The Hon. James J. Best (Ret.) is a former judge for the 18th Judicial District Court of Louisiana. He was elected to the bench in 1993. Best retired in 2017
The 18th Judicial District includes the Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge Parishes.
He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 1987. Over the course of his legal career, Best Handled criminal and family law matters in private practice, was an attorney for the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Defender’s Office, and was the chief assistant district attorney for the 18th Judicial District.