---
title: "Tonya Smith Lurry | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tonya-smith-lurry-judge-louisiana-18th-judicial-district-court-division-b-la"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Tonya Smith Lurry

Louisiana 18th Judicial District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Louisiana 18th Judicial District Court
- 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

- District Judge · 18th JDC · Div B · 2018-04-28 · present · Elected April 28 2018, Chief Judge 2023-present
- Assistant District Attorney · 18th JDC · 2000 · 2018

### Education

- Southern University Law Center — J.D. (1999)
- Louisiana State University — B.S. (1996)

### Additional information

- Solo practitioner · Port Allen · 2000 · 2018
- Public Defender · EBR / WBR · 2000 · 2018
- Student worker · State of Louisiana · 1996 · 1999
- Port Allen High School — 1992
- Owner · Daycare

## 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/tonya-smith-lurry/)
- [Official roster](https://www.louisianajudiciary.com/judges/tonya-smith-lurry/)
- [Louisiana Judiciary public directory official judicial roster](https://www.louisianajudiciary.com/judges/tonya-smith-lurry/)
- [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c043a9f2e3e33988fd8575e4) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  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.