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Public witnesses allege family‑court misconduct; task force reminds the public it is not a fact‑finder
Summary
During public comment at the Oct. 16 task‑force hearing, three attendees accused family‑court judges and local officials of improperly handling abuse and custody cases. Lawmakers and panelists recorded the allegations and reiterated the committee’s role is policy review, not adjudication.
Three public witnesses told the task force they believed family‑court judges and others had mishandled or covered up alleged abuse in individual cases, and one called for abolition of family court. Task force leaders recorded the allegations and cautioned that legislators cannot determine guilt or innocence at a hearing.
What was said: Martha Huckabee, identifying herself as an advocate and former congressional delegate, said she had served as a court witness and alleged repeated procedural failures in multiple cases. “I would like to abolish family court completely and start over,” she said, and described mothers who she said had lost custody despite what she called “plenty of evidence.”
John Swisher, who said he is a weekly talk‑show host and a witness in one of the contested cases, spoke in support of Huckabee’s account and described his own experience as a witness. Attorney Richard DeCote, who also spoke later as a panel witness, summarized reforms he supports and urged the task force to tighten evidentiary practice in family court.
Task force response and limits: Chair Senator Barrow reminded the audience that the committee’s role is legislative, not judicial, and asked witnesses not to identify children or provide graphic detail. At one point the chair reiterated, “we are not triers of the law, of facts,” and said the panel will collect information, examine policy and return with proposals for legal and administrative change.
Why the record matters: The panel recorded the allegations, but witnesses and task force members agreed those claims are allegations — not findings. Several panelists urged the task force to focus on systemic fixes (training, evidence rules, funding for neutral evaluations and counsel) that will reduce the risk of individual errors and inconsistent outcomes across parishes.
Next step: The task force will gather additional documentation and invite relevant agencies (DCFS, local clerks, appellate administrators) and the judiciary to respond in future hearings so staff can prepare balanced policy options and, if needed, refer specific claims to appropriate investigatory bodies.
