On September 16, 2026, the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office hosted the annual True Blue Drew Criminal Law Update, presented by Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Jeff Cox and Attorney Tammy Jump.
The True Blue Drew Criminal Law Update has been an important part of annual law enforcement training in our area for many years. The program continues the work of the late Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal Judge R. Harmon Drew Jr. and his wife, attorney Jean Talley Drew.
Together, Judge Drew and Jean co-authored the True Blue Drew Law Book and spent many years providing criminal law and procedure training to law enforcement officers across Louisiana. The book has been updated annually to reflect changes in Louisiana law and court decisions and continues to serve as a practical resource for law enforcement officers.
Keeping officers current on changes in the law is an important part of professional law enforcement. Legislative changes and court decisions can affect criminal offenses and penalties, arrest procedures, investigations, search and seizure, and many other areas officers encounter in their duties.
Louisiana POST-certified officers covered by the state’s annual in-service requirements must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing training each year, including firearms training, officer survival, legal updates, and elective training.
The annual True Blue Drew Criminal Law Update helps fulfill the legal-update requirement while giving officers information they can immediately apply in the field. It also provides an opportunity for agencies to discuss how changes in the law affect day-to-day decisions, from initial investigations and arrests to evidence collection, report writing, case preparation, and courtroom testimony.
The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office was pleased to welcome officers from the Jonesboro Police Department, Hodge Police Department, North Hodge Police Department, and Eros Police Department.
Sheriff Brent Barnett would like to thank Judge Jeff Cox and Attorney Tammy Jump for providing this important training and for their continued commitment to keeping Louisiana law enforcement officers informed of changes in the law.
Thanks also goes to Jonesboro Police Chief Israel Smith, Hodge Police Chief Travis Reed, North Hodge Police Chief Robert “Bobby” Dillon, and Eros Police Chief Walter Kotz for supporting the continued training and professional development of the law enforcement officers in Jackson Parish.
“We appreciate the opportunity for law enforcement agencies throughout Jackson Parish to train together,” said Jackson Parish Sheriff Brent Barnett. “Continued training helps ensure officers share a common understanding of changes in the law and are prepared to apply those laws properly, consistently, and professionally. It also strengthens communication between agencies and promotes a more consistent approach when officers work together across jurisdictional lines.
One Important Change for 2026: Marijuana and School Zones
One example of why these annual legal updates matter involves a recent change to Louisiana law concerning marijuana and drug-free school zones.
Effective August 1, 2026, Act 305 of the 2026 Regular Session strengthened penalties for certain controlled-substance violations occurring on or near school property.
Under Louisiana law, possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana outside these protected areas may ordinarily carry a fine of no more than $100. However, the consequences can be significantly greater when the offense occurs within areas covered by Louisiana’s drug-free school zone law.
For marijuana-related violations covered by the new law, a person may face up to one year of imprisonment, with or without hard labor, and a fine of up to $1,000 when the offense occurs on school property, within 2,000 feet of school property, or on a school bus.
Act 305 also expressly addresses smoking, vaping, or otherwise using controlled dangerous substances within these protected areas.
That distinction is important.
As marijuana laws and penalties have changed, some may assume that possession of a small amount carries little consequence. That should not be assumed in schools and school zones.
The issue also extends beyond traditional marijuana. THC oils and concentrates can be contained in small vape-style devices that are easily concealed and difficult to distinguish from ordinary vaping products. Concentrated THC products can contain very high levels of THC, and products from unregulated sources may contain other additives or contaminants.
These changes strengthen the penalties associated with controlled substances in and around schools and reinforce the importance of keeping drugs away from school campuses and areas where students are present.
The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office will continue working closely with the schools we serve and our law enforcement partners throughout the parish. Violations involving marijuana, THC products, and other controlled substances on or around school campuses will continue to be taken seriously and closely monitored.
“Our goal is not simply enforcement. It is also prevention, education, and helping provide a safe environment for students, teachers, and school personnel,” continued Barnett. “That requires awareness from officers, school officials, parents, and students alike, particularly as new products and changing laws create additional challenges.”
“Training such as the annual True Blue Drew Criminal Law Update helps ensure that our deputies and law enforcement partners understand the laws they are entrusted to enforce and are prepared to apply them properly, consistently, and professionally,” Barnett said in closing. “Continued training makes better officers, strengthens cooperation between our agencies, and helps us better serve and protect the people of Jackson Parish.”