--- title: "Phillip M. Lester | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-m-lester-bastrop-city-court-la" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Phillip M. Lester Bastrop City Court · City or Parish Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Bastrop City Court - State: Louisiana - Role: City or Parish Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-29 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge Lester has held the role of City Court Judge for Bastrop, Morehouse Parish since his election in 2009 - The presiding judge of the City Court of Bastrop, Louisiana, first elected in 2009, known for improving court efficiency, expanding community services, and implementing innovative sentencing programs - It lists Louisiana/Texas admissions (1991) and Western District admission (1992), with injury, bankruptcy, family, real estate and probate practice. - Law degree from Louisiana State University Law School in 1991 before establishing a respected legal practice. ### Education ### Additional information - It records initial election in 2009 and credits alternative sentencing/treatment for nonviolent youth, probation, diversion and teen court, court-time/procedure changes for efficiency and budget control, and emphasis on respectful treatment. - gives birth in 1966, Bastrop upbringing, Northeast Louisiana BA (1988) and LSU JD (1991). - Attorney at Private Practice - Bastrop, LA. - Outside of his judicial role, Phillip M. Lester is also recognized as a Bastrop, LA attorney practicing in general civil matters, real estate transactions, and personal injury - He was raised in Bastrop - It lists church and youth sports volunteering, wife April and son Caden. ## 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.lasc.org/press_room/annual_reports/reports/2025_Guide_to_Louisiana_Courts.pdf) - [Official roster](https://www.lasc.org/press_room/annual_reports/reports/2025_Guide_to_Louisiana_Courts.pdf) - [Louisiana Supreme Court official judicial roster](https://www.lasc.org/press_room/annual_reports/reports/2025_Guide_to_Louisiana_Courts.pdf) - [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC) - [LA Batch 12 supplied biography research source](https://lawyers.lawyerlegion.com/louisiana/bastrop) - [LA Batch 12 supplied biography research source](https://www.lawyers.com/bastrop/louisiana/phillip-m-lester-587940-f/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-m-lester-bastrop-city-court-la", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-m-lester-bastrop-city-court-la", "name": "Phillip M. 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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.