DA: Shifting misdemeanors helped justice if not budgets
Business & Economy, Crime & Safety, Politics, Recovery
August 2nd, 2012
Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro on Wednesday defended his decision last year to shift the prosecution of misdemeanor charges from criminal to municipal court, saying it has allowed his office to focus on more serious cases.
That move has created budgetary concerns for Councilwoman Susan Guidry, a co-chairwoman of the City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee.
Criminal District Court Chief Judge Camille Buras, whose colleagues might be expected to benefit from the shift, instead amplified Guidry’s concerns Wednesday during a joint meeting of the council’s Criminal Justice and Budget committees.
Guidry asked why money hasn’t been moved to Municipal Court,…
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