Candidate announcers: Nick LaRocca, 16th Judicial District Judge

Judicial candidate NickLaRocca submitted this announcement:
Having received overwhelming encouragement from citizens throughout the 16th Judicial District, I am announcing my candidacy for district judge.
During this campaign, I have listened to the citizens and agree that we have a growing problem with crime in our communities, domestic violence, and a growing disrespect for teachers, law enforcement andother authorities.
We are all tired of the revolving door in our jails, disruptions in classrooms and violence in homes and against law enforcement. These can no longer be tolerated.
In my 40 years of courtroom practice, I have come to understand that we all make mistakes and that there are two sides to every dispute.
The law should be applied fairly to all persons before the court – with common sense, understanding and compassion. It’s time to be more proactive, to build alliances, to reach out to school children to inform and direct them and to promote confidence in our judicial system.
As a student of our constitution, (I’ve been recognized on three occasions for excellence in the study of constitutional law), I believe our constitution should be interpreted as it is written and not expanded to satisfy liberal agendas.
I believe all life has dignity from conception to natural death; that taking God out of schools is unwarranted and that the Second amendment right to bear arms should be respected.
I worked my way through LSU Law School, graduating with honors (ranked seventh in my class of 303). I’ve been rated a preeminent lawyer by my peers.
My strong Christian faith is integrated with my life, professionally and personally.
I understand the struggles and hardships experienced by this district’s citizens.
District Judge is an important office and I will discharge the duties of this office with the passion that has been the hallmark of my legal career.
Editor’s note: Our original deadline for these candidate announcements was the opening of qualifying. Because the response was underhelming, we’ve decided to extend the deadline to Sept. 30.
Announcers may be emailed to bdecker@daily-review.com. The length limit is 300 words.