Louisiana Attorney General Files Legal Brief in Response to Federal Judge’s Attempt to Take Authority from Local Leaders

Louisiana - Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed a legal brief in response to a federal judge's attempt to take authority from local leaders.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has submitted a legal brief in support of the City of New Orleans in an issue relating to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) consent decree, in response to a federal judge's latest attempt to take authority from local leaders in our state.

Judge Susie Morgan attempted, over the express opposition of City authorities and without the authority to do so, to compel various local officials to appear in her courtroom to make public statements about the consent judgment and other policing concerns not covered by the judgment. In response, the City of New Orleans petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit last week for a writ of mandamus, an extraordinary appellate procedure warranted only when it is believed that a trial judge has made a severe error. The Fifth Circuit suspended the appearances late Friday until it could issue an order addressing the mandamus motion.

On April 10, Attorney General Landry argued in a legal brief that Judge Morgan abused her authority under the NOPD consent judgment, a failed federal decree that threatens our state's sovereign right to decide how to structure government and provide for the safety of its citizens and their property within the City of New Orleans' borders.

“For seven years, I have said this consent decree needs to end. It has done nothing but handcuff cops instead of criminals. Federal judges have no business running police departments; and when they do, this is what happens,” said Attorney General Landry.

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