Election Day is November 3, 2026
Jonathan T. Gaspard
Jonathan T. Gaspard is a lifelong resident of Avoyelles Parish, born and raised in the community between Marksville and Hessmer known as the Cote Des Gremillion. The son of two schoolteachers, Terrel and Margaret Gaspard, he learned early the values of service, responsibility, and dedication, all of which have guided his career in the law.
A 1994 graduate of Marksville High School, Jonathan then earned his degree in Political Science from LSU and his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center. He passed the Louisiana Bar Examination on his first attempt in 2001 and began his legal career as a law clerk in the 12th Judicial District Court before entering into private practice.
For the past 12 years, Jonathan has proudly served as an Assistant District Attorney in Avoyelles Parish, prosecuting more than 1,400 felony cases. As Chief Felony Prosecutor in Division A, he has tried multiple jury trials, secured a life sentence in a double homicide case, and used the Habitual Offender Statute to hold repeat offenders accountable. All of his convictions have been upheld by appellate courts.
Jonathan served as the attorney for the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury for close to a decade, and currently serves as city attorney for the City of Marksville and the Avoyelles Water Commission. Jonathan has served as the attorney for the Marksville Airport Authority and as Magistrate for the Village of Hessmer.
Jonathan has a clear understanding of the criminal justice system because of his decades of experience: some deserve a second chance perhaps rehabilitation or probation, while those who threaten public safety must face firm consequences. He is committed to aggressively prosecuting violent crimes, drug dealers, and repeat offenders who endanger the citizens of Avoyelles Parish.
Jonathan is active in the community as a member of the Marksville Chamber of Commerce, the Bunkie Rotary Club, and St. Joseph Catholic Church. He and his wife, Jessica, are proudly raising their two young children, Eden and Major, in Avoyelles Parish.
With over two decades of experience, Jonathan T. Gaspard is ready to provide firm, fair, and effective leadership as your District Attorney.
Jonathan’s Vision for the Office
As District Attorney, Jonathan’s goal will be simple: protect our community, enforce the law, and run an efficient, fair, and fiscally responsible office the people of this parish can trust. He will do this by:
BEING TOUGH ON CRIME AND FOCUSED ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
Public safety will be Jonathan’s top priority as District Attorney. Violent crime, drug trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and crimes against children will be prosecuted aggressively to the fullest extent of the law every time. Repeat offenders will be held accountable through the use of habitual offender laws and enhanced sentencing when appropriate. There will be no “revolving-door” justice for career criminals who threaten our community.
Jonathan will continue to stand firmly with law enforcement, working closely with deputies and officers to build strong cases and support them as they serve and protect Avoyelles Parish. And most importantly, victims will come first. As District Attorney, Jonathan will keep victims informed, seek restitution, and ensure their voices are heard throughout the process.
IMPLEMENTING RAPID CASE EVALUATION AND DISPOSITION.
As District Attorney, Jonathan will implement a Rapid Case Evaluation and Disposition initiative to ensure that justice in Avoyelles Parish is swift, fair, and effective. Too often, cases sit on crowded dockets for years, delaying justice for victims, defendants, and the community. Cases get lost in the system, memories fade, witnesses disappear, and confidence in the justice system erodes. This is preventable in many instances with an aggressive District Attorney. This initiative will ensure that every case is addressed promptly and deliberately.
Under this plan, criminal cases will be reviewed immediately upon receipt from law enforcement by both the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office. Early review allows prosecutors to quickly determine the appropriate course of action, whether that means pursuing charges, requesting additional investigation or negotiating a fair resolution.
ACTIVELY PURSUING ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES TO RELIEVE THE CITIZENS BURDEN
The District Attorney must be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Jonathan will do that by pursuing lawful and ethical ways to increase revenue for the justice system. Most importantly, he will do it without raising taxes.
When defendants fail to appear in court, bond forfeitures are owed to the parish. These funds often go uncollected. Jonathan will change that and will prioritize improved tracking and streamlining the collection of bond forfeitures, coordination with clerks, courts, and law enforcement, and to ensure that those who ignore court orders are held financially accountable.
The State of Louisiana has a “user pay” criminal justice system, meaning the bulk of the funds used for the administration of justice is largely funded by the users of that system, that is, the criminal defendants. As District Attorney, Jonathan will ensure that when criminal defendants plead guilty and receive probation, the fines assessed to criminal defendants will be substantially increased in order to sustain the criminal justice system, without increasing the tax burden on law abiding citizens. Jonathan believes that the criminals should bear financial responsibility rather than taxpayers.
These funds are not meant to increase salaries, but rather can be reinvested into public safety, victim services, and court operations, including security for those called to jury duty.
PROMOTING COORDINATION WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
Effective justice requires coordination. Jonathan will work to maintain a professional, working relationship with the Public Defender’s Office to move cases efficiently through the system. Both the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office can benefit from collaborating by reducing unnecessary court appearances, lowering excessive caseloads, and allowing both offices to devote more time and attention to major crimes, repeat offenders, and violent criminals.
A more efficient system protects taxpayers, strengthens public safety, and ensures that justice is done the right way.
Get in Touch with Jonathan.
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