2025 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 32
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of
Louisiana upon the passing of Judge Jules D. Edwards III.
WHEREAS, Lafayette City Court Judge Jules D. Edwards III passed away Tuesday,
October 15, 2024, at the age of 66, leaving behind a legacy of service, dedication, and
justice; and
WHEREAS, a native of New Orleans, Judge Edwards dedicated more than three
decades of his life to serving the people of Lafayette, first as a judge of the 15th Judicial
District Court from 1993 to 2020, and most recently as a judge of the Lafayette City Court,
from January 1, 2023, until his passing; and
WHEREAS, Judge Edwards served as Chief Judge of the 15th Judicial District Court
from 2001 to 2003, during which time he was a pioneer in establishing drug courts and
re-entry courts, placing emphasis on rehabilitation and providing second chances for those
within the justice system; and
WHEREAS, prior to judicial service, Judge Edwards was a well-known, successful
attorney who made significant contributions serving in various roles, including as a partner
at Edwards and Edwards Law Offices, indigent defender attorney, assistant district attorney,
and counsel to the Louisiana Senate's Select Committee on Crime and Drugs; and
WHEREAS, Judge Edwards was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame
in 2013 in recognition of his long-standing service and commitment to justice, and he was
the first African-American judge elected to the Lafayette City Court, where he broke barriers
and served as an inspiration to many; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his judicial career, Judge Edwards was a leader within the
legal community, serving as president of the Louisiana District Judges Association from
2014 to 2015, and as chairman of the Louisiana Judiciary Commission from 2015 to 2016,
where he implemented major reforms to judicial oversight and procedure; and
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WHEREAS, Judge Edwards also contributed to public policy through his work with
the Louisiana Sentencing Commission from 2011 to 2018, where he helped to guide uniform
sentencing policies across the state, and proudly served on various councils, including the
Advisory Council on Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education, the Louisiana Drug
Policy Board; and since 2021, he was a member of the DWI-Task Force; and
WHEREAS, Judge Edwards was dedicated to educating his peers, and served as
Louisiana's Judicial Outreach Liaison, where he taught judges how to handle impaired
driving cases and sought to ensure that best practices and fairness were promoted across the
judiciary; and
WHEREAS, Judge Edwards' dedication to service was not limited to the courtroom;
in 1977, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and later served in the
Louisiana National Guard from 1981 until 2007, where he served in the infantry, artillery,
and Judge Advocate General's Corps; and
WHEREAS, he proudly served as the 256th Infantry Brigade's Inspector General and
the State Judge Advocate; and
WHEREAS, his distinguished military career ended on March 15, 2007, when he
retired from the Louisiana National Guard and was honored and recognized as the best Staff
Judge Advocate in the United States at that time; and
WHEREAS, Judge Edwards earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Loyola
University in New Orleans, a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State
University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College,
exemplifying a lifelong commitment to learning and service; and
WHEREAS, throughout his life, Judge Edwards was deeply committed to his family,
including his wife, Orida, his sons, Jules IV and Julien, and his daughter, Juliesa; and his
grandson, Julian Jr., and lived by the motto "Dare to Dream", which inspired all those who
knew him; and
WHEREAS, Judge Edwards' passing represents a profound loss to the Lafayette
community, the legal profession, and the state of Louisiana, but his legacy of service,
fairness, and dedication to helping others will continue to inspire and impact lives for
generations to come.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Judge Jules
D. Edwards III upon the occasion of his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Orida
Broussard Edwards.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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