Born in Detroit, Michigan, La Plata was in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, from 1943 to 1946 and during the Korean War, from 1952 to 1954.

He was a Circuit judge, Oakland County, Michigan from 1979 to 1985, and was a professor at the Detroit College of Law from 1985 to 1986.

[1] On February 27, 1985, La Plata was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan created by 98 Stat.

La Plata served in that capacity until his retirement, on August 3, 1996.

[1] La Plata died on November 14, 2010, at the age of 86, in Naples, Florida, where he had moved to after his retirement.