--- title: "James M. Stephens | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-m-stephens-judge-louisiana-2nd-circuit-court-of-appeal-1st-dist-elec-sect-2a-la" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James M. Stephens Louisiana 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal · Judge ## Profile - Court: Louisiana 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal - 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 - “Jimbo” Stephens is an Independent judge of the Louisiana 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal, First District, Section 2A, serving since 2017 with a term ending in 2028 - 5th Judicial District Court Judge (2007–2017) — served in Franklin, Richland, and West Carroll Parishes - Judge - incumbent · court: Louisiana 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal, 1st Dist, Elec - Chief Judge of the 5th Judicial District during part of his tenure ### Education - Bachelor's — Louisiana State University - Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center — Law — J.D. ### Additional information - 2A · term: Elected 2017 and 2018, Term Ends 2028 · elected: 2017, 2018 · notes: Party: I (Independent), Office in Monroe, travels to Shreveport panel with 8 other judges - Judge · court: 5th Judicial District Court · term: Approximately 10 years, 6 years as Chief Judge (prior to 2017) · notes: Served as District Judge in general jurisdiction court - Attorney - Private Practice — Louisiana · years: Prior to ~2007, nearly 34 years total legal experience per official profile - Sec. - 2A - Part of Ouachita, Morehouse, West Carroll, all of Richland and Franklin Parishes · division: Elec. - James M. ## 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/james-jimbo-m-stephens/) - [Official roster](https://www.louisianajudiciary.com/judges/james-jimbo-m-stephens/) - [Louisiana Judiciary public directory official judicial roster](https://www.louisianajudiciary.com/judges/james-jimbo-m-stephens/) - [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC) - [Supplied Louisiana biography research](https://shreveportbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Announcements-CLE-Information-And-Presenters.pdf) - [Supplied Louisiana biography research](https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-m-stephens-judge-louisiana-2nd-circuit-court-of-appeal-1st-dist-elec-sect-2a-la) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-m-stephens-judge-louisiana-2nd-circuit-court-of-appeal-1st-dist-elec-sect-2a-la", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-m-stephens-judge-louisiana-2nd-circuit-court-of-appeal-1st-dist-elec-sect-2a-la", "name": "James M. 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