LA HB164

Amends R.S. 13:716 to expand and clarify the jurisdiction of the commissioner for the 15th Judicial District Court (Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes) to include criminal, civil, domestic relations, and family law matters.

Grants the commissioner authority in criminal cases to administer oaths, issue search and arrest warrants, fix bail, conduct 72-hour hearings, review probable cause affidavits within 48 hours of warrantless arrests, and act on misdemeanor and felony charges through arraignment—but prohibits accepting guilty pleas or adjudicating felony cases.

Authorizes the commissioner in civil matters to perform marriage ceremonies, qualify jurors for petit jury duty, issue temporary protective orders and restraining orders in domestic violence cases, and make recommendations to district judges for preliminary or permanent injunctions.

Requires party consent for the commissioner to fully adjudicate civil, domestic relations, and family law matters; without consent, the commissioner conducts hearings and submits proposed findings to the district judge, who makes a de novo determination within 10 days of any objection.

Grants the commissioner the same contempt powers as a district judge under both the Code of Civil Procedure (Articles 221-227) and Code of Criminal Procedure (Articles 20-25).