La. R.S. 13:2702

Because of the existing possibility of attack of unprecedented size and destructiveness, upon the United States and in order, in the event of such an attack, to assure continuity of government through legally constituted leadership, authority and responsibility in offices of the government of the state, to provide for the effective operation of governments during an emergency, and to facilitate the early resumption of functions temporarily suspended, it is found and declared to be necessary to provide for special emergency judges who can exercise the powers and discharge the duties of judicial offices in the event regular judges are unavailable.