New Orleans Judge Orders Suspects Freed

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 3-30-2007 | Michael Kunzelman

[blam]

New Orleans Judge Orders Suspects Freed

Friday March 30, 2007 10:46 PM

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A judge on Friday ordered the release of up to 42 criminal defendants, saying they aren't being adequately represented by the city's financially struggling indigent defenders office, but he immediately delayed the order to mid April.

It wasn't clear how many suspects would be released after April 18 if Orleans Criminal Court Judge Arthur Hunter's order stands.

The order would suspend their prosecution but not dismiss the charges against them.

Assistant District Attorney David Pipes said his office might appeal. He said most of the 42 defendants face drug charges, but several are charged with violent crimes, including armed robbery and sexual battery.

Hunter faulted the Louisiana Legislature for failing to adequately fund the Indigent Defenders Office in New Orleans.

``Hurricane Katrina is no longer an excuse and the state has a budget surplus. Indigent defense in New Orleans is unbelievable, unconstitutional, totally lacking the basic professional standards of legal representation and a mockery of what a criminal justice system should be in a western civilized nation,'' the judge wrote.

[rovenstinez]

A Hunky Dory situation that really adds ZIPPITY DOO DAH to the local police force trying to do the job of getting people off the streets that don't like their brothers. They need a whole NEW HOUSE of elected officials. I don't think it was KATRINA they did THEMSELVES worse.

[Dog Gone]

You gotta fear the cops, but the judges is your friend, bro...

[Wally_Kalbacken]

also see Fulton Co. GA.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

"Hurricane Katrina is no longer an excuse and the state has a budget surplus. Indigent defense in New Orleans is unbelievable, unconstitutional, totally lacking the basic professional standards of legal representation and a mockery of what a criminal justice system should be in a western civilized nation," the judge wrote.

The lawyers' passion to defend crimminals ends when the buck stops at the legislator. Lawyers are more interest in money than justice. Whatever happened to pro bono?

[sure_fine]

if only they could get another $14 - $20 $BILLION ... (like Reid and Pelosi promised in 'Pull Out' Bill .. GIVE to them, they would be alright

[DemEater]

"Whatever happened to pro bono?"

Public defenders don't make much money to begin with. This probably has to do with case load and numbers of available defenders who are in the city.

[gulfcoast6]

So, what is new in New Orleans, this is a regular thing for them...

[MarkT]

The judge freed them because in his opinion they were not represented properly...the law-abiding citizens of New Orleans are also not represented properly...the DA, Eddie Jordan, elected only because he was appointed US attorney by Clinton and is black, is also incomp0etant...isn't this just a case in which an incompetent DA prosecutes defendants who are also claiming to be incompetently represented? One incompetent DA versus one incompetent defense attorney...sounds fair to me.

[freemike]

This tells you what our nation would be like should we ever be completely taken over by liberals.

[AmishDude]

We are told that we have to pay law profs and judges big bucks because of the money that they can make on the (non-)market. I have a simple solution, impose a surtax on all legal fees to be paid to public defenders.

Voilà.

[knarf]

You have the right to remain silent,
Anything you say can and will be used against you,
If you can't afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you,
If we can't afford a lawyer, we'll let you go,
Butcha' gutta' honest injun promise you'll come back for trial.

[Gator113]

Good one.