In Caddo Parish, the people who sit on the bench hold immense power. Judges decide who is heard, who is believed, and in some cases, who may spend the rest of their life behind bars. That power demands integrity, fairness, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

Hugo Holland, now running for judge, has a record that raises serious concerns about whether he meets that standard.

Court findings have shown that Holland withheld evidence in multiple death penalty cases. In one of those cases, critical information was not disclosed to the defense, raising lasting questions about whether justice was fully served. In another, he prosecuted a Black teenager and compared him to a dog in front of a jury, a moment that continues to trouble members of the community and legal advocates alike.

These are not minor technicalities. The right to a fair trial depends on transparency, accountability, and respect for every person who enters a courtroom. When evidence is withheld, that right is undermined. When language dehumanizes a defendant, public trust in the system is shaken.

Caddo Parish has worked hard to move forward and build a justice system that reflects fairness and accountability for all. Electing a judge with a record of ethical controversy risks reversing that progress and deepening divisions at a time when trust in institutions is already fragile.

While the ultimate decision-making power lies with the voters of Caddo Parish, institutions like the Louisiana Judiciary Commission, the Louisiana Supreme Court, and the Louisiana Board of Ethics have a responsibility to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and ensure that those who seek judicial office meet the highest ethical standards. Their oversight exists to protect the public from exactly this kind of risk.

Our courts must be places where justice is pursued with integrity and where every person is treated with dignity. Caddo Parish deserves nothing less.