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title: "Paul A. Bonin | KnowJudges"
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---

# Paul A. Bonin

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

- Judge, Louisiana Court of Appeal, 2008-present
- In 2020, Bonin faced a federal class action lawsuit alleging he steered criminal defendants to ETOH, a private electronic monitoring company co-owned by his former law partner Leonard Levenson
- From 2017 to 2020, he served on the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court (Section D), presiding over more jury trials than any other Louisiana district judge.
- Circuit Judge · Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal · 1995 · 2019
- Assistant Professor - Criminal Justice · Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) · 1997 · 2008
- Judge · Municipal Court · 1990 · 1995
- Bonin’s judicial path began in 1990 as Commissioner and Judge ad hoc in the Civil District Court of New Orleans
- Attorney · Bonin Law Firm · New Orleans · 1976 · 1990
- He also taught criminal justice at Southern University at New Orleans and held leadership roles in judicial associations

### Education

- Loyola University New Orleans College of Law — J.D. (1976)
- Loyola University Law School — J.D.

### Additional information

- In 2008, he was elected without opposition to the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, where he authored numerous opinions and championed broader publication of writ applications
- He was elected in 1997 to the New Orleans Traffic Court, where his work earned awards and recognition.
- Before his judicial roles, Bonin was admitted to the bar in 1976 and practiced personal injury, contested successions, business organization, and criminal defense law, including service as Louisiana Assistant Attorney General
- Before being elected to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, Bonin was Traffic Court Division C judge and Civil District Court ad hoc judge.
- Known for being the first to use ankle bracelet technology to detect alcohol use by underage and repeat DWI offenders.
- The case was brought by the Institute for Justice, and the Louisiana Judiciary Commission was notified, though its investigations are confidential
- B.A. — St. Joseph Seminary — Philosophy
- The suit, filed by attorneys for two defendants, claimed Bonin made pretrial release and jail decisions influenced by ETOH’s financial interests, and that he threatened incarceration for defendants behind on monitoring payments
- Retired Louisiana judge with over 23 years of judicial service, known for his work in traffic court, appellate law, and felony trial courts, as well as for a high-profile legal controversy over alleged ties to an electronic monitoring company
- Bonin’s career combined extensive trial and appellate experience with active judicial leadership and community service.

## 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/7360/paul-a-bonin/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7360/paul-a-bonin/)
- [Louisiana Court of Appeal current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7360/paul-a-bonin/)
- [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/7360/paul-a-bonin/)
- [Paul Bonin - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Paul_Bonin)

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