With jury trials set to begin again in March, New Orleans criminal court prepares for huge volume of cases
Jury trials have come almost to a complete halt over the past two years, creating a massive backlog of cases.
Category
Criminal Justice
After George Floyd’s murder, the New Orleans City Council created a committee to hear from ‘historically marginalized communities.’ It never met.
The Jerome “Big Duck” Smith Justice System Advisory committee was tasked with advising the council on criminal justice spending and policies.
Louisiana Supreme Court to hear case that could determine fate of hundreds convicted by split juries
The court will consider a 25-year-old murder case decided by a 10-2 jury.
Sheriff-elect Susan Hutson files opposition to Phase III in appellate court
Hutson says her reforms will bring mental health care into compliance with consent decree without requiring new facility.
Brandon Jackson, convicted of armed robbery in split-jury vote, granted parole
Jackson was the subject of an investigation by The Lens and Al Jazeera Fault Lines into the ongoing legacy of the state's split-jury verdict law, years after it was repealed.
Brandon Jackson, convicted in split-jury verdict in Bossier Parish, to go before parole board on Friday
Jackson is one of hundreds of people still locked up more than three years after non-unanimous jury verdicts were outlawed in the state.
In trial over conditions at state prison, Tulane psychiatry chair says mental health care is ‘adequate’
Dr. John Thompson was called by the defense this week, the fourth week of a month-long trial in the class-action suit.
Council approves resolution opposing Phase III jail building, declines to vote on alternative retrofit plan
The resolution instructs the council’s attorneys to prepare and submit an amicus brief in federal appeals court expressing the council’s opposition to the controversial jail building.
‘The needs are urgent’: Sheriff-elect Hutson pledges compliance with jail consent decree, seeks long-term operating agreement with city
The sheriff-elect praised the City Council over its opposition to a controversial new jail facility.
Council members, sheriff-elect say they will oppose new jail building in federal appeals court
A proposed council resolution calls for an amicus brief against Phase III. It also suggests that the council may not vote to approve an alternative plan, saying the vote is not necessary.
