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Antigravity Magazine: Looking for Justice at Tulane and Broad
Part three of the ongoing Antigravity Magazine series Looking for Justice at Tulane and Broad, features Staff Attorney Robert McKnight on warrants and attachments, the community effort to resolve them, as well as the modern day debtors' prison impacting so many and the fight to end it.
"I have people who look me in the eyes and say, 'Mr. McKnight, I’m gonna pay for myself to get out of jail, but how will I pay my light, gas, and water? How do I put food on my table? How would I get diapers for my child? How do I get bus fare to and from?' These are decisions no human being should have to be faced with."
To read the full interview, as well as parts 1 and 2, visit Antigravity Magazine.
Antigravity Magazine: Looking for Justice at Tulane and Broad
Part four of the ongoing Antigravity Magazine series Looking for Justice at Tulane and Broad, features Bond Attorney and veteran Tulane and Broad public defender, Meg Garvey on the importance of Magistrate Court, the often overlooked impact that initial court hearing can have to the outcome of a case and the changes she's seen over the last decade.
"Part of the reason is that we have different people working there, but I also think it’s just been years and years of people like me and my colleagues grinding them down and saying: no, we’re going to keep showing up every day and demand that you do things according to the law. Over and over again. 365 days a year, for years, is really what that took."
To read the full interview, as well as parts 1, 2 and 3, visit Antigravity Magazine.
OPD Brings Financial Literacy Workshop This Fall
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
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
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
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.
