Information

Americans With Disabilities Act

It is the policy of the Fifth Judicial District Court to comply with all relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Title II.  The agencies and occupants of the Franklin, Richland and West Carroll Parish Courthouses commit themselves and their staffs to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities and to provide such individuals with services and employment opportunities in the most integrated setting possible, consistent with the nature of court employment, court services and court activities.

As a manifestation of this commitment, John M. Lancaster, District Attorney, and his staff working with Dennis G. Stewart, Fifth Judicial District Hearing Officer, have agreed to develop and implement appropriate management policies, plans and procedures for bringing the Court into compliance with not only the letter, but the spirit of the laws pertaining to the ADA.

If you believe you have a disability and require some accommodation, please contact the ADA Ombudsman:

• Honorable Penny W. Douciere, District Attorney
  P.O. Box 417
  Rayville, LA 71269
  Phone: (318) 728-3166
  Fax: (318) 728-7008
  Email: pdouciere@fifthda.org
• Honorable J. Dhu Thompson, Hearing Officer
  P.O. Box 90
  Rayville, LA 71269
  Phone: (318) 728-4111
  Fax: (318) 728-7003
  Email: dthompson@5jdc.us

We will treat all information concerning disabilities in a confidential manner.

Accessibility

The Fifth Judicial District Court welcomes our patrons with disabilities and wishes to publish our commitment to making court employment opportunities, programs and services accessible to all persons. Any person wishing to request an accommodation in order to participate in our employment process or court proceedings should utilize the ADA Accommodations Request Form if possible. Such requests should be addressed as follows:

Procedures for Non-Employee Users of Court Facilities, Programs, or Activities

1. Persons in Franklin, Richland and West Carroll Parishes, requiring accommodations should submit a written request or complete the accommodation request form and send it to the ADA Ombudsman, Honorable John M. Lancaster, District Attorney, in writing at
   
   • Honorable Penny W. Douciere, District Attorney
     P.O. Box 417
     Rayville, LA 71269
     Phone: (318) 728-3166
     Fax: (318) 728-7008
     Email: pdouciere@fifthda.org
   • Honorable J. Dhu Thompson, Hearing Officer
     P.O. Box 90
     Rayville, LA 71269
     Phone: (318) 728-4111
     Fax: (318) 728-7003
     Email: dthompson@5jdc.us
2. Requests for accommodations must be made as far in advance as possible but no less than ten (10) working days from the date upon which it is needed.
3. All accommodation requests shall include a description of the accommodation sought, along with a statement about the impairment that requires such accommodation. The Court or its designee may request additional information about the qualifying impairment if it is deemed necessary.
4. When an accommodation request is received, the Ombudsman will confer with the individual requesting the accommodation and the manager of the area where the accommodation is needed to discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodation.
5. The Ombudsman will help coordinate provision of the requested accommodation or, with the approval of the Chief Judge, a suitable and effective alternative may be offered in the event that the original accommodation requested is not feasible.
6. The Ombudsman shall contact the requestor to offer the accommodation. A record of the requestor's response is made. If the requestor rejects the accommodation offered, he/she is notified of the right to file a complaint in the manner outlined below.

Complaints

Individuals with disabilities who believe they have been discriminated against with regard to access to services, programs, or activities at the Fifth Judicial District Court may file a complaint with the Fifth Judicial District Hearing Office, Dennis G. Stewart at:

• Honorable J. Dhu Thompson, Hearing Officer
  P.O. Box 90
  Rayville, LA 71269
  Phone: (318) 728-4111
  Fax: (318) 728-7003
  Email: dthompson@5jdc.us

Upon receipt of a complaint, the Hearing Officer shall review the complaint, notify the Chief Judge and propose a resolution. The approved resolution shall then be communicated with the complainant.

List of Contacts

Requests for accommodation should be directed to the following individuals through the sources listed below.

Franklin, Richland and West Carroll Parish Court Facilities, Programs, Activities or Parish Employment

• Honorable Penny W. Douciere, District Attorney
  P.O. Box 417
  Rayville, LA 71269
  Phone: (318) 728-3166
  Fax: (318) 728-7008
  Email: pdouciere@fifthda.org

Judge's Office Employment or ADA Accommodation Complaints

• Honorable J. Dhu Thompson, Hearing Officer
  P.O. Box 90
  Rayville, LA 71269
  Phone: (318) 728-4111
  Fax: (318) 728-7003
  Email: dthompson@5jdc.us