James Carter presides at Tuesday’s meeting of the Criminal Justice Council. By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | James Carter, Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s criminal justice coordinator, got an earful Tuesday at his very first meeting with the city’s Criminal Justice Council. The panel, comprising judges, the sheriff, the police chief and the occasional City […]
Category: Criminal Justice
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Jefferson drops charges against OPP deputy
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The District Attorney’s Office in Jefferson Parish has dropped all charges against a jailhouse sergeant at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office booked in April with domestic abuse battery and aggravated assault. Sgt. William Holmes was arrested at his home April 9 after his wife called 911 and later […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Your money, who decides? New Orleanians invited to speak up on budget for next year
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The New Orleans Coalition on Open Governance is holding a training session for citizens Wednesday to teach them how, when, and where best to speak up so that their voices are included in the city’s budget process, which is already underway. The coalition, of which The Lens […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Council tells district attorney, criminal clerk to do a better job of measuring effectiveness
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Three City Councilwomen pushed the District Attorney’s Office and the Clerk of Criminal District Court to set better performance measures for how they spend taxpayer money this week. Their remarks came at the last of three joint meetings of the council’s Criminal Justice and Budget committees Thursday. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Suspended deputy loses part-time constable job after being accused of beating woman
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | An Orleans Parish Sheriff’s deputy arrested and suspended Monday after being booked with simple assault also has been fired from his second job as a deputy constable after being accused of a separate assault this month, records show. And even before being fired from his part-time position […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Council puts hope in criminal-justice reforms but raises questions about some budgets
Update, Jun 30: This story has been corrected in several places related to the budget for the Public Defender’s Office. See corrections in italics. By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | “For decades our city has justified its collective reluctance to change through the mantra of ‘we’re different here’,” Councilwoman Susan Guidry said, opening […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Deputy arrested, booked with assault
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer| Correction, June 30: The deputy’s name is Mark Andry. A previous version of this story had the last name “Landry.” Another sheriff’s deputy has been suspended after being arrested and booked with assault, the sheriff’s office confirmed Tuesday. This is the fourth disciplinary incident at Orleans Parish Sheriff […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Environment, Government & Politics
Mixed Council response to Fielkow's request for transparency and an earlier budget start
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | City Council members appear to be falling in line in a move toward more transparent and timely budgeting – but not all of them. Last week’s joint meeting of the Criminal Justice and Budget committees was a first of its kind. For as long as anyone can […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Deputy charged with domestic abuse, battery on girlfriend pleads guilty to lesser charge
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | An Orleans Parish sheriff’s deputy, initially suspended after being booked with domestic abuse and battery on his girlfriend, has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disturbing the peace after the alleged victim refused to cooperate, the District Attorney’s office said this week. Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
District attorney declines prosecution for cop who allegedly brandished pair of guns
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A rookie New Orleans cop who resigned in April after allegedly brandishing two guns during an off-duty altercation at a gas station will not face criminal charges in the incident, prosecutors have decided. Swanier “After reviewing all of the evidence, the District Attorney’s office determined that it […]