Orleans Public Defenders

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Who We Are

OPD Brings Financial Literacy Workshop This Fall

: News; 30 August 2019

In an effort to meet more needs of our clients and community, OPD partnered with Flyte Coaching for a financial literacy workshop series highlighting everything from basic banking and budgeting to managing court fees, job access, housing access and tenants’ rights and planning for retirement.

Beginning Wednesday, September 4, the workshops will be held each Wednesday for 10 weeks at the Rosa F. Keller Library at 4300 S. Broad Avenue. There will be morning and evening sessions. The workshops are free and open to the public.

The workshops are designed for the general community, but especially those just entering the workforce and those returning from incarceration. Professional financial advisors and coaches will lead each session designed to educate and empower individuals, families, businesses, throughout the city.

Additionally, participation in the program will be an accepted community service option by the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court judges.

Marching Toward Reform in New Orleans: 70 Million Podcast

: News; 16 July 2019

For years, to fund itself, New Orleans’ criminal legal system has relied on bail, fines and fees levied on the city’s poorest. But there are signs of change on the horizon, with a groundswell of community action and two landmark federal rulings in the last year. Tune in to reporter Eve Abrams as she tells the story of just one of our clients faced with bail he couldn't afford and the community bail funds stepping up to help.

Information for Clients Represented by Ashley Crawford

: News; 15 July 2019

Following the situation involving Ashley Crawford, OPD has begun reassigning all current clients to other attorneys within the office. Clients should receive information as to their new attorney very soon.

For those clients previously represented by Ms. Crawford on cases in Criminal District Court in Orleans Parish, there are a few things to note:

Ms. Crawford’s situation does not automatically invalidate the outcomes of cases represented by her. If you are satisfied with the outcome of your case, you do not need to take any further action in your matter.

However, if you would like to discuss the representation received and available options, please visit our office at 2601 Tulane Ave., 7th floor, or call the main number at 504-821-8101 to schedule an appointment or phone call with either Danny Engelberg, Chief of Trials, or Colin Reingold, Litigation Director and Senior Counsel.

We sincerely apologize for any negative consequences clients may have experienced as a result. Please know we remain committed to our mission to zealously fight for our clients and partner with our community.

Orleans Public Defenders statement on allegations against Ashley Crawford

: News; 25 June 2019

New Orleans, LA – The recent discovery of former Staff Attorney Ashley Crawford’s apparent ineligibility to practice law in Louisiana prompted swift and decisive action to gain as much information as possible.

Ms. Crawford joined our office last October and all documentation we received upon her hiring indicated she was barred and in good standing. We check yearly to ensure our attorney staff remain in good standing and it was those administrative controls that revealed problems with her eligibility. We acted swiftly to make all necessary notifications in accordance with our ethical, professional, and legal obligations. As of Tuesday morning, Ms. Crawford’s employment with OPD has been terminated.

We want to reassure our clients and our community we are committed to our mission: to fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation, reforming the system and partnering with community.

Orleans Public Defenders to begin wait-listing conflict case assignments

: News; 06 May 2019

Funding Shortfalls Once Again Cause Service Restrictions

New Orleans – The Orleans Public Defenders once again began waitlisting conflict cases – cases where ethics rules prevent OPD’s main office from representing someone – effective last Friday, May 3, 2019 due to continued funding shortfalls and the unsustainable lack of necessary resources. Contract conflict panel contracts will no longer be issued to contract attorneys representing OPD cases in criminal and juvenile court. Chief Defender Derwyn Bunton alerted judges and the Mayor’s office last week, as well as announced in a letter to all criminal legal system stakeholders, that OPD can no longer continue the current pace of representation under continued chronic underfunding of public defense.

News of service restrictions and the fallout of Louisiana’s user pay system – is not new. OPD instituted full service restrictions twice in the last seven years, and Chief Defender Bunton made clear at the budget hearings last fall that OPD faced the same prospects unless a significant increase in funding occurred.

OPD honors VOTE’s Norris Henderson and Saints players Benjamin Watson and Demario Davis

: News; 29 April 2019

Annual Award Honors Commitment and Advocacy for Equal Justice in New Orleans

New Orleans – Last week, the Orleans Public Defenders (OPD) honored Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) Executive Director Norris Henderson, as well as New Orleans Saints players and Players Coalition members Benjamin Watson and Demario Davis, for their support of public defense, their fight for equal justice for poor people in New Orleans and their advocacy for criminal justice reform in Louisiana.

Norris Henderson has long led the fight for equity and reform in Louisiana, particularly for formerly incarcerated people and impacted communities. VOTE and Norris have been integral in many of the historic reforms in recent years, including the passage of the Justice Reinvestment package in the Louisiana legislature, the reestablishment of voting rights for formerly incarcerated people and the end to Jim Crow-era nonunanimous juries in Louisiana.