The Center for Court Innovation’s recent article on improving misdemeanor court practices is a good starting point for reforming New Orleans’ own Municipal Court. Step one: EXPAND pretrial services – whereas some Judges and bail bondsmen have suggested abolishing New Orleans Pretrial Services. Other key steps: using more community service punishments rather than expensive and ineffective incarceration, better IT, and a greater focus on procedural justice, a concept near and dear to Court Watch NOLA. Let’s hope our own Municipal Court administrators and Judges take a look at this.
