IN THE NEWS:


Path to Health and Wellness

04-22-2024


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Public Notice 2023

11-30-2023

Please see Public Notice 2023


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Please see RFP No. 2023-0001

05-18-2023

RFP No. 2023-0001


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Employment Opportunities Available

05-12-2021


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Addendum_No.1-RFP-2020-0001-4

10-26-2020

This is the Addendum to RFP 2020-0001


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40th JDC recognized as Statewide Leaders in Law Enforcement

09-16-2020


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DA Speaker Request Form

06-02-2020


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"Walk a Mile in Their Shoes" Crime Victim's Walk

03-27-2019

St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney's Office is hosting a walk in solidarity for the victims of crime.  The event is called "Walk a Mile in Their Shoes."  and is being held on April 14th, 2019 at the Thomas F. Daley Memorial Park in Laplace, LA.  For more information please contact Jennifer Duhe at (985) 618-1317.


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St. John P.R.O.U.D Launches

09-12-2018

P.R.O.U.D. to connect jobs to locals: District Attorney teams with former Sheriff to launch effort this month

LAPLACE — District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut considers crime prevention reactive instead of proactive when convicted individuals have greater access to economic resources than at-risk youth.

She’s noticed more young adults falling into crime in St. John the Baptist Parish and surrounding areas, a trend influenced by roadblocks to meaningful employment.

In the interest of public safety, Dinvaut is partnering with former St. John Sheriff Wayne L. Jones to establish St. John P.R.O.U.D., a crime preventive initiative aiding the transition from high school to the local workforce.

Short for Providing Resources and Opportunities for Upflow and Development, P.R.O.U.D. begins with 20-hours of classroom sessions and ends in lucrative employment.

“We’re going to use the resources within the District Attorney’s Office to identify individuals we can reinvest in,” Dinvaut said.

Those contributing to St. John P.R.O.U.D. include, back row, from left, Darryl Isom, Anna Loup Walls, Robin Bailey, Steve Cupid, front row, St. John the Baptist Parish Schools Superintendent Kevin George, District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut and former sheriff Wayne L. Jones.

“In that 17 to 25 age group, crime has become the economic opportunity for them when they are not in school or working. They might want to be in school but don’t have the financial resources. If we help them become successful and productive, it will divert them from becoming involved in crime.”

The program is cost-free and based on a referral system, Dinvaut said, adding she hopes to kick off the first of a series of quarterly classes at the end of this month.

Approximately 10 participants will be chosen for the first round of classes, according to Jones.

In more than 30 years working in law enforcement, Jones hasn’t seen a cost-free program that provides the same services as St. John P.R.O.U.D.

Wayne L. Jones, District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut and Superintendent Kevin George are “all in” for St. John P.R.O.U.D., a crime preventive workforce initiative for young pople ages 17 to 25.

“We have 22 or 23 participating partners in industry who are giving these young people the opportunity to work in the plants and make $14 to $18 an hour,” Jones said. “They’ll be laborers and helpers working for subcontractors, and we hope they have the mindset to market themselves, get the experience and climb up the ladder.”

Community partnerships offer employment through clerical, commercial, electrical, industrial, landscaping, scaffolding and welding opportunities, according to executive administrative assistant Robin Bailey.

Jones said the P.R.O.U.D. program is a viable option for those who want to jump straight into the workplace after high school or build a savings to pursue higher education.

Before participants are placed in the workplace, they agree to a background check, learn safety skills and undergo a 20-hour “soft skills for employment” course at the District Attorney’s Office. Engaging discussion topics include personal enhancement, caring for others, responsibility, diversity, goals, government, ethics and job placement dress code.

Wayne Jones, former St. John Sheriff and owner of Wayne L. Jones Professional Consulting Services, L.L.C. will teach the bulk of a 20-hour soft skills course as part of the St. John P.R.O.U.D. program.

St. John Parish Public Schools Superintendent Kevin George said he’s committed to promoting St. John P.R.O.U.D. to high school students.

“We need something concrete for these kids to do after they graduate high school,” George said.

“We’ve worked hard to get kids more involved with our career and technical education programs. Sometimes it’s important to go back to the basics and teach them about how to dress for work and how to set goals.”

Dinvaut said office staffers are working closely with school counselors to seek referrals.

P.R.O.U.D. participants must be between 17 and 25, reside in St. John Parish, unemployed or underemployed, TWIC eligible and have a high school diploma or equivalency.

College graduates unable to find employment are welcome to participate, Dinvaut said.

She said the program is not for individuals currently in the criminal justice system or with other offenses that would prevent them from working in a plant.

Referral forms can be picked up at the District Attorney’s Office, 1342 River Road in Reserve.

For more information, call 985-652-9757.


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Expungement Sessions 2018

06-18-2018


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Texas Brotherhood Ride

05-27-2018

St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office Celebrates Fallen Hero

Laplace, Louisiana – Sunday, May 27, 2018 – District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut and members of her staff joined the men and women of the Texas Brotherhood Ride to honor St. John Fire Chief Spencer Chauvin and his family.

The Texas Brotherhood Ride is a non-profit organization established to honor law enforcement and fire personnel who have given their lives in the line of duty. The riders bicycle hundreds of miles annually to honor heroes from our communities and raise money for the families of fallen heroes. Over the next week, the riders will bicycle over six hundred miles from Westwego to San Antonio, Texas honoring eleven fallen first responders from Texas and Louisiana. This year, Chauvin was selected as an honoree. The Laplace stop was the second stop for the riders on their trip and was held at the St. John the Baptist Parish Fire Station now bearing Chauvin’s name.

Along with Chauvin, honorees from Louisiana include Westwego Police Officer Mike Louviere, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Shawn Anderson, Fenton Police Officer Shannon Brown.

A somber and heartfelt ceremony was held to celebrate the life and service of Spencer Chauvin with many from the Chauvin family in attendance. The riders stood by with members of St. John Fire and the St. John District Attorney’s Office as presentations were made and as a memorial wreath was given to the Chauvin family.

The District Attorney’s Office was contacted by members of the organization requesting help to support the riders on their way and to help them pay homage to the Chauvin Family. Dinvaut and her team cooked lunch for the riders and event attendees. With riders representing fire and law enforcement agencies from around the country, Dinvaut’s pastalaya impressed the group with a taste of local flavor. Roughly a dozen members of the District Attorney’s Office fed the group before they set off for Baton Rouge and the day’s third memorial ceremony.

The District Attorney’s Office remains diligent in supporting and protecting the victims of crime. Dinvaut stated she was proud that her office could be a part of honoring our local hero and supporting the Chauvin family.

St. John the Baptist Fire Chief Spencer Chauvin was struck and killed August 28, 2017, by an unlicensed driver, while working a crash scene on Interstate 10. District Attorney Dinvaut’s office recently prosecuted Denis Amaya-Rodriguez in the criminal matter relating to the death of Chief Chauvin and two others. Amaya-Rodriguez was convicted by a St. John the Baptist Parish jury and he has been sentenced to serve fifteen (15) years with the Department of Corrections for his actions.


Contact:
Bridget A. Dinvaut, District Attorney
bdinvaut@stjohnda.com
Ph: 985-652-9757


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"Walk A Mile in Their Shoes" Victims Walk

04-18-2018

 
                                           Bridget A. Dinvaut, left, and Lisa Tregre
                     help lead the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office’s
 

             "Walk A Mile in Their Shoes" Victims' Walk

           D.A.’s office wants community to stay involved

 

By Brooke Robichaux

Email the author

Published 12:14 am Wednesday, April 18, 2018

LAPLACE — A crowd of more than 30 people trekked a mile through the wind and drizzling rain Saturday

morning to show solidarity for victims of violent crimes who brave the storm every day amid a complicated

criminal justice system.

Hosted by the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office, the inaugural Crime Victim’s

Awareness Walk was held in LaPlace and attracted participants from as far away as Moss Point, Miss.

 

District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut was thrilled with the turnout, and she said the love and support shown

within the local community proves crime victims are never alone in their fight.

“We have not tapped into the best resource we have in St. John the Baptist Parish, and that’s the people of St. John,” Dinvaut said. “When we come together as a community, we can do anything. I appreciate and applaud the people who had the courage to still come out in the weather.”

The inclement weather symbolized the challenges victims must face every day, from lengthy trials to dissecting complex legal terminology, according to Dinvaut.

Edie Triche, mother of fallen St. John the Baptist Parish officer Jeremy Triche, was one of many who walked in solidarity on Saturday.

She said it is important to her to attend and give back to a community that has been there for her family.

“We had a lot of people that supported us, including the district attorney,” Triche said.

“She’s there for us, and we’re still going through trials. It’s important for all community members to get together.

“The support of the community is the only way we can get through what we’ve been through.”

During the event, participants were given gift bags containing T-shirts, water bottles, wristbands, hand sanitizers and educational information about serving as a witness in a criminal trial.

Dinvaut said educational information fit in with the 2018 national theme, “Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims.”

Organizer Jennifer Duhe said the District Attorney’s Office would continue hosting awareness walks and other events annually in recognition of National Crime Victim’s Rights Week.


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