[Kreweoftruth] Criminal District Court Prepares to Reopen for Jury Trials

[kreweoftruth at kreweoftruth.net]

  We look forward to resuming normal operations!   
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Criminal District Court Prepares to Reopen for Jury Trials
Like most of New Orleans, we are anxious to resume operations at Criminal District Court as they were before the COVID pandemic, optimizing a few additional modern features were have added to our online services.

Due to the most recent actions taken by the Governor and the City of New Orleans, the Louisiana Supreme Court announced that jury trials may resume by April 1, following best practices that promote public safety and health.
 
As Chief Justice of Criminal Court, I am proud of the work done at our court to make the past year as effective as possible within a limited range of in-person activities. While initially, all our services were handled virtually, there has been a gradual shift in our courts to partial in-person proceedings and more online services. We will continue this trend towards e-filing and providing services to the public which may be efficiently done online. 

Yet despite our progress in providing online services, jury trials must still be held in person. We have begun the process of articulating a plan for the safe return of jurors to our courthouse, working with other criminal justice agencies and healthcare professionals to create a safe and effective plan to welcome back jurors and members of the community.

I’ve always been mindful of moving cases efficiently, recognizing that cases which deal with violent crime and weapons always take longer. In addition, our new District Attorney Jason Williams will also be revisiting many older cases which were not decided by unanimous juries. As a result, our caseload is going to be challenging as we continue to move forward in phases, as per CDC and state/city guidelines. Nevertheless, the technological advancements we have made at the Court during COVID should help streamline the work.All 13 Judges, including our six newly elected members who have all completed their orientation training in cooperation with the Louisiana State Bar Association, are ready to keep the wheels of justice turning.It is important that the public understand the Judges are not advocates for any side or cause. We are referees, carefully considering the existing law and case circumstances individually. Justice cannot be dispensed in any cookie-cutter method. Each case is unique.
 
Our community’s discussion about criminal justice reform and how to address the multiple issues of the day…from the proper use of bonds to how we consider juveniles…will continue to be challenges which we welcome participating in and fully discussing from our perspective as Judges. 
 
New solutions will come. Our city is not lacking for talent. The quality of people who are applying to be public defenders and to work with our new District Attorney is encouraging. They provide a fresh perspective and help to shape the conversation surrounding the evolving complexities of our criminal justice system.
 
Let’s look back at the last 12 months, let’s all examine the lessons we have learned, not just as public servants but as members of a vibrant and unique community, interdependent on our mutual well-being, and welcome the work ahead. 
 
There is much to be done.  |

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|  Call (504) 897-6110 for more information.
Court information: criminalcourt.org  |

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|  Copyright © 2021 The Brylski Company, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
820 O’Keefe Ave., New Orleans, 70113


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