Judge halts cases over poor defense
From Times Wire Reports
An irate judge halted the prosecution of 42 criminal defendants, saying the underfunded public defender’s office in New Orleans is not providing adequate representation.
State Judge Arthur Hunter also ordered 16 of the defendants released from jail even though they have not made bail.
Hunter set a May 7 hearing for dozens of other defendants who he said are poor but cannot get adequate representation.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
