Orleans Public Defenders

Who We Are

Joint Statement on Netflix Series Jailbirds

: News; 27 September 2021

Netflix recently released the trailer for the new season of Jailbirds, set in the Orleans Justice Center.

Together with The Promise of Justice Initiative, Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition and Voice of the Experienced, we released the following statement.

The Lens: After Ida, New Orleans Criminal Justice System Faces New Challenges

: News; 22 September 2021

With thousands of criminal cases already backlogged due to COVID-related court delays and jury trials put on hold for over a year, the criminal justice system in New Orleans now faces a whole new set of challenges and uncertainties after Hurricane Ida devastated the city on Sunday — including tearing off portions of the roof of Municipal and Traffic Court.

Meanwhile, conditions at a number of local jails in parishes that were severely impacted by the storm remain a question.

Prior to Ida’s arrival on Sunday afternoon, around 2,500 people incarcerated at local jails in the way of the storm were transferred to state prisons and other jails throughout the state. Among them were hundreds of detainees awaiting trial in New Orleans, nearly all of whom were transferred several hours away to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.

Hurricane Ida Relief and Client Support

: News; 07 September 2021

photo: WDSU

Hurricane Ida made landfall on the Louisiana coast last week on August 29 as a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane. The destruction, flooding, and power outages have been widespread and severe.

Hurricane Ida's destruction has exponentially increased the needs for many of our clients and community. Food, water, gas and basic necessities are extremely limited and even more difficult to obtain. Families already reeling from the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have experienced another devastating hurdle.

For the next few weeks, we are directing our Client Welfare Fund to disaster relief and support the immediate needs of our clients. Donations will go to food, water, gas and critical supplies for our clients as they navigate the difficult post-disaster landscape, begin rebuilding and pick up the pieces left by Ida.

While disasters like Hurricanes Ida and Katrina wreaked havoc on New Orleans and the surrounding communities, they also showed the immense power of community and mutual aid. People have already come together to support their neighbors. We hope to do the same.

Donations can be made directly through our Client Welfare Fund. Please indicate "Hurricane Ida" in the note.

The support of our community, near and far, is immense and we are extraordinarily grateful.

Hurricane Ida Closures + Emergency Hotline

: News; 07 September 2021

Hurricane Ida forced the closure of OPD offices, as well as all Orleans Parish courts.

The Louisiana Supreme Court issued emergency suspension to case time limitations. Orleans Parish Criminal District Court announced closures through September 19, 2021. OPD is working with Magistrate Court for emergency bond hearings in the meantime.

The Municipal and Traffic Court building suffered severe damage from the storm. Reopening and court proceedings have yet to be announced. As power is reestablished and damage assessed, updates to court openings can be found at www.criminalcourt.org.

In the meantime, we have created an emergency hotline for questions regarding case statuses, where loved ones are located, and what's to come in the next weeks. The hotline is staffed from 9am - 5pm each day for the next week. Anyone can call 702-670-1193.

OPD reopening announcements will be posted on the website and social media in the coming week.

Care, Not Cages: A Big Win for Criminal Justice Reform

: News; 17 July 2021

Yesterday was a big day in New Orleans for advocates of criminal justice and mental healthcare reform, especially the Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition (OPPRC). A crowd of community advocates spoke in opposition to the construction of a new Phase III jail for inmates with mental health problems at the city council meeting.

Full article from Big Easy Magazine here.

OPD Staff Attorney Meg Garvey Named CityBusiness Leader in Law

: News; 16 July 2021

OPD is proud to announce the selection of Staff Attorney Meghan Garvey as a recipient of the 2021 CityBusiness Leader in Law. Garvey, one of two court-appointed honorees, is among 50 of New Orleans’ top legal professionals recognized for moving the legal community forward with energy, innovative ideas, achievements and a commitment to excellence.