One day after the Cantrell administration moved to terminate the reform agreement, the judge overseeing the department ordered additional scrutiny from a team of court-appointed monitors.
Author Archives: Nick Chrastil
Nicholas Chrastil covers criminal justice for The Lens. As a freelancer, his work has appeared in Slate, Undark, Mother Jones, and the Atavist, among other outlets. Chrastil has a master's degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University, where his research focused on New Orleans' newspapers during the Reconstruction era. During his time at LSU, he also covered the Louisiana state legislature as part of the Manship Statehouse Bureau. He is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Federal magistrate judge demands answers regarding ongoing discussions of jail retrofit alternative to Phase III
The court has ordered the city move forward on Phase III over opposition from Mayor Cantrell and Sheriff Hutson.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Louisiana Supreme Court could decide legality of kids being held in out-of-state juvenile detention facilities
Local governments around the state have been sending pretrial juvenile detainees to neighboring states for years. One lawyer says the practice is against state law.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Council passes ‘guardrails’ ordinance on police use of facial recognition, but does not require approval of judge
Criminal court judges said they wanted more information on the technology before they are in charge of approving it.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Council to consider ordinances requiring greater transparency on facial recognition, police operations
Cantrell admin opposes proposal calling for NOPD to submit raw data on crime, staffing and surveillance usage.
Posted inCriminal Justice
New Orleans DA Jason Williams acquitted on all counts
His former law partner was found guilty of four tax charges in a separate case that was tried jointly.
Posted inNews
Jury begins deliberations in DA Williams tax trial
Williams, Burdett forgo witnesses, moving straight to closing arguments after prosecution rests.
Posted inCriminal Justice
First week of trial against DA Jason Williams wraps up with testimony from IRS investigator and Williams’ ex-wife
The prosecution is expected to continue its case with more witnesses on Monday.
Posted inCriminal Justice
DA’s former tax preparer testifies in federal fraud trial
Cross-examination of the key government witness will continue on the trial’s fourth day, July 21
Posted inCriminal Justice
Jury hears opening arguments in tax fraud case against DA Jason Williams
If convicted, Williams could lose his law license and would likely be forced to step down as DA.