Leon Roche

When New Orleans’ Criminal District Court opened on Tulane and Broad in 1931, Civil Rights icon A.P Tureaud was the only Black lawyer in town. 40 years later, Israel Augustine, Jr. left his work with Dr. King to become Louisiana’s first Black elected judge, and today that building bears his name. There are far too few judicial candidates whose legal career is rooted in public defense, like these icons of Civil Rights, but on March 25, we have an opportunity to broaden the bench yet again.

Attorney Leon Roché is a lifelong resident of New Orleans and has been a public defender his whole career. Everyone he works with recognizes his intelligence, integrity, and work ethic. We are confident in Roché's ability to recognize violations of civil rights, guarantee juries are properly drawn, and ensure all people receive proper notice about the impacts of a criminal conviction.