The Sheriff’s Office has joined calls to lower the jail’s population.
Category: Criminal Justice
Posted inCoronavirus
Amid coronavirus fears, public defenders petition judges to order release of high-risk inmates; sheriff joins in call for more releases
The petition also calls for the release of anyone arrested on low-level charges
Posted inCoronavirus
Data show steep declines in New Orleans arrests over past several days
Some low-level, non-violent arrests continue.
Posted inCoronavirus
As courts move to videoconferences, a fight for public access
Watchdog group says that public access is a “constitutional and traditional right, especially during these critical times.”
Posted inCoronavirus
Orleans Juvenile Court closed due to potential coronavirus exposure
Juvenile public defender worries that juveniles will languish in detention without hearings.
Posted inInside the News Room
Nicholas Chrastil joins Lens’ reporting staff
Nick covers criminal justice affairs and his reporting is featured in our Section G Project.
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 inGovernment & Politics
Louisiana Supreme Court affirms that map of city surveillance cameras is public information
A public defender sued last year after the city denied her request for surveillance camera location data.
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.