Nicholas Chrastil, Author at The Lens

Author Archives: Nicholas 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.

At least one court staff member and one attorney with the public defenders office have tested positive.

Author Archives: Nicholas Chrastil

Public defenders to stop in-person appearances at Municipal Court due to reported COVID-19 outbreak

With increased city funding, public defenders avoid ‘worst possible outcome,’ but not out of the woods yet, chief defender says

Public defenders to receive more city funding than ever before — but not quite the ‘parity’ with DA as promised by City Council

Report: 80 percent of people still in prison on non-unanimous jury verdicts are Black

NOPD presents budget to City Council, as activists continue calls to defund

In city budget hearing, council members say they want public defender funding closer to DA, but it’s unclear where they’ll find the money

Juveniles in adult jail may be obstacle to city’s bid to scrap Phase III facility

DA candidates Landrum, Williams advance to December runoff election

Mayor’s proposed budget ignores ordinance mandating equitable funding for public defenders and DA’s office

Money bail a central issue in race for New Orleans magistrate judge