News : Duke gets DWI cases back in Bogalusa : The Daily News, Bogalusa, LA

Duke gets DWI cases back in Bogalusa What happens in Bogalusa will now stay in Bogalusa, at least as far as DWI court cases are concerned, thanks to the efforts of Bogalusa City Prosecutor David Duke, who is also an assistant district attorney for Walter Reed’s office. According to Duke, DWI arrests by the Bogalusa Police Department more than doubled last year, jumping from 56 in 2009 to 116 in 2010. That was due to increased efforts on the part of the BPD, he said. But the majority of DWI arrests in the city are made by state troopers, Duke said. Advertisement “In years past, the Louisiana State Police would patrol in Bogalusa and when a DWI arrest was made, they would complete the necessary paperwork in Bogalusa and run the intoxilyzer, but then take the suspect to Franklinton for booking into the Parish Jail,” he said. While that did make it easier on the state police when it came time to testify, because it kept them from having to appear in multiple courts, it pulled them off the roads at the time of arrest and out of Bogalusa on court dates. Duke said he talked with Reed, Bogalusa City Judge Robert Black and LSP Troop L Commander Capt. Paul Clark about getting the cases heard in Bogalusa. “I was able to get the Troop to allow its officers to start booking suspects into Bogalusa City Jail, thereby bringing the suspects before Bogalusa City Court for the state charges they face,” Duke said. “Also, by booking suspects into Bogalusa City Jail the trooper eliminates a trip to Franklinton so the trooper is able to get back on patrol in a shorter amount of time.” The change of venue will also add to the local court coffers. “As for the revenue on the state charge of DWI, Bogalusa City Court and the parish criminal court fund will benefit by the inclusion of the fines into our court system,” Duke said. “But the court cost would be distributed just like in any other state court.” Duke said he is happy for the additional work. “The troop has always enforced DWI laws inside city limits,” he said. “Now, instead of taking the suspects to Franklinton for booking into jail, they are booked into our city jail and the case is heard in Bogalusa City Court where I prosecute as an assistant district attorney for Walter Reed. “I am excited about having the troop back in City Court, and without the cooperation of Judge Black, Walter Reed and Captain Clark that would not have been possible.” Source, The Daily News: News : Duke gets DWI cases back in Bogalusa : The Daily News, Bogalusa, LA