Opinion Number

Dear Judge Gottschalk-Watkins:

This office is in receipt of your opinion request in which you ask if the salary of a justice of the peace and constable may be cut after they have been elected or after they qualify.

Two separate Louisiana constitutional provisions clearly prohibit the reduction of the compensation of a justice of the peace during the term for which he is elected. The second of these provisions is applicable to a constable. These provisions are as follows:

Article 5, § 21 of the Louisiana Constitution provides:

The term of office, retirement benefits, and compensation of a judge,…