WRONGFULLY CONVICTED LOUISIANA MAN CALVIN DUNCAN TAKES OFFICE AS NEW ORLEANS COURT CLERK AFTER JUDGE BLOCKS STATE'S EFFORT TO ABOLISH POSITION. (PHOTO).

 Wrongfully convicted Louisiana man Calvin Duncan takes office as New Orleans court clerk after judge blocks state's effort to abolish position

 A Louisiana man who spent years in prison after a wrongful conviction has begun serving as New Orleans’ criminal court clerk after a judge temporarily blocked a state effort to eliminate the elected position just as he was set to take office.

Calvin Duncan, who won 68% of the vote for Orleans Parish criminal court clerk, started work Monday after a federal judge issued a temporary order preventing the state from transferring the office’s responsibilities to an appointed official. The move came after state lawmakers, at the urging of Gov. Jeff Landry, passed legislation days before Duncan’s term was set to begin that would abolish the position and consolidate its duties under another clerk’s office.

A federal judge ruled that the change could not take effect immediately, saying the law raised constitutional concerns because it effectively replaced an elected office with an appointed one without allowing the elected winner to assume the role. The order temporarily blocks the restructuring while the case moves forward, and both sides are scheduled to continue legal proceedings.

State officials quickly appealed the ruling, seeking to pause it while higher courts review the dispute. Supporters of the legislation argue that the change streamlines government operations by consolidating court clerk duties across the parish system.

Despite the legal fight, Duncan reported to the courthouse Monday morning and began settling into his new role, saying he was eager to get to work and confident the matter would ultimately be resolved in his favor.

Duncan’s election marked a major personal milestone after a long legal history. His murder conviction was vacated in 2021, and he later became a licensed attorney after teaching himself law while incarcerated. During his campaign, he focused on improving public access to court records and highlighted his personal experience with the justice system.

His supporters argue that the effort to eliminate the office after voters chose him undermines the outcome of the election in a majority-Black Democratic city within a Republican-led state. Local officials backing Duncan say voters’ decision should stand and that changes to the office should not override an already-decided election.

As the legal battle continues, Duncan has said he plans to focus on learning the operations of the court and working with staff while the case plays out in the courts.