Races for justice of the peace in Louisiana are usually low-key affairs with lesser-known lawyers vying for an office that handles small property claims and approves eviction orders.
But this year, one such race in East Baton Rouge Parish has attracted Metro Council member Jen Racca, retired state appeals court Judge Toni Higginbotham and three other candidates — Robert Ainsworth, Christoph Bajewski and Dajuana LeDuff W. Moore.
The six justice of the peace courts in the parish handle small property claims under $5,000 as well as eviction matters. While justices of the peace receive a small public salary, most of each office’s pay and operational funding comes from fees for services rendered by the court…