The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could overturn at least 1,500 split jury verdicts in Louisiana. But in Orleans Parish, hundreds convicted by a 10-2 jury may not have to rely on a court ruling, under pledges from Williams, Landrum.
At least one court staff member and one attorney with the public defenders office have tested positive.
A last-minute budget amendment will help the office hire outside attorneys to handle some cases. But lower ticket and fee revenues — and a growing backlog from COVID-19 court closures — are still causing problems.
The budget passed Thursday increased the public defenders allocation from the city by $1.8 million more than the mayor originally proposed
US Supreme Court found non-unanimous verdicts unconstitutional this year, but 1,500 prisoners await ruling on retroactivity.
The police department is facing a cut next year, but it’s relatively modest compared to other departments.
An August ordinance calls for the defenders to be funded at 85 percent of the DA’s Office. Cantrell ignored it in her budget proposal. One council member floated the idea of cutting the DA’s budget.
With a decision on the proposed new jail building in the balance and a larger juvenile jail available, Cantrell administration reverses tough stance on placing youths in Orleans Justice Center.
Landrum led most of the night. The contest came down to whether Williams or former Judge Arthur Hunter would face her in December.
The proposed budget ordinance funds the public defenders at 28 percent of the DA's office, and would override the ordinance mandating 85 percent funding passed in August.
