The First Assistant District Attorney assumes the responsibilities of the District Attorney in the event that the District Attorney is unable to perform the duties of the office. As a result of this legal requirement, the First Assistant must possess all of the qualifications applicable to the District Attorney. This rule of succession also makes it crucial that the First Assistant have the complete trust and confidence of the District Attorney.
The First Assistant District Attorney is charged with the responsibility of aggressively screening all new cases, making certain that all witness statements have been properly obtained, all potential witnesses identified and all evidence legally gathered, marked and stored. These steps are necessary to determine if there is sufficient evidence to prosecute. This screening process has resulted in an expedited docket and increased prosecutorial success.
Additional duties under the purview of the First Assistant are the handling of Grand Jury matters, supervising of all legal personnel and serving as a liaison to law enforcement agencies.
First Assistant District Attorney Frank Trosclair was appointed to this position upon District Attorney Earl Taylor’s inauguration as St. Landry Parish District Attorney in January 1997.
Appointments to meet with the First Assistant District Attorney should be directed to his assistant, Donna Slate.