Orleans, Jefferson DAs face ethics complaints for prosecutors’ use of fake subpoenas
The Southern Poverty Law Center filed the complaint today with the state agency that disciplines attorneys.
Category
Criminal Justice
Asking why and how, and what needs to be done.
Louisiana DAs offer motorists a deal: Write us a check and we’ll dismiss your speeding ticket
Some people who get speeding tickets are given the option to write a check to the local district attorney’s office, which keeps the ticket out of court and off their driving record. The money stays with the DA. Public defenders, which rely on revenue from traffic tickets in court, say these diversion programs have hurt their budgets.
Fake subpoena could factor into Cardell Hayes’ appeal of manslaughter conviction
The DA’s office sent a fake subpoena to the mother of Hayes’ son.
Two years later, no resolution in case of SciTech Academy employee charged with molesting a boy
Ronald Johnson left the school the day after the alleged incident. His case has been delayed 15 times.
Judge orders Orleans Parish district attorney to turn over records related to fake subpoenas
The judge wasn’t swayed by an argument by the DA’s lawyer that it’s too hard to find the records.
Transcript shows judge didn’t know about fake subpoena when she issued arrest warrant
But the judge didn’t recall the arrest warrant until after the case was dropped.
Prosecutor tried to jail victim of alleged domestic violence after she didn’t obey fake subpoena
District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro has said people faced “no legal consequences” if they failed to obey fake subpoenas sent by his office. But one of his prosecutors got an arrest warrant for a woman in part because she didn’t obey a fake subpoena. She was never arrested because the charges were dropped.
Live chat Thursday: Discuss The Lens’ reporting on fake subpoenas in and around New Orleans
Ask questions and offer suggestions on where to focus our reporting.
Just-passed bill gives juvenile lifers a chance at parole if they’ve served 25 years
But prosecutors can oppose parole eligibility if they believe the defendant is irredeemable.
Louis Gibson and 300 other juvenile lifers could get parole hearings if lawmakers agree on a bill
Louis Gibson was convicted of murder for shooting a childhood friend, Latrone Davis. He's served 24 years in prison. Legislators are working on legislation to grant parole hearings to people who were juveniles when they were sentenced to life in prison. The law could affect about 300 inmates.
