Administrative Committee upholds sheriff’s denials for three alcoholic beverage handling cards

The DeSoto Parish Administrative Committee on April 20 sustained the sheriff’s denials of three alcoholic beverage handling card applications, voting individually to uphold the refusal for Mercedes Jackson, Christie Lucas and Don Hunter.

Committee members reviewed packet materials for each applicant and debated statutory language that refers to an applicant’s “good character and reputation.” One juror said the applicants’ felony histories and the ordinance’s character standard weighed against issuing cards. The committee conducted separate roll-call votes on each name and upheld the sheriff’s decision in all three cases.

The chair explained that a “yes” vote meant supporting the sheriff’s denial and that members could make alternate motions if they wished to grant a card. Several jurors asked whether applicants were present; staff confirmed the applicants had been referred to the committee following the sheriff’s initial denials.

The committee did not impose additional conditions or direct staff to reopen background reviews; the action recorded in the minutes simply upholds the sheriff’s denials as referred under section 10-40 of the Code of Ordinances.

The decisions were procedural appeals of administrative denials and do not change the statutory standard. There were no further motions to reconsider during the meeting.