---
title: "James Jay Caraway | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-jay-caraway-7368"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# James Jay Caraway

Louisiana Court of Appeal · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
- State: Louisiana
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Of Counsel · Colvin, Smith, McKay & Bays · 2017 · present
- Judge, Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1996-present
- After leaving the bench in 2016, Caraway joined Colvin Smith McKay & Bays as Of Counsel in Shreveport and Bossier City.
- Circuit Judge · Second Circuit Court of Appeal · Div C · 1996 · 2016
- Retired judge of the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal, serving from 1996 until 2016, with a career spanning over 30 years in judicial and legal work
- He also held the role of justice ad hoc of the Louisiana Supreme Court in 2001
- Justice ad hoc of the Louisiana Supreme Court (April 2001) and Louisiana representative to the 1999 National Symposium on the Future of the Judicial Branch
- Adjunct Professor - Oil & Gas · LSU · 1990 · 1996
- Attorney · Blanchard, Walker, O'Quin & Roberts · 1980 · 1996

### Education

- M.B.A. — Louisiana Tech University
- Louisiana Tech University — B.S.

### Additional information

- He was re‐elected in 2012 but lost the 2016 primary to Jeff Cox.
- Elected in 1996 to the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal, serving until his term ended on December 31, 2016.
- Speed (2009), cited over 196 times.
- Judge Caraway practiced law for 15 years as a member and director of the private firm Blanchard, Walker, O'Quin & Roberts in Shreveport before being elected in 1996 to the Second Circuit Court of Appeal.
- Practitioner, 1995-1995
- J.D. — LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center — 1980
- Before joining the court, Caraway practiced law for 15 years at Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts in Shreveport
- handling business litigation, property, and oil and gas disputes.
- His most‐cited decision is State v.
- He also had trial experience in cases appealed to the Louisiana appellate courts, the U.S. Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court
- He continues to give continuing legal education presentations on topics such as torts, succession, property, and oil and gas law

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/7368/james-jay-caraway/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7368/james-jay-caraway/)
- [Louisiana Court of Appeal current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7368/james-jay-caraway/)
- [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7368/james-jay-caraway/)
- [Jay Caraway - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Caraway)

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