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CONTACT PERSON: ROBERT GUNN
(504) 310-2588
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SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice
Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. announced today that because of damage
caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to south Louisiana,
the Supreme Court will remain closed through October 25, 2005,
but will reopen at its French Quarter location as soon as
practical. According to Chief Justice Calogero, the Courthouse
at 400 Royal Street in New Orleans sustained minimal damage
from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While the courthouse, as
with most French Quarter property, did not receive flood waters,
the basement in the building did take on some water, and some
damage was caused by a loss of power to the pumps in the basement
and the rising water table beneath the building. That minor
amount of water has been pumped out of the basement and some
records have been removed for preservation. Cleaning and examination
of mechanical and electrical equipment is being overseen by
the State’s Division of Administration and should be
completed in the near future. Chief Justice Calogero stated,
“ Our employees will return to the courthouse and we
will be open for business as soon as we have been assured
that it is safe to do so. I look forward to calling Court
to order once again at 400 Royal Street.”
Today’s court closure Order, regarding suspension
of filings in the Louisiana Supreme Court, extends a previous
Order of September 1, 2005, which had closed the Supreme
Court until September 30, 2005. While the Supreme Court has
suspended the usual processing of filings, as well as consideration
of writ applications and entertaining oral arguments, through
October 25, 2005, the Supreme Court’s Justices, Judicial
Administrator, Clerk of Court, and supervisory personnel have
been working since Hurricane Katrina at its temporary location
at the First Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge. The Court
has been handling administrative matters and offering assistance
to local courts affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in
their efforts to return to normal operations. Chief Justice
Calogero thanked the Justices and Supreme Court personnel
who have been working diligently since Hurricane Katrina,
especially Justice Kitty Kimball who, at his request, has
coordinated the Court’s response to the disaster and
assistance to local courts.
A copy of the Court’s Order, as well as other Louisiana
Supreme Court orders and information, can be found at the
Supreme Court website, www.lasc.org.
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