The dismissals reduce the court’s case load by more than 50 percent.
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Posted inGovernment & Politics
Criminal, municipal and traffic court judges all say they need more money from city
On third day of budget hearings, only District Attorney’s Office says it’s fine with proposed budget.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Traffic court judge: Efficiency would cost too many city jobs
The city should ignore the advice of its inspector general and not merge Municipal Court and Traffic Court because too many city employees would lose their jobs in the interest of government efficiency, the head of Traffic Court said today. The candid remarks from Chief Judge Robert Jones came as New Orleans City Councilwoman Susan […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Landrieu asks City Council to move appeals of camera-generated tickets to Traffic Court
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s office this morning will place an ordinance before the City Council that, if approved, would move contested traffic-camera tickets from Civil Court to Traffic Court, a move that could raise millions of dollars for Traffic Court. Landrieu’s spokesman, Ryan Berni, confirmed the move. “The […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
House votes to jack up Traffic Court fees, despite ample current revenue streams
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The state House this afternoon voted 86 to 1 to approve a bill that would let New Orleans Traffic Court charge higher fees even though its budget has ballooned recently. The legislator who sponsored the bill and one of the court’s judges gave different reasons why the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Despite record income, Traffic Court judges pushing bill to give themselves more money
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A bill scheduled for debate Wednesday on the floor of the state House would let New Orleans Traffic Court charge higher fees even though its budget is booming. Further, the legislator who sponsored the bill and one of the court’s judges gave different reasons why the bill […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Public defenders to stop in-person appearances at Municipal Court due to reported COVID-19 outbreak
At least one court staff member and one attorney with the public defenders office have tested positive.
Posted inCriminal Justice
A year after critical report, massive case and warrant backlogs remain at Municipal Court
Judges also face scrutiny from watchdog group over comments from the bench
Posted inCriminal Justice
Public defenders ask court to toss 3,000 cases stemming from city begging ordinance previously found unconstitutional
Move is part of a broader push to clean slate on outstanding municipal warrants and fines.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Council committee urges courts to forgive court debt, outstanding warrants
The New Orleans City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee unanimously called for the forgiveness of all outstanding debt individuals have accrued from fines and fees in Municipal and Traffic Court. The committee also encouraged the City Attorney’s Office, which prosecutes traffic and municipal code offenses, to dismiss “low-level, non-violent, and so called Quality of Life offenses, […]