Close Menu
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Celebrity Kids
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo
GistFestGistFest
  • Entertainment

    The Aesthetic Economy: How Fashion, Filters & Vibes Are Now Bigger Than Talent

    August 5, 2025

    Hollywood’s ‘Summer of Scandals’: PR Nightmares, Leaks & the Rise of the Apology Tour

    August 4, 2025

    “Wakanda Meets Wall Street”: Black Panther Spinoff Series Set in a Futuristic Financial World

    July 31, 2025

    From Albums to Algorithms: Why Every Artist Is Fighting for a TikTok Moment in 2025

    July 30, 2025

    Nostalgia Never Dies: “Twilight” TV Series in the Works — But Do We Need It?

    July 29, 2025
  • Lifestyle

    The Aesthetic Economy: How Fashion, Filters & Vibes Are Now Bigger Than Talent

    August 5, 2025

    Hollywood’s ‘Summer of Scandals’: PR Nightmares, Leaks & the Rise of the Apology Tour

    August 4, 2025

    “Wakanda Meets Wall Street”: Black Panther Spinoff Series Set in a Futuristic Financial World

    July 31, 2025

    From Albums to Algorithms: Why Every Artist Is Fighting for a TikTok Moment in 2025

    July 30, 2025

    Nostalgia Never Dies: “Twilight” TV Series in the Works — But Do We Need It?

    July 29, 2025
  • Relationships

    The Aesthetic Economy: How Fashion, Filters & Vibes Are Now Bigger Than Talent

    August 5, 2025

    Hollywood’s ‘Summer of Scandals’: PR Nightmares, Leaks & the Rise of the Apology Tour

    August 4, 2025

    “Wakanda Meets Wall Street”: Black Panther Spinoff Series Set in a Futuristic Financial World

    July 31, 2025

    From Albums to Algorithms: Why Every Artist Is Fighting for a TikTok Moment in 2025

    July 30, 2025

    Nostalgia Never Dies: “Twilight” TV Series in the Works — But Do We Need It?

    July 29, 2025
  • Tips & Tricks

    The Aesthetic Economy: How Fashion, Filters & Vibes Are Now Bigger Than Talent

    August 5, 2025

    Hollywood’s ‘Summer of Scandals’: PR Nightmares, Leaks & the Rise of the Apology Tour

    August 4, 2025

    “Wakanda Meets Wall Street”: Black Panther Spinoff Series Set in a Futuristic Financial World

    July 31, 2025

    From Albums to Algorithms: Why Every Artist Is Fighting for a TikTok Moment in 2025

    July 30, 2025

    Nostalgia Never Dies: “Twilight” TV Series in the Works — But Do We Need It?

    July 29, 2025
  • Celebrity Kids

    Brody Jenner Ties the Knot With Tia Blanco in Dreamy Malibu Ceremony — See the Intimate Moments

    July 17, 2025

    Madison LeCroy Welcomes Baby No. 2 — the Heartwarming Story Behind the Name

    July 9, 2025

    Ariana Zolciak Supports Kim Zolciak and Siblings Amid Ongoing Money Issues

    July 7, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
Subscribe
GistFestGistFest
Home » Small Louisiana Town Whose Mayor is the Judge, Rakes in a Curiously Large Amount of Money From Traffic Fines 
News

Small Louisiana Town Whose Mayor is the Judge, Rakes in a Curiously Large Amount of Money From Traffic Fines 

DunniBy DunniNovember 27, 20235 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
A Collage of a Courthouse, a Traffic Stop, Bundles of Dollar Bills, and the Fenton City Hall Sign Post
Source: Quora
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

If you love camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking, Fenton, Louisiana, is one of the top places to visit. But the town of about 300 residents is famous for other things. 

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • A Bountiful Harvest of Revenue 
  • It’s called the “Mayor’s Court”
  • How Does the Court Operate? 
  • Mayor’s Courts and the Integrity Challenge
  • Fenton is Making Too Much Money From Traffic Fines 
  • Something is Fishy in Fenton’s Fines and Forfeitures 
  • Taxation By Citation 
  • Fenton Town’s Attorney Disagrees 
  • Court Records Disagree With Holmes’ Claims 
  • Town Officials Gave Conflicting Testimonies of the Mayor’s Courtroom Conduct 
  • The Supreme Court Had Ruled Against the Validity of Fenton’s Mayor’s Court 
A Collage of a Courthouse, a Traffic Stop, Bundles of Dollar Bills, and the Fenton City Hall Sign Post
Source: Quora\ Fox29LC/X

The town rakes in millions of dollars from traffic fines, five times more than other towns of the same size. People believe that the Mayor, who doubles as its judge, has a hand in it. 

A Bountiful Harvest of Revenue 

A yearly revenue of $1.3 million from Long Lake, Michigan, with a population of 10,000 people, wouldn’t sound too unusual. But it will be for Fenton, with just 300 residents and a landmass that covers just 20 blocks. 

Bundles of Dollar Bills
Source: Quora

News is making the rounds that Fenton gets its bountiful harvest unusually and illegally through a questionable but money-spinning justice system for traffic offenses. 

It’s called the “Mayor’s Court”

Fenton operates what is known as the “mayor’s court.” In a sense, the Mayor owns the court because he serves as both judge and jury. He can also appoint a magistrate to preside over the court. This kind of court is only found in Louisiana and Ohio. 

Fenton City Hall Sign Post
Source: Fox29LC/X

Fenton’s Mayor’s court is dedicated to addressing traffic offenses by looking into traffic tickets written by a few police officers. 

ALSO READ: Federal Court Indicts Homesellers, Realtors, and NAR for Inflating Home Sales Commission 

How Does the Court Operate? 

The Mayor appoints a prosecutor for the town to ensure that all traffic violations that breach its codified ordinances are appropriately punished. Furthermore, the court is open to drivers who want to contest their traffic tickets. 

A Courthouse
Source: Quora

The Mayor’s court is a centuries-old judicial practice retained even after Louisiana’s constitution was revised in the 1970s. Now, they operate informally to handle minor offenses. 

Mayor’s Courts and the Integrity Challenge

Like municipal courts, Mayor’s courts must ensure defendants receive fair hearings and treatment. One way to achieve this is by ensuring the moral competence of the judge. 

City Hall, City of Fenton Wall
Source: LIGHTING_CMNTY/X

But when the Mayor, who is tasked with generating revenue for the town, is the judge, it’s difficult to trust the integrity of his judgments. It is also difficult not to link him to the enormous revenue the town has realized. 

ALSO READ: Car Rental Company Hertz Wrongly Accused a Marine Veteran and Got Him Jailed

Fenton is Making Too Much Money From Traffic Fines 

Speaking on the legality of the Mayor’s court system, Eric Foley, a civil rights attorney, was clear on where the law stands. “They sort of operate in the shadow of the law,” he said.

An Aerial View of Fenton, Louisiana
Source: EcoTopicalNews/X

Fenton’s revenue for the year ending June 2022 was around five times that of the average Louisiana municipality of the same size. Concerned individuals and bodies have pointed fingers at the Mayor. 

Something is Fishy in Fenton’s Fines and Forfeitures 

Another curious discovery in Fenton’s revenue generation is its massive receipts from “fines and forfeitures”-the category that traffic fines fall under. On average, only 1.7% of a United States municipality’s revenue is derived from fines and forfeitures. 

A Snapshot of Road Traffic From a Car
Source: lambas70/X

But Fenton’s fines and forfeitures percentage is miles away at 92.5%. According to an expert survey, this is the highest percentage of any Louisiana municipality. 

POLL – Should Donald J. Trump Be Allowed to Run for Office?

Taxation By Citation 

Critics of Fenton’s revenue generation scheme describe it as “taxation by citation.” They believe that the Mayor’s court obscures the role of police departments. 

Louisiana State Law Enforcement Vehicle
Source: NOLANews/X

According to Joanna Weiss of the Fines and Fees Justice Center, which advocates equitable fines and the removal of fees in the justice system, “It’s almost impossible to generate that much of your revenue without doing pretty abusive things.” 

Fenton Town’s Attorney Disagrees 

Fenton Town’s attorney, Mike Holmes, has justified the town’s huge fine and forfeiture revenue percentage. Like other towns, he explained that Fenton doesn’t get much from sales and property taxes. 

A Traffic Stop
Source: Quora

“While revenues fluctuate from year to year, Village of Fenton Police Department has long had an active traffic enforcement policy,” he clarified. But many interested parties aren’t buying his argument. 

ALSO READ: New Orleans Mayor Gets Backlash For Spending Almost $30,000 on Flights

Court Records Disagree With Holmes’ Claims 

A team of journalists have reached out for the town’s court records. The records paint a different picture from Mike Holmes’ claim that the Mayor runs the court proceedings in a “neutral, impartial manner.” 

A Gavel on Court Documents
Source: ChristMedicus/X

The records show notes from cops and town employees advocating stiffer penalties for drivers with a “bad attitude.” Others implied that the police chief and some other personalities influenced decisions to dismiss charges. 

Town Officials Gave Conflicting Testimonies of the Mayor’s Courtroom Conduct 

Aside from the alarming revelations from the court records, interviews with town officials fanned the flames of doubt. According to the team of journalists, the accounts from officials about the Mayor’s handling of the court, and the outrageously high number of driver’s license suspensions, their responses were contradictory. 

An Empty Court Room
Source: Quora

Many concerned people, including practicing lawyers, have called on the town to stop its Mayor from presiding over the court. 

The Supreme Court Had Ruled Against the Validity of Fenton’s Mayor’s Court 

Supreme court rulings say that a mayor can’t be impartial if he manages the town’s finances and also rules over the court. However, another verdict stated that the Mayor can not be unbiased if over 10% of the town’s revenue came from the Mayor’s court decisions. 

The United States Supreme Court
Source: Quora

The flagrant disregard for the Supreme Court ruling and public perceptions of bias indicates that the county has much to gain from the Mayor’s court system. 

You Might Also Like:

  • The Aesthetic Economy: How Fashion, Filters & Vibes Are Now Bigger Than Talent
  • Hollywood’s ‘Summer of Scandals’: PR Nightmares, Leaks & the Rise of the Apology Tour
  • “Wakanda Meets Wall Street”: Black Panther Spinoff Series Set in a Futuristic Financial World
  • From Albums to Algorithms: Why Every Artist Is Fighting for a TikTok Moment in 2025
  • Nostalgia Never Dies: “Twilight” TV Series in the Works — But Do We Need It?

Court Mayor Traffic fines
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleFederal Court Indicts Homesellers, Realtors, and NAR for Inflating Home Sales Commission 
Next Article A Lady Tries Out 3 Different Burger Kings in New York City and Discovers Why the Fast Food Chain is Shutting Down Many of Its Restaurants 

Related Posts

Entertainment

Pride & Prejudice Returns to Theaters in India for 20th Anniversary—Don’t Miss the Iconic Love Story

July 23, 2025
Lifestyle

Inside the Breaking Point That Ended Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna’s Friendship, Says New Biography

July 21, 2025
News

Kelly Osbourne Engaged to Sid Wilson During Ozzy’s Black Sabbath Farewell

July 10, 2025
Latest Posts

The Aesthetic Economy: How Fashion, Filters & Vibes Are Now Bigger Than Talent

August 5, 2025

Hollywood’s ‘Summer of Scandals’: PR Nightmares, Leaks & the Rise of the Apology Tour

August 4, 2025

“Wakanda Meets Wall Street”: Black Panther Spinoff Series Set in a Futuristic Financial World

July 31, 2025

From Albums to Algorithms: Why Every Artist Is Fighting for a TikTok Moment in 2025

July 30, 2025

Nostalgia Never Dies: “Twilight” TV Series in the Works — But Do We Need It?

July 29, 2025

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Era: How She’s Redefining Country Music One Boot at a Time

July 28, 2025

Top 5 Entertainment Moments: Akshay, SRK & Amitabh in the Spotlight

July 25, 2025

Slasher Nostalgia: I Know What You Did Last Summer Legacy Sequel

July 24, 2025
About
About

We’re a news, entertainment and lifestyle hub that is dedicated to giving you quality insight on the latest lifestyle news, movie and TV news, celebrity news and lots more.

Contact us: info@gistfest.com

MOST POPULAR

Alina Nikitina: Everything We Know About the Russian Model

October 4, 2023

Jacob’s Ladder Piercing: All You Need To Know

July 21, 2023

Jennifer Rauchet: Inside the Life of Pete Hegseth’s Wife

August 30, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox!

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
© 2025 GistFest. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.