Skip to content

Read Our 2025 Impact Report

Focused On

  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.
  • Lens Carnival Edition

Main Navigation

The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate
The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate

Focused On

  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.
  • Lens Carnival Edition

Topics

  • Criminal Justice
  • Environment
  • Government & Politics
  • Land Use
  • Schools

Sign Up for the Latest News

  • The Lens Newsletter
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff

Follow The Lens

  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Listen to Behind The Lens Podcast

  • Spotify
  • Environment
  • Criminal Justice
  • ICE enforcement
  • Opinion
  • Schools
  • In the N.O.
  • Podcast
  • Lens Carnival Edition
  • About The Lens
  • Support Us

Category
Criminal Justice

Asking why and how, and what needs to be done.

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.
by Nick Chrastil March 12, 2020 Updated January 6, 2021

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.
by Nick Chrastil March 12, 2020 Updated June 5, 2020

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.
by Nick Chrastil March 5, 2020 Updated March 11, 2020

Judge awards Lens $30,000 in attorney’s fees for fake subpoena records suit

The lawsuit has stretched on for nearly three years.
by Marta Jewson February 20, 2020 Updated February 20, 2020

DA's lawyer gets tough questions from judges in appeal on fake subpoena case

"Faking a subpoena is clearly improper under the law," one judge said.
by Charles Maldonado February 5, 2020 Updated February 5, 2020

Civil rights lawyers in federal bail suit ask judge to hold New Orleans Magistrate Harry Cantrell in contempt of court

Lawyers say that in spite of a legal agreement, Cantrell still fails to consider defendants' ability to pay. In a second motion, they are asking for him to stop setting cash bail altogether.
by Nick Chrastil January 22, 2020 Updated January 22, 2020

In final vote, council approves use of Temporary Detention Center for inmates with acute mental health needs

The ordinance also creates an inmate cap of 1,250, replacing the 1,438 bed cap.
by Nick Chrastil January 16, 2020 Updated January 16, 2020

Monitors say NOPD academy now in compliance with federal consent decree

Monitors have found department in compliance with at least 11 of 18 major consent decree sections.
by Michael Isaac Stein December 17, 2019 Updated December 17, 2019

Appeals court affirms that city surveillance records are public

A public defender sued for crime camera location records after the city claimed they were too sensitive for public release.
by Charles Maldonado December 6, 2019 Updated December 6, 2019

City Council approves ‘compromise’ on use of jail facility

The amendment would allow the continued use of the facility’s Temporary Detention Center for housing certain inmates. It will require one more vote from the council.
by Nick Chrastil December 5, 2019 Updated January 15, 2020

Posts navigation

  • «
  • 1
  • …
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • …
  • 111
  • »

About The Lens

The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region.

Staunchly defending the public's right to know, we are deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.

Our reporting has more urgency than ever.

Sign up to get the latest news on New Orleans and the Gulf South sent directly to your inbox.

 
 

Support The Lens

We depend on your support. A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service.

Donate Now

Most Popular

Louisiana and Alabama map battles renew voting rights fight after 61 yearsLouisiana and Alabama map battles renew voting rights fight after 61 yearsAugust 14, 2026Ralph Chapoco - Louisiana Illuminator RalphCriminal Justice
While New Orleans invested in violence intervention, Baton Rouge made crippling cutsWhile New Orleans invested in violence intervention, Baton Rouge made crippling cutsAugust 13, 2026Sateria Tate-Alexander and Danny AllenCriminal Justice
These Louisiana K-12 school jobs won’t come with a state stipend this yearThese Louisiana K-12 school jobs won’t come with a state stipend this yearAugust 12, 2026Julie O'Donoghue, Louisiana IlluminatorNews

The Lens
The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff
  • Employment
  • Contact us
  • Corrections
  • Support The Lens
  • Get The Lens Newsletter
  • Privacy policy
  • Code Of Ethics
  • Republish our stories
Candid Platinum INN Member LION Member
© 2024 The Lens. All Rights Reserved.

Our reporting has more urgency than ever.


For more than a decade, we have reported on issues as well as public policy meant to address the needs of residents. The Lens seeks to focus on the inherent inequality that has created a multi-tiered system. We, at The Lens seek to uncover, illuminate, inform and take part in a forward-looking community. Join us.

 
 

Continue to The Lens