Williams trial for tax fraud began on Monday with jury selection.
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 inNews
DA Jason Williams heads to trial in federal tax fraud case
If convicted, Williams would likely be forced to step down as district attorney.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Jail staff ignored medical and mental health needs of detainee who died in custody last summer, lawsuit claims
Lawyers say Anthony Hunt was kept locked in a flooded jail cell prior to his death from an overdose, despite clear signs that he needed medical attention.
Posted inNews
Louisiana kids detained in Alabama sent back after altercation at juvenile facility
Local police were able to provide limited details regarding the Tuesday incident.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Nearly a year after council vote, blanket pardons for marijuana convictions still not showing up in criminal records
Without a pardon in their records, people could be forced to pay hundreds of dollars to have their convictions expunged.
Posted inHealth
Louisiana abortion provider wins temporary restraining order, rendering trigger laws unenforceable for now
The ruling comes just days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that established the fundamental right to abortion.
Posted inCriminal Justice
After Supreme Court decision, Orleans DA says prosecuting abortions under state trigger law not a priority for his office
Williams called the court decision overturning Roe ‘cruel and irresponsible.’ His position could lead to conflict with the state’s top prosecutor, AG Jeff Landry, who is staunchly anti-abortion and supports prosecution.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice now sending some kids in state custody to Alabama, advocacy group says
The youths were transferred to Alabama without notice, according to the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Hutson official says jail staff wasn’t present during fight that left one dead
The sheriff defended her decision to reassign courthouse staff despite criticism from judges, councilmembers.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Some Louisiana kids are being shipped to juvenile detention facilities in Mississippi and Alabama, potentially violating state law
Records show that dozens of children have been held out of state in recent years. Advocates say that they are being kept away from families and lawyers.