The ordinance that was ultimately passed wasn’t as ambitious as the original, but advocates say it’s a good start.
Category: Criminal Justice
Posted inCriminal Justice
As DA, Jason Williams plans to keep a list of police officers with credibility issues he won’t take cases from
Details are limited, but Williams says he expects it to be a “collaborative process” with the police department.
Posted inCriminal Justice
After overwhelming defeat at polls, French Quarter security sales tax heading back to the ballot in April
The success of the ballot measure could come down to whether the French Quarter Management District and the city can strike a deal on the use and control over the funds.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Report: Corrections officials in Louisiana failed to protect inmates, staff from COVID-19
Promise of Justice Initiative criticizes state and federal response at jails and prisons statewide.
Posted inCriminal Justice
City releases dozens of pages of emails on police use of facial recognition
The emails show that the NOPD and Louisiana State Police have had a formal relationship since at least 2018 that provides the NOPD access facial recognition software.
Posted inCriminal Justice
‘Every single person in that office has to understand the culture shift’: How Jason Williams plans to remake prosecution in New Orleans
The DA-elect lays out his plan for hiring staff and a new Civil Rights Division to be headed by former director of the Innocence Project New Orleans
Posted inCriminal Justice
City’s request to stop construction of Phase III jail facility should be denied, federal judge recommends
In scathing report, judge says he has “lost trust” in the city.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Jason Williams will be next Orleans Parish DA
Williams defeated Keva Landrum in Saturday’s election. He has pledged to end the policies of mass incarceration in the city.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Orleans DA candidates say they will review all old non-unanimous verdicts regardless of upcoming Supreme Court ruling
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.
Posted inCoronavirus
Public defenders to stop in-person appearances at Municipal Court due to reported COVID-19 outbreak
At least one court staff member and one attorney with the public defenders office have tested positive.