Matthew Bernard has filed a striking lawsuit that could reshape the boundaries of judicial authority. On February 24, 2025, Bernard submitted a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana against Richard Bourgeois Jr., a United States Magistrate Judge. The suit accuses Bourgeois of overstepping his legal boundaries and infringing upon Bernard's rights under common law.
The crux of Bernard's complaint is centered around an alleged misuse of authority by Bourgeois, who he claims improperly intervened in a previous suit Bernard had filed on January 31, 2025, against Kristine Ford, David Matlock, and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. Bernard asserts that his original filing was a "Suit at Common-Law" with specific demands that it not be treated as a civil action or assigned to a magistrate judge. Despite these instructions, Bourgeois allegedly reclassified the suit as a civil action and issued orders under this classification.
Bernard's allegations against Bourgeois are extensive and serious. He accuses Bourgeois of "misappropriation of government monies," "unauthorized practice of law," "abuse of authority," and numerous other violations including conspiracy and treason. According to Bernard, these actions were taken with the intent to derail his common-law suit and violate his constitutional protections under the Bill of Rights. He contends that Bourgeois' actions have caused him undue harm and detriment.
In his filing, Bernard outlines how he believes Bourgeois' conduct reflects a broader pattern within the Middle District of Louisiana where suits at common-law are routinely misclassified as civil actions without consent from plaintiffs like himself. This alleged misconduct begins with court clerks who compel plaintiffs to fill out civil complaint forms under misleading pretenses.
Bernard is seeking significant damages amounting to $5,064,758.55 plus additional costs and sanctions deemed appropriate by a jury upon finding facts in his favor. He emphasizes that this case should be judged by an Article III judge rather than any non-Article III official to ensure fairness in accordance with the Seventh Amendment right to trial by jury.
Representing himself pro se, Matthew Bernard is challenging what he perceives as systemic issues within the judicial process that undermine individual rights protected by common law traditions. The case has been filed under Case ID 3:25-cv-00165-SDJ-EWD in front of Judge Shelly Dick.