• Links
• The Reach
  Current Newsletter Archive
• Resources
  Consequences of a Conviction Bond Information Street Law Expungement
• Clients and Community
• About Us
  History Vision and Mission Staff
• Home

Excerpt from “A young man's suffering in the justice system finds relief”

“He was beaten routinely. His mental disability and young age no doubt contributed to the difficulties he experienced while imprisoned in Orleans Parish Prison, and his face reflected new marks each time members of his legal team visited him. For this young man, who just wanted to go home in time to begin the new school year, the Orleans Public Defenders (OPD) was his last hope for ending his nightmarish incarceration.

Held for almost a month on charges that were so minor they ended up transferred to municipal court, the young man could not give Lauren Anderson, the law clerk assigned to his case, his home address and he only knew his mother’s first name. Lauren, a 3rd year law student at LSU, needed the information to find out if there was anyone to pay his bond. When describing him to me later, Lauren said that he was obviously terrified and his jaw had been wired shut so he could not speak clearly. She wanted to get him out as soon as possible to stop the abuse. Lauren was able to find an address for his mother but a quick check on a map placed the house in the middle of a canal in the 9th Ward. She and another law clerk, Kasey Robinson, went door to door to find his mother and, when she did, the situation did not look good. His mother was unable to post a bond for her son because she had to buy school uniforms for his younger brothers and sisters…”

--To read more of this story by Gina Womack, Executive Director of Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children, please see the full piece here.

Volunteers Support Fairness in New Orleans

This summer, the Orleans Public Defenders welcomed more than 50 law clerks to its offices. Law clerks work long and hard to help expand the ability of the OPD to serve its clients and the community. Routinely working 50 hour weeks, they work directly with attorneys, clients, and client families. They prepare motions, do research, and interview clients and families to help ensure fairness in our justice system. As Zachary Orjuela, one of the clerks put it, “We don’t have the skill level of an experienced attorney, but the tasks we complete are important and allow full time staff to focus on the more difficult work that our justice system demands.”

Clerks and other volunteers come to New Orleans because of a commitment to fairness and justice. Law clerks talk about working with clients as the most valuable part of their experience. One clerk, Lauren Anders said of her experience, “Having the time to track down a witness who can verify innocence might be the difference between someone clogging up the system by staying in jail and that same person going home to his family.”

Law clerks at the Orleans Public Defenders come with their own funding. Their universities or other institutes pay for them to work in and experience New Orleans. “I have a grant from NYU that pays for housing… and eating out,” said Sharon McDonald. The economic benefit of volunteers to New Orleans extends beyond the services they provide to organizations because they often take advantage of the variety of tourist experiences available.

For more information about working as a law clerk at OPD, please contact

Resource Directories help OPD and Others Serve

Prompted by the growing popularity of its published resource directory, the Orleans Public Defenders has brought together a variety of organizations to produce a comprehensive directory to serve the community. This new directory will make everyone more efficient and allow for better access to resources.

The partnership created by OPD is unique. Unified Nonprofits and ReConnect, Nola have joined in the effort to build community access to resources. ReConnect, Nola will host a new website designed to keep the community informed about resources that are available to individuals. Unified Nonprofits has provided valuable insight into current resource databases available so that this new partnership can help expand those efforts.

“We are certain that this joint effort will help our clients gain much needed access to services they need. We’re excited that our own efforts have been recognized in the community and look forward to continuing our work with ReConnect and UNP,” said Chief District Defender, Derwyn Bunton of the project.

For more information about this and other community outreach efforts of OPD, please contact

Organization Spotlight: ReConnect, Nola

ReConnect Nola, is a new coalition organized by established community entertainers and activists that is leading the fight to reduce violence among New Orleans young people. Members of the group include well known radio and dance DJ’s, rap and bounce artists, community activists, first responders and others already involved with young people in the city. While individual members are not new to these efforts, a group with this kind of diverse membership is unique.

To achieve its goals, ReConnect will host a series of free informational and entertainment summits three times each year--Fall, Spring and Summer--to reconnect youngsters with their parents and caregivers, as well as reconnect families with the organizations and agencies offering the services and support which will improve the quality of life for all New Orleanians. Recently, ReConnect hosted a City-wide picnic to further their objectives and launch the organization.

“New Orleans has a rich tradition that all of the leaders behind Reconnect participate in,” said Wild Wayne, who chairs the Board of Reconnect. “We know how to party, listen to good music, and spend time with each other in positive ways. We just want to combine our festival culture with providing resources to the communities that need it most.”

• Facebook
• Press Information
• Conflict Panel
• Employment Opportunities
• Contact Us