Special to
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Attorney Robert J. “Rob” Snyder Jr. announced he is seeking the St. John the Baptist Parish Judge’s seat, Division “B” this fall.

He is a native of the River Parishes.

He is a graduate of Riverside Academy in Reserve; a former law enforcement officer who went to the LSU Police Academy in Baton Rouge; a former emergency medical technician, where he completed E.M.T. training at the River Parishes Vocational Technical School; a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, where he received his bachelor of arts in government; and a graduate of Southern University Law Center, where he received his juris doctorate.

Snyder served as a law enforcement officer throughout the 1990s, when he worked as a 911 operator, patrol deputy and first responder — he was able to work for a short time in the “COPS fast program,” which was administered through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Snyder said the program provided immediate assistance to the Housing Authority in order to reduce crime in the housing complexes. 

In 1996, Snyder was accepted to the Southern University Law Center. Snyder said Southern University Law Center is an institution of opportunity for all, which taught him the law and how the law should be applied fairly and equally to all.

In 2000, he was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar Association and has maintained a legal practice working for Snyder Law Firm, LLC, since then.

During that tenure, he has come into contact with prosecuting and defense attorneys.

He has tried criminal jury trials, acting as the defense attorney.

He also has appealed criminal matters.

During that time, he too has been able to handle complex civil litigation and has tried civil jury trials acting as the plaintiff’s attorney.

Snyder has also been able to handle family law matters, wills and successions.

Snyder, a life-long resident of the River Parishes and a life long Democrat, said if elected Judge, he is committed to serving “a full term” for the entire six years.

Snyder said a judge should always be fair and impartial and rule in a manner that is based upon the law and evidence presented.

He lives in Live Oak Landing Subdivision in LaPlace at his home, which was recently repaired after being flooded during Hurricane Isaac.