City asks for a stay in Phase III construction pending appeal
A federal court judge who has previously criticized the city’s attempts to halt the facility once again appeared skeptical of its arguments.
Author: Nick Chrastil
- About 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.
Marijuana possession arrests continue to decline — but some still being made, despite NOPD policy
Councilwoman suggests reducing fines for possession to as little as $1.
District attorney to set up ‘satellite offices’ at public libraries and community centers around New Orleans
The offices will focus on engaging residents to work with the DA’s office and will house the DA’s diversion program.
Group has filed more than 1,000 post-conviction relief applications challenging non-unanimous jury verdicts since Supreme Court ruling
This week will mark one year since the Supreme Court ruled that non-unanimous jury verdicts were unconstitutional. For about 1,500 Louisiana prisoners, that means a legal deadline is fast approaching.
Proposed state law would give discretion to judges on habitual offender sentences
Judges would be allowed to overrule prosecutors seeking decades-long sentence enhancements.
New policy says Orleans prosecutors should refuse all low-level drug charges except those for heroin and fentanyl
Previously, Williams said only that he would refuse low-level marijuana charges.
New DA’s office interim policy removes procedural barriers for people challenging convictions
Claims of innocence should be heard on the merits, officials in Williams' office say.
Orleans magistrate commissioner disciplined by Supreme Court for forging client’s signature
Albert Thibodeaux was given a six month deferred suspension from practicing law.
A quarter of people incarcerated in the Orleans Parish jail have received a COVID-19 vaccine, according to sheriff
Defendants whose non-unanimous convictions were tossed take plea deals on lesser charges
More than a dozen people appeared in court on Wednesday after making deals with the Orleans Parish DA’s office. Many are now set to go free immediately.
