HLS 20RS-462 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 38
BY REPRESENTATIVE ROMERO AND SENATOR AB RAHAM
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Jefferson Davis Parish assistant district attorney Bennett
Lapoint on his retirement
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To commend Bennett R. Lapoint, assistant district attorney of Jefferson Davis Parish, on his
3 retirement.
4 WHEREAS, Bennett R. Lapoint became the first member of his family to attend
5college when he was accepted into McNeese State University; while at McNeese State
6University, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and graduated with
7magna cum laude honors; after completing his undergraduate studies, he chose to continue
8his education at the Louisiana State University School of Law and graduated with a Juris
9Doctor degree in 1980; and
10 WHEREAS, upon earning his J.D. degree, Mr. Lapoint immediately returned to his
11hometown of Lake Arthur, Louisiana, to practice law; in 1980, he was appointed to serve on
12the Jefferson Davis Indigent Defender Board and ultimately served as chairman of the board
13until January 1, 1991; and
14 WHEREAS, Mr. Lapoint continued his law practice until 1990, and in 1991, he was
15appointed as a full-time assistant district attorney in the Thirty-first Judicial District by
16Michael C. Cassidy, district attorney; Mr. Lapoint served as assistant district attorney until
17January 31, 2020, and during his tenure, he also served as first assistant district attorney; and
18 WHEREAS, Mr. Lapoint's primary focus during his time as assistant district attorney
19was the handling of narcotics cases, and he is recognized throughout the state of Louisiana
20as a leading authority on search and seizure; he helped educate a number of prosecutors and
21law enforcement officers on the laws related to narcotics cases; and
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HCR NO. 38
1 WHEREAS, Mr. Lapoint was also responsible for drug asset forfeiture cases,
2including the largest narcotics seizure in Louisiana history, valued at $3.4 million, which he
3argued all the way to the United States Supreme Court; and
4 WHEREAS, Mr. Lapoint's service went beyond prosecution; he initiated the drug
5intervention program in Jefferson Davis Parish which allows young, first time drug offenders
6to obtain treatment in lieu of jail time for simple possession of narcotics; successful
7completion of the intervention program allowed participants to avoid a felony conviction on
8their records; and
9 WHEREAS, Mr. Lapoint recognized that addiction is an illness that requires
10treatment rather than incarceration and he was very proud of the young men and women
11who, through successful completion of the intervention program, were able regain control
12of their lives; Bennett R. Lapoint has been a truly exemplary servant to the people of
13Louisiana, and his work as assistant district attorney in the Thirty-first Judicial District is
14undoubtedly deserving of recognition.
15 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
16commend Bennett R. Lapoint on the occasion of his retirement as assistant district attorney
17of Jefferson Davis Parish; does hereby express most sincere appreciation for his efforts to
18help reform communities afflicted by drug abuse; and does hereby extend hopes and wishes
19for his continued good health and prosperity as he begins a new journey in retirement.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
21Bennett R. Lapoint.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 38 Original 2020 Regular Session Romero
Commends Bennett R. Lapoint, assistant district attorney in Jefferson Davis Parish, on his
retirement.
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