Louisiana Supreme Court: Elzey Jeffrey Perilloux Permanent Disbarment

• Former Louisiana judge Elzey Jeffrey Perilloux was permanently disbarred by the Louisiana Supreme Court on September 17, 2026.
• The disbarment followed his 2020 convictions for three felony counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery.
• Perilloux, 59, had served as a judge in St. John the Baptist Parish since his election in 2016.
• The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommended permanent disbarment, a decision upheld by a 4-3 majority of the Supreme Court.
• The court cited his "undoubtedly egregious" misconduct and lack of remorse as key factors in its decision for permanent disbarment.

This ruling by the Louisiana Supreme Court underscores the stringent ethical standards expected of legal professionals, particularly those holding judicial office, and the severe consequences for violations involving moral turpitude.

On September 17, 2026, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued a permanent disbarment against Elzey Jeffrey Perilloux, a 59-year-old former judge from St. John the Baptist Parish. This severe disciplinary action followed his 2020 convictions for multiple counts of indecent behavior with teenagers and one count of misdemeanor sexual battery. Perilloux, who was elected to the judicial bench in 2016, faced accusations of misconduct shortly after taking office.

The allegations against Perilloux surfaced in May 2017, involving improper touching of two girls, aged 14 and 15, within his home. Further accusations emerged in December 2017, concerning an interaction with a 17-year-old girl. These incidents ultimately led to his conviction in 2020 on three felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and a single count of misdemeanor sexual battery, convictions that were subsequently upheld on appeal.

The path to permanent disbarment for Judge Elzey Jeffrey Perilloux began with the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, which formally recommended this ultimate sanction in June 2026. The Louisiana Supreme Court, in its opinion upholding the board's recommendation, detailed Perilloux's explanations regarding the incidents. He informed the board that his conviction for fondling the first accuser's breasts involved a "20 seconds" duration and "touching her upper chest during a shoulder rub." For the second accuser, he claimed to have been applying sunscreen to her back and shoulders, and he asserted that the third accuser was 18 years old at the time of the interaction.

Despite these explanations, the state's highest court found Perilloux's misconduct to be "undoubtedly egregious," concluding that it demonstrated a profound lack of moral character and fitness required for the practice of law. The court's majority, comprising four justices, also highlighted his apparent lack of remorse, noting that any regret expressed during the proceedings was limited to the impact of the criminal case on himself and his family, rather than showing concern for his victims. Three Louisiana Supreme Court justices, including the chief justice, dissented from the majority's decision, advocating for a regular disbarment instead of a permanent one.

This ruling by the Louisiana Supreme Court underscores the stringent ethical standards expected of legal professionals, particularly those holding judicial office, and the severe consequences for violations involving moral turpitude. The permanent disbarment of Elzey Jeffrey Perilloux serves as a powerful affirmation of the judiciary's commitment to maintaining public trust and the integrity of the legal profession in Louisiana.

Further context surrounding Perilloux's background emerged during a 2024 parole hearing, where it was revealed that the juveniles involved in his convictions were friends of his daughter. Additionally, public records indicate that Perilloux had been arrested for drunk driving prior to his election as a judge, providing a broader historical perspective on his conduct. The court's decision to permanently disbar him, rather than impose a lesser sanction, reflects the gravity of his offenses and the judiciary's zero-tolerance stance on such egregious misconduct.

This case serves as a stark reminder for legal professionals of the severe and permanent consequences of judicial misconduct, particularly when criminal convictions involving moral turpitude are involved. It underscores the Louisiana Supreme Court's rigorous enforcement of ethical standards and the bar's ultimate power to sanction, which can inform advice on professional responsibility and disciplinary proceedings.

Source: Original reporting via ABA Journal