In late January, a sergeant working in the New Orleans jail called for backup because a detainee, who was housed on a tier reserved for people with mental health needs, had a broomstick in his cell. When three deputies arrived, they found the cell window covered in feces and “a large amount of unknown liquid […]
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 inCriminal Justice
In Linda Frickey case, DA Williams using controversial legal doctrine to seek life sentences for 4 teens
The decision by District Attorney Jason William to charge the teens as adults was controversial, if not surprising. During his campaign for DA, Williams promised to keep all cases involving kids in juvenile court, and frequently cited research on youth brain development that indicates kids are more susceptible to peer pressure, more likely to engage in risky behavior, and less likely to consider the consequences of that behavior.
Posted inCriminal Justice
How will the DA’s decision to revive the habitual offender law impact plea negotiations in New Orleans?
Earlier this month, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams announced that he was going back on his campaign promise to never utilize or threaten to use the state’s habitual offender law, which can dramatically increase prison sentences for people who have been convicted of prior felonies. And for the first time last week, prosecutors with […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Proposal to give police 25-foot buffer raises constitutional concerns
Getting within 25 feet of a police officer after being told to stop would be a crime under a measure being pushed by a Louisiana lawmaker, but the idea is raising constitutional concerns among advocacy organizations, who say it could deter people from witnessing and recording police abuse when they see it taking place. State […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Jurors return to criminal court in New Orleans after pause due to summons debacle, but concerns remain
The court has updated language on mailed summonses, but attorneys question completeness of juror rolls.
Posted inCriminal Justice
With future of city’s gun violence office uncertain, health department to develop its own ‘robust’ prevention program
Health director Dr. Jennifer Avegno says she wants to put tens of millions behind violence intervention programs.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Alleged exclusion of people with felonies from jury pool doesn’t warrant new trial, judge rules
Jury summonses continued to list outdated qualifications after a state law change in 2021.
Posted inCriminal Justice
After halting Criminal Court jury trials, hearing reveals new details on juror summons
Lawyers and advocates argue jurors with felony convictions have been improperly excluded from jury pools.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Jury trials in New Orleans criminal court halted through February
Eligible jurors may have been excluded as far back as Aug. 2021 when a new state law went into effect.
Posted inCriminal Justice
State appellate court orders hearing on whether New Orleans criminal court has been illegally excluding people with felony convictions from serving on juries
Previous convictions could be challenged pending the outcome of the hearing.