Who We Are
Statement on Demands by Inhabitants of OJC
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 much work to do before we can call our criminal legal system fair, just, and equitable. Much more needs to be done to make OJC constitutional, safe, and humane for the people who are detained there and held in the Sheriff's custody. Access to court, legal counsel, exercise, reading materials, and hygiene resources are the basic rights of all people who are incarcerated.
Our clients who are unable to afford their freedom, must have their safety acknowledged and prioritized, and they should be treated with basic human dignity while they remain in the care of the Sheriff. We urge the Sheriff to address their concerns and we look forward to working together to ensure the needs of all New Orleanians held at OJC are met in a safe, fair, and transparent manner.
Chief Defender Derwyn Bunton to Step Down in the Fall
New Orleans – Derwyn Bunton will be stepping down as Chief District Defender for New Orleans. Bunton announced he is stepping down later this year in a meeting with OPD staff, and in conversation with Michael Ginart, Chairperson of the Louisiana Public Defender Board and Rémy Starns, State Public Defender. Bunton has served as Chief Defender for 13 years, taking over leadership in 2009, following significant statewide reforms in public defense and a complete reformation of OPD post-Katrina. Bunton leaves to become Chief Legal Officer for the Southern Poverty Law Center.
OPD's Mental Health Unit Director Barksdale Hortenstine, Jr. Named CityBusiness Leader in Law
New Orleans, LA – The Orleans Public Defenders (OPD) is proud to announce the selection of Barksdale Hortenstine, Jr. as a recipient of the 2022 CityBusiness Leader in Law. Hortenstine is the Director of OPD’s Mental Health Unit, and as 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.
OPD Statement on Recent Deaths in Jail and the Abrupt Court Closures
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 one day in jail is disruptive and traumatizing.
Legendary New Orleans Musician Walter Wolfman Washington Dedicates Show to OPD and Right to Counsel
New Orleans, LA - Legendary New Orleans blues musician Walter Wolfman Washington will join forces to present New Orleans’ Concerts for Indigent Defense March 30, 2022 at 9 pm at d.b.a. on Frenchman Street. The event follows Gideon Day on March 18, the anniversary of the Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel, and is the first in a yearlong, nationwide celebration of the upcoming 60th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright in 2023. It also recognizes and honors OPD’s continued fight for dignity, justice and hope in New Orleans’ criminal legal system. The concert will also be livestreamed.
OPD Chosen for Black Public Defender Association's Community Engagement Fellowship
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 in Oakland, CA, the Nashville Metropolitan Public Defender's Office, and the Legal Aid Society in New York.
The BPDA Community Engagement Fellowship is a 12-week summer program that pairs Black undergraduate and graduate HBCU students, who aspire to do racial equity and community defense work, with public defender offices. This internship opportunity will offer hands-on lessons about addressing systemic issues of racism that plague the legal system while inspiring young people to achieve their educational goals and consider careers in public defense.
"We are thrilled and honored to be chosen for the fellowship and to be in the company of some extraordinary fighters for justice. There is much work to be done at the local and state level, in both policy and practice, to write the sins of the past and ensure they do not follow us into the future.
Building a pipeline of Black defenders is one of BPDA’s core pillars. BPDA exists to support all Black defenders, including attorneys, paralegals, social workers, mitigation specialists, investigators, and client advocates. The BPDA Community Engagement Fellowship is open to students seeking careers in all areas of public defense. The BPDA Community Engagement Fellowship also provides an opportunity for four public defender offices access to a fully paid full-time intern for the summer at little to no cost to them. The goal is for public defender offices to be able to implement a project or program that expands their outreach to the communities they serve in an effort to promote racial equity.
