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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 8, 2026
Councilman King’s statement on the Louisiana Legislature’s Attempt to dismantle the Orleans Parish Courts
NEW ORLEANS, LA — As the Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee, and as an attorney who practices law in Orleans Parish, the proposed consolidation of courts and clerks of court in Orleans Parish presents substantial concerns, particularly given the lack of a clearly articulated implementation strategy. While the goal of improving efficiency is understandable, there has been little detail provided as to how the transition would occur—specifically, how judicial assignments would be restructured, how cases would be redistributed, and how continuity of operations would be maintained during the process.
This absence of planning is especially concerning given the interconnected nature of the court system with other critical functions, including law enforcement coordination, the District Attorney’s office, the Public Defender, and the Clerk of Court. Any disruption to court operations could have cascading effects on public safety, case processing timelines, and overall city governance.
From a logistical standpoint, consolidation would likely require significant capital investment, including the development or expansion of a centralized court facility capable of accommodating increased volume and integrated operations. Additional costs related to technology integration, staff retraining, and transitional inefficiencies must also be considered.
Without a comprehensive and transparent plan, this proposal introduces substantial risk—both operationally and financially—while offering uncertain benefits. A more measured approach focused on targeted reforms would better serve the needs of the community.
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Contact:
Kara Johnson
Director of Legal and Governmental Affairs
Kara.Johnson@nola.gov
504.658-1031
 New Orleans City Council
The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of the New Orleans city government. The Council considers and enacts all local laws that govern the City of New Orleans. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City, as recommended by the mayor, and continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The City Council also serves as the regulatory body for public utilities. It also reviews and has the final say on many land-use and zoning matters, and considers major economic development projects for the City. As the Board of Review for Orleans Parish, the Council reviews appeals of property tax assessments for real estate and certifies tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Other responsibilities of the Council include overseeing the operation of the public access television in Orleans Parish. Streaming video and video archives of the City Council's Regular and Committee meetings are available on the City Council website.
The City Council is comprised of five districts and Councilmembers-at-large: Council President and Councilmember-at-Large JP Morrell; Council Vice President and Councilmember-At-Large Matthew Willard; District "A" Councilmember Aimee McCarron; District "B" Councilmember Lesli D. Harris; District "C" Councilmember Freddie King III; District "D" Councilmember Eugene J. Green, Jr.; and District "E" Councilmember Jason Hughes.
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