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CONTACT PERSON:
VALERIE WILLARD
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
(504) 310-2590
| JUNE
29, 2006 |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. announced today the
Court’s adoption of an Emergency Pro Bono Criminal Legal
Assistance Rule for Orleans Parish. The new rule was recommended
by Frank X. Neuner, Jr., Immediate Past President of the Louisiana
State Bar Association. The rule will allow qualified out-of-state
attorneys, working under the supervision of Louisiana-licensed
attorneys, to assist in the representation of indigent defendants
if the criminal charge arises out of or relates to an act
which is alleged to have occurred in Orleans Parish. The services
of the approved out-of-state attorney must be requested by
the Orleans Parish Indigent Defender Board or its Chief Indigent
Defender.
According to Chief Justice Calogero, “The problems faced
by indigent defendants in procuring representation following
the devastation of Hurricane Katrina has been well documented.
The Court is hopeful this new rule provides relief to the
over-burdened Orleans Parish indigent defender system.”
The
Emergency Pro Bono Criminal Legal Assistance Rule is the
third pro bono legal assistance rule adopted by the Court
at the request of the Bar Association. In October, 2005, the
Court enacted its original Emergency Pro Bono Civil Legal
Assistance Rule. The rule allows qualified out-of-state
lawyers to provide limited pro bono legal assistance concerning
issues arising out of Hurricanes Katrina or Rita and their
aftermath. This rule generally allows qualified attorneys
to provide legal assistance over the telephone to victims
of the hurricanes. Thereafter, in early 2006, the Court passed
a Supplemental
Emergency Pro Bono Civil Legal Assistance Rule that allows
qualified, non-admitted lawyers to provide limited in-court
civil representation to poor clients under the close supervision
of Louisiana lawyers affiliated with six Louisiana legal service
providers/pro bono organizations. Out-of-state attorneys who
wish to provide pro bono legal services pursuant to any of
these rules must first apply and have their qualifications
reviewed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
The original Pro Bono Civil Legal Assistance Rule terminates
at the end of August. The Supplemental Emergency Pro Bono
Civil Legal Assistance Rule terminates on January 19, 2007.
The new, third Emergency Pro Bono Criminal Legal Assistance
Rule for Orleans Parish is effective through June 15, 2007.
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