer Award, Distinguished Community Service Award, Honorary Secretary of State of Louisiana, the Gus Young Non-Violence Committee Humanitarian Award, and the William R. McMahon Award from the American Bar Association for technological advancements in court management ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### electronic or photographic presentation of evidence Scope: statewide Louisiana trial judges may authorize electronic or photographic means for presenting evidence, preserving the record, counsel use, or judicial-administration purposes. Evidence excerpt: A trial judge may authorize ... the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### broadcast recording photography Scope: statewide Louisiana judges generally prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing courtroom proceedings unless a Canon 3A(9) exception applies. Evidence excerpt: a judge shall prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### appellate extended media coverage Scope: statewide Louisiana appellate courts may permit extended media coverage in public appellate proceedings, subject to the authority of the court and presiding judge or panel. Evidence excerpt: An appellate court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, and taking photographs of public judicial proceedings [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.louisianajudiciary.com/judges/don-johnson/) - [Official roster](https://www.louisianajudiciary.com/judges/don-johnson/) - [Louisiana Judiciary public directory official judicial roster](https://www.louisianajudiciary.com/judges/don-johnson/) - [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC) - [Supplied Louisiana biography research](https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/don-johnson-judge-louisiana-19th-judicial-district-court-section-1-division-b-la) - [Supplied Louisiana biography research](https://ballotpedia.org) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/don-johnson-judge-louisiana-19th-judicial-district-court-section-1-division-b-la", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/don-johnson-judge-louisiana-19th-judicial-district-court-section-1-division-b-la", "name": "\"Don\" Johnson | KnowJudges", "description": "\"Don\" Johnson, Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court. 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Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC). Collected 2026-07-26.