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Dignity. Justice. Hope.
We fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation,
reforming the system and partnering with the community.
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We Defend
We zealously defend our clients, their right to equal justice, and their dignity to ensure fairness from the moment they are arrested. A dedicated team works together with our clients to build a meaningful defense for their individual needs and wishes.
We Advocate
Our social workers and client advocates provide individualized mitigation plans, provide language access, advocate for incarceration alternatives, and work to keep our clients in their jobs and homes – keeping families together.
We Support
By connecting clients to critical services such as housing, job placement, substance abuse, medical and mental health treatment, we work for a positive future for our clients while minimizing the collateral effects to their families and community.
We Reform
New Orleans remains one of the most incarcerated places on Earth. Injustice, discrimination, and inequality loom large in our criminal justice system. We partner with our community and other stakeholders to combat these injustices, reform our criminal justice system, and create a supportive and healthy community.
85% of people going through the criminal justice system will need a public defender.
While presumed innocent, nearly 2/3 remain jailed because they can’t afford their bond. OPD protects innocence, holds power accountable, and fights for equity in our justice system. We work for healthier, stronger communities. Help us continue to make a difference.
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The recent WWLTV story highlighting racial hate speech by a former assistant district attorney while he was a prosecutor in New Orleans is shocking an...
The Orleans Public Defenders will hold a public hearing on the FY 2025 proposed budget.
June 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
OPD Conference Room2601 Tu...
**MEDIA ADVISORY**
The State of Public Defense During a Crime-Focused Election Year
On Gideon Day, public defense chiefs from across the U.S. will...
New Orleans - In 2007, almost 100 bi-partisan stakeholders worked to create sweeping change and establish meaningful constitutional representation f...
New Orleans – The Orleans Public Defenders is thrilled to announce the appointment of Deputy Chief Defender Danny Engelberg as the next Chief Defend...
The harms of the criminal legal system are well known; the ineffectiveness of a strictly punitive approach toward juvenile crime even more so. Support...
August 15, 2022 - The demands recently made by the inhabitants of the Orleans Justice Center cement that we as leaders and as a community have mu...
New Orleans – Derwyn Bunton will be stepping down as Chief District Defender for New Orleans. Bunton announced he is stepping down later this year i...
New Orleans, LA – The Orleans Public Defenders (OPD) is proud to announce the selection of Barksdale Hortenstine, Jr. as a recipient of the 2022 CityB...
We are saddened by the recent deaths of our community members in the jail and our thoughts are with their families and communities. Spending just on...
New Orleans, LA - Legendary New Orleans blues musician Walter Wolfman Washington will join forces to present New Orleans’ Concerts for Indigent Defe...
OPD was recently chosen as one of four sites to hos the summer, 12-week Community Engagement Fellowship. OPD joins the Alameda County Public Defenders...
- Orleans Public Defenders
- 2601 Tulane Avenue
- Suite 700
- New Orleans, LA 70119
- Tel: (504) 821-8101
- Fax: (504) 821-5285
