Who We Are
Unanimous Juries and Your Vote: What Your Need to Know
On November 6, Louisiana voters will have the opportunity to move toward a more just justice system by abolishing the nonunanimous jury statute.
Louisiana is one of just two states that doesn't require a unanimous jury verdict for felony convictions and the only state to sentence someone to life without the possibility of parole with just a 10-2 jury verdict.
What does this mean? The district attorney doesn't need to convice all 12 jurors that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Even if one or two jurors have doubts, or believe the person is innocent, he or she can still be found guilty. This is not justice.
OPD Launches Community Know Your Rights Series
Together with the Juror Project and New Orleans Councilmember Jason Williams, OPD has launched a Know Your Rights Community Forum series. Through presentation, discussion and an active role-playing scenario, the series will outline the criminal justice system and people's rights within it from stop and search, to arrest and first appearance.
The event is Friday, October 19, from 6 - 7:30 pm at Dillard University's Georges Auditorium and hosted by District D Councilmember Jared Brossett and Dillard's Housing, Health and Community Resources Fair.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information: visit the Facebook event page.
Friday's event is the first in an ongoing series throughout New Orleans. Stay tuned for future dates.
If you'd like to host a Know Your Rights event with your organization or community, please reach out to Lindsey Hortenstine, .
Women with a Vision and Southerners on New Ground Honored with Clyde Merritt Award
Two weeks ago, OPD honored several community organizations with our highest honor, the Clyde Merritt Award, for their extraordinary work to free poor people held pretrial who can't afford their bonds. Women with a Vision and Southerners on New Ground have made a significant impact on OPD clients, their families and the New Orleans communities.
“Community bail funds represent the power citizens have to save one another from an unjust, unfair and unequal money bail system and the New Orleans community has stood up ready to advocate for its most vulnerable and disenfranchised,” said Chief Defender Derwyn Bunton. “These organizations have affected numerous lives so far. We know when people are out of jail, they can better help their case, are able to maintain their jobs, homes, stay with their families and children, remain connected to their community, and have an exponentially greater chance to succeed.”
Chief Defender Derwyn Bunton once again presented the awards during the Ben Levick Sullivan Investigator Fellowship fundraiser. The fellowship, now in its fourth year, quickly become an integral part in fulfilling OPD’s mission to provide zealous, client-centered representation. The fellowship was established in the memory of Ben Sullivan and his incredible passion and dedication for public defense. Ben devoted himself to those in need, sought the truth and endlessly fought for justice.
Established in 2012 to honor one of the stalwart advocates for public defense, Clyde Merritt, the Clyde Merritt Award recognizes extraordinary commitment and fight for the cause of public defense in New Orleans.
OPD Honors Jones Walker Partners Mark Cunningham and Mike Magner with 2017 Clyde Merritt Award
OPD recently honored Jones Walker partners Mark Cunningham and Mike Magner for their dogged and zealous pro bono representation of former OPD investigator Taryn Blume. The award recognizes extraordinary commitment and fight for public defense in New Orleans, and both Mark and Mike have long been supporters of OPD.
“The zealous representation by Mark and Mike has allowed me to move forward with my life. Their dedication to not only my case, but our entire office, truly demonstrates their commitment to OPD, our clients, and the work we’re doing for justice,” said Taryn Blume during the award presentation.
Chief Defender Derwyn Bunton once again presented the awards during the Ben Levick Sullivan Investigator Fellowship fundraiser. The fellowship, now in its third year, has proven to be a success and an integral part in fulfilling OPD’s mission to provide zealous, client-centered representation. The fellowship was established in the memory of Ben Sullivan and his incredible passion and dedication for public defense. Ben devoted himself to those in need, sought the truth and endlessly fought for justice.
Established in 2012 to honor one of the stalwart advocates for public defense, Clyde Merritt, the Clyde Merritt Award recognizes commitment and fight for the cause of public defense in New Orleans.
60 Minutes: Inside NOLA public defenders' decision to refuse felony cases
"Here, we have a criminal justice system, stories of innocence throughout and profound. And we still haven't had the urgency that I think we need to reform it so that we don't destroy lives. Because make no mistake, we're destroying lives. And we will no longer be complicit in that kind of injustice."
- OPD Chief Defender Derwyn Bunton, talks to 60 Minutes' Anderson Cooper about the injustices of our criminal justice system and the chronic underfunding of public defense in Louisiana.
Watch the full segment here.
ACLU Lawsuit a Chance for Reform
Louisiana’s user-pay criminal justice system is inadequate, unstable and unreliable. Given the failings of our system, the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on January 14, 2016 comes as no surprise. The resource struggles of the Orleans Public Defenders Office (OPD) are evidence of how the user-pay system fails to protect poor citizens in our courts and fails to guarantee fairness in our criminal justice system.
Any kindergartner looking at our criminal justice system – particularly our system of public defense – can see it is unfair. While this lawsuit is not necessarily welcomed, OPD welcomes reform. It is our hope this lawsuit leads to lasting reform and a more fair, more just criminal justice system. We welcome the opportunity to have a real, engaged discussion on public defense funding reform moving forward.
Read more on the lawsuit at The New Orleans Advocate.
