Running for Office: BR City Court Judge

Baton Rouge City Court

Baton Rouge City Court Judge Suzan Ponder is seeking re-election to the court on Nov. 6.

“As a Baton Rouge City Court judge for over 19 years, I have handled my cases in a fair and efficient manner and have been a good steward of our tax dollars,” Ponder, a Republican, said in a written statement of candidacy.

“I have encouraged offenders to return to school and complete their education, ordered that they perform community service hours, sentenced them to make restitution to victims of crime, and/or imposed jail sentences. Through Baton Rouge City Court’s Sobriety Court, I am addressing DWI repeat offenders in an effort to make our roadways safer,” she added.

Ponder’s legal experience and record of public service span nearly 30 years. After graduating from Southern University Law Center, she served as an East Baton Rouge Parish assistant district attorney. She was elected as a City Court judge in 1993.

Ponder said she has worked diligently to maintain a current docket.

Ponder has been appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to the Louisiana Judicial Leadership Institute, Judiciary Commission Rules Revision Committee and she served as a Louisiana delegate to the National Conference On Assisting Pro Se Litigants. A pro se litigant is a person who represents himself in a court proceeding without the assistance of a lawyer.

Ponder is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Baton Rouge Bar Association and served as president of the Louisiana City Judges Association. She has served on numerous continuing legal education panels, teaching lawyers and her fellow judges.

Ponder also serves as an adjunct professor at Southern’s Law Center.

Ponder has been married for 33 years to Warren Ponder and they are the parents of two children, Stuart and Elizabeth. She has served as a member of the Paula G. Manship YMCA Board of Directors and volunteered for the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools Reading Friend program.

The qualifying period for the fall elections is Aug. 15-17.