Michael Walker and Vernon Claville were convicted this past spring of taking bribes in return for favorable rulings and bond reductions.

U.S. District Judge Maurice Hicks of Shreveport ordered them jailed immediately after the guilty verdicts were returned. That decision was appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, which upheld Hicks' decision.

Hicks considered both men flight risks and potential threats to the community.  Lawyers for Walker and Claville disputed that.

Sentencing is scheduled for September.