Court Watch NOLA 2015 2016 The Court Watch

Court Watch NOLA 2015 -2016

The Court Watch Team

In 2016, in addition to Criminal District and Magistrate Courts, CWN will monitor Municipal Courts.

The Importance of Community Education, Transparency, and Efficiency

High Profile Legal Cases • Fines & Fees Litigation, Clerk’s Lawsuit • Criminal cases against criminal justice officials: Desmond Pratt, Ananie Mitchell, Wardell Johnson, Gregory Degruy, Michael Thomassie • High Profile cases in CDC: George Toca, Jerome Morgan, Robert Jones • Brianna Allen & Shawanna Pierce case; Rico Newman case • Rev. Kevin Boyd; Willie Littleton

2015 Felony Sentencing Felony Offense Statutory Limit on sentencing Avg. Sentence in Orleans Criminal District Court in 2015 No. of Criminal Charges Sentenced in 2015 2 nd degree rape Min: 5 years, Max: 40 years 31. 5 years 12 Armed Robbery Min: 10 years, Max: 99 years 14. 4 years 16 Armed Robbery with a Firearm Min: 15 years, Max: 104 years 21. 5 years 36 Domestic Abuse Battery Min: 30 days, Max: 50 years 5. 6 months 78 Distribution of marijuana or possession of marijuana with intent to distribute Min: 5 years, Max: 30 years 7. 8 years 121 Distribution of cocaine or Min: 2 years, Max: 30 possession of cocaine with years intent to distribute 9. 3 years 106

2015 Crime Victims in Orleans Parish [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTAGE] [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTAGE]

2015 Arrestees in Orleans Parish ASIAN OTHER 0% 0% [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTA GE] [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTA [CATEGORY GE]NAME] [PERCENTA GE]

The Price of Pre-trial Release Over $25, 000 Bond 22% $10, 001 - $25, 000 Bond 24% Released [PERCENTAGE] $2, 500 or Less Bail or Bond 8% 0% [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTAGE]

According to information provided by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Coordination: FAILURE TO APPEAR 22% 78% 22% of Defendants failed to appear for a court date in the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court in 2015 78% of Defendants appeared for court dates as scheduled in the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court in 2015

AMOUNT OF TIME DEFENDANTS SPENT IN JAIL BEFORE BONDING OUT IN 2015 [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTAGE]

OPDA Average Rating ADA Respect toward all parties 4. 9 Average Rating of ADA Preparedness 4. 7 4. 8 4. 5 4. 7 4. 6 4. 3 4. 5 4. 1 4. 4 4. 3 3. 9 4. 2 3. 7 4. 1 ADAs ADAs ADAs in F in E in H in B in J in A in G in I in C in L in D in K ADAs in ADAs in ADAs in J F B I E H D L G A C K

Defense Avg. monthly rating of preparedness on 1 -5 scale -June: announcement of austerity plan (4. 30 rating) -July: hiring freeze (4. 15) -November: hearing before Judge Hunter (4. 03) -December: announcement that OPD would stop taking cases (3. 94)

CDC Judges Average Number of Sidebars Frequency of Sidebars with No Reason Explained on the Record per Observation Section L- Ziblich Section D- Ad Hoc Judges Section C- Willard Pittman Section K- Hunter Buras Section H- Buras Section A- White 40. 85% 44. 59% Section D 46. 15% Williams 47. 19% Section I- Herman Flemings-Davillier 49. 32% Section G- Williams Ziblich 50. 00% Section E- Landrum Johnson Section B- Flemings- Derbigny 60. 00% White 60. 94% Davillier Section F- Pittman Herman Section J- Derbigny Landrum-Johnson 0 1 2 2015 3 2014 4 5 6 7 8 9 63. 64% 76. 32% Willard 82. 05% Hunter 0. 00% 88. 68% 50. 00% 100. 00%

OPSO Continuances as a result of defendants not being produced OPSO Deputies Alertness& Control 160 140 60% 120 70% 100 60% 62% 50% 80 40% 60 30% 15 c. De 5 15 v. No t-1 Oc 5 15 p. Se g 1 Au l-1 Ju n ay -1 5 M r-1 Ap -1 ar M b. Fe n. Ja 5 0% 5 0 5 10% 5 20 15 20% 15 40 Always Stay Alert & Pay Attention Always Maintain Control of Courtroom

Law Enforcement Waiting in Court vs. Failing to appear Law Enforcement testimony 2014 2015 75. 81% 800 600 827 217 70. 34% 69. 32% 400 65. 74% 200 0 No. of Law Enforcement Officers Observed Waiting to Testify No. of Continuances Due to Unavailable Law Enforcement Witnesses Did Officers Clearly Answer Questions Did Officers Appear Prepared to Testify

Recommendations • Orleans Parish District Attorney • Judges • Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office • The Clerk of Court • The Judicial Administrator

Judicial Debates, Thursday Oct. 13 th 6 pm 7 th Ward Community Center • National Council of Jewish Women • National Coalition of 100 Black Women • League of Women Voters • Voice of the Ex Offender • Urban League • Court Watch NOLA • Citizens for 1

What to Look for in the Future… Criminal District Court Reports • Do our juries reflect our communities, is the jury exclusion process transparent • Does law enforcement testimony sound truthful and informed • How often is hard or scientific evidence used in felony criminal cases Magistrate Court Reports • What factors affect the cost of bail and bond Municipal Court Reports