Watchdog group says that public access is a “constitutional and traditional right, especially during these critical times.”
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 inCoronavirus
Orleans Juvenile Court closed due to potential coronavirus exposure
Juvenile public defender worries that juveniles will languish in detention without hearings.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Sheriff’s Office says it has released 23 inmates in response to coronavirus crisis
Defenders office, advocacy groups have warned about the potential dangers of incarceration during the outbreak.
Posted inCriminal Justice
As calls for release of inmates increase, DA’s office argues against bond reductions, saying defendants could spread virus if freed
Defense attorneys say city’s jail is a dangerous environment during an outbreak.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Public defenders urge NOPD to suspend non-violent, low-level arrests
The office said that low-level arrests have continued in spite of coronavirus threat.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Public defenders request the release of all non-violent offenders in jail due to coronavirus
The city’s public defenders say detainees need reliable access to soap and hand-sanitizer.
Posted inSection G
The Section G Podcast episode 3: The cauldron
Some grew to love it. Others — ones who threatened to slow-up the breakneck pace of proceedings — weren’t allowed to practice in his courtroom at all.
Posted inSection G
The Section G Project Part 2: An Oral History of Section G
Part 2 in our series on the life and career of New Orleans Judge Frank Shea during the rise of mass incarceration.
Posted inSection G
The Section G Podcast episode 2: ‘Speedy is his name’
In this episode, we look at Frank Shea’s career, some of its historical context, and talk with a man who watched Shea operate for over 20 years, became his political rival and developed some strong feelings about him
Posted inSection G
Part 1: The Strange Career of Judge Frank Shea
The first in a four-part series on the life and career of Criminal District Court Judge Frank Shea.