---
title: "Sylvia Cooks | KnowJudges"
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updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Sylvia Cooks

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, 1992-present
- Former prison journalist case (2022): Ruled that a district judge lacked standing to recover $127,000 in court costs from the journalist, clarifying Louisiana’s court cost rules
- Chief Judge: held the role of the first woman Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeal from January 1, 2021, until her term ended in 2022
- Circuit Judge · Third Circuit Court of Appeal · 1992-10-01 · 2022 · Chief Judge 2013-18
- Assistant District Attorney · 15th JDC

### Education

- Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge — J.D.
- Louisiana State University — B.S.

### Additional information

- General Counsel · Louisiana Takes A Stand
- J.D. — LSU Law Center

## 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/7373/sylvia-cooks/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7373/sylvia-cooks/)
- [Louisiana Court of Appeal current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7373/sylvia-cooks/)
- [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/7373/sylvia-cooks/)
- [Sylvia Cooks - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sylvia_Cooks)

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