Clayton Law Firm

07/10/2026

GRABBED for Jury Duty? 🫵👩‍⚖️

While many of us have received a jury summons by mail, have you ever been summoned for jury duty by a police officer while you were walking down the street? Making the local news this week, a judge in Covington had sheriff's deputies bring multiple individuals walking near the courthouse to an ongoing criminal trial to report for jury duty. While the practice is uncommon, it is a practice long recognized by the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure.

Under Article 785(D), "In parishes other than Orleans, the judge may order the summoning of tales jurors from among the bystanders or persons in or about the courthouse." This law allows a judge, in his or her discretion, to have the sheriff summon individuals in or near the courthouse. Under what circumstances might a judge take such a step?

News reports indicate that the recent use of the statute was in a high-profile criminal r**e case. That is the kind of proceeding in which one would expect a judge to use the "tales" jury procedure. Under the 6th Amendment to the Constitution, criminal defendants have the right to a trial by jury, and they also have the right to a speedy trial. When an insufficient number of jurors report for jury duty on the day set for trial, to disband the proceeding and send everyone home threatens the defendant's constitutional rights, also subjecting the public to increased costs and the possibility that a guilty perpetrator could be set free.

Why might an insufficient number of jurors have been available at the proceeding that made the news this week? If you ask any of our judges on the Northshore, they will tell you that the number of our citizens who report for jury duty is woefully low. Jury duty is an important civic obligation. It was so important to the American founders who risked their lives to fight the British empire that they wrote, in the Declaration of Independence, that one reason for breaking from Britain was "For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury." This historical value placed on the right to trial by jury is notable.

History is knocking on our door--or our mailbox. It turns out if we don't answer that jury summons, it may grab us while we're grabbing a coffee in downtown Covington. ⚖️

06/26/2026

From Constitution 📜 to World Cup ⚽️

From sea to shining sea, this summer, soccer (“football” to most of the world) is the game filling stadiums across the country. Whether or not soccer is your thing, there’s something heartwarming about seeing the reactions of folks from across the globe enjoying American food for the first time, wearing cowboy hats, and marveling over everything from our stadiums to our indoor air conditioning. So what do the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the U.S. Constitution have in common? It turns out, more than you might think. The Constitution gave us the United States, and our friends from other nations are finding out that our Union is quite the place to pass a good time.

It took some doing to get ourselves these United States. The Federalist Papers were written in 1787-88 by several of our founding fathers to convince the states to get rid of the Articles of Confederation and adopt a new Constitution in their place. The Constitution would be a reimagining. Upon adoption of the Constitution, each state would retain its separate identity but simultaneously would agree to a strengthened national government having new powers to regulate interstate commerce, to tax, to maintain a federal navy, and so forth. Part of the Papers’ challenge was to rebuke some rhetoric claiming that a national union was not a good look—that instead, states should be grouped into three or four smaller unions or confederacies.

In advocating for what would become known as the “more perfect union” of states, Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 11, argued that a unified nation would protect against other nations “playing” individual states against each other. He believed that a national union would allow each state to protect its ability to participate as a serious influencer on the stage of international trade and commerce: “Let the thirteen States, bound together in a strict and indissoluble union, concur in erecting one great American system, superior to the control of all trans-atlantic force or influence, and able to dictate the terms of the connection between the old and the new world!” In other words, while each state would retain sovereignty to enact its own rules for commerce within that state, a federal system with an ability to create certain laws, regulations, and standards governing interstate and foreign commerce would provide the states with superior bargaining power on the world stage.

That bargaining power has been realized in this year’s world cup. The United States (along with partners Canada and Mexico) landed the successful 2026 world cup bid because we did so as a nation. When we look at the energetic crowds of international soccer fans filling U.S. stadiums from Los Angeles, to Houston, to Atlanta, day after day, week after week, it becomes clear that our unified nation has much more to offer the world than any one isolated state by itself could offer. The opportunities of a host nation of our aggregate size and scope clearly spoke volumes to the world’s premier soccer association. If Hamilton could see the headers, hot dogs, and “hoorays” filling our American stadiums this summer—which will extend through our nation’s 250th birthday next week—perhaps he’d smile with satisfaction at the fulfillment of his prophetic aspiration that America “with wisdom might make herself the admiration and envy of the world.” ⚖️

05/18/2026

The State of Mississippi Judiciary featured Josh in a recent article referencing the extension of Josh's practice to Mississippi:

The Official Site of the State of Mississippi Judiciary

05/15/2026

📱Want to increase your legal acumen? Or read short analyses of legal issues affecting you? Visit our firm's blog today! ⚖️
https://claytonlawfirmllc.com/blog

05/09/2026

Having passed the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions' bar exam (on the first try--thank you, Jesus), Josh is now licensed to practice law in all state and federal courts in Mississippi! Ben and Josh have a rich heritage of family (including attorneys) hailing from the Magnolia State. The firm is delighted to serve the residents of this great state. We are currently accepting new clients. Call us, Mississippi! 🌸⚖️

04/21/2026

👉Election Watch: Increase Judges' Retirement Age to 75?

At the upcoming May 16 election, among various other candidate races, all registered Louisiana voters will be able to vote on whether to amend the Louisiana Constitution to increase the mandatory state judicial retirement age from its current limit of 70 years of age to 75 years of age. Under current law, a judge who reaches 70 years of age during his or her term may finish out the term, but a judge may not seek election (or reelection) after reaching 70 years of age. The proposed new law would increase that age to 75.

For more information and voter resources, check out the Louisiana Secretary of State's website at www.geauxvote.com ⚖️

04/14/2026

😮📃SERVED WITH A LAWSUIT?
Watch this 1-minute video to learn 5 things you can do immediately to protect your rights.
You're not alone. You'll get through this. ⚖️

04/10/2026

Personal Injury Cases 🩻

If you've been hurt due to the fault of another person or company, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries. You do not have to fight the insurance companies alone. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you.

The goal of an insurance company is to give the victim as little as possible for the claim. The goal of a personal injury lawyer representing the victim is to maximize the lawful recovery for the injuries.

At Clayton Law Firm, we don't advise settling until a complete assessment is made and a fair settlement proposal has been reached. Such a result often involves determined advocacy in the claim process and litigation.

If you need representation for injuries incurred in an accident due to the fault of another, contact us to schedule a consultation. ⚖️

04/03/2026

✝️💝Blessings from Clayton Law Firm to you and your family on this GOOD Friday!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

03/30/2026

Clayton Law Firm is here for you, Washington Parish! ⚖️

Thank you to Clayton Law Firm and Moore & Jenkins Insurance Agency for renewing their Chamber membership. Whether it is legal guidance or insurance coverage, these trusted professionals help families and businesses navigate life with confidence.
When it comes to protecting what matters most, it is good to have experienced hands right here at home. We appreciate their continued investment in Washington Parish.
⚖️📋