Councilmember Lesli Harris announced on April 8 her opposition to two bills in the Louisiana Legislature, SB217 and HB911, which would consolidate New Orleans’ civil, criminal, and juvenile courts into a single judicial district.
The proposed legislation represents the largest restructuring of New Orleans courts since 1879. Supporters say it aims to streamline court operations by eliminating judgeships and merging different court divisions. However, critics like Harris argue that the measures lack a clear plan for implementation or transition.
Harris, who has practiced law in New Orleans for twenty-four years, said: “I know what data driven reform looks like and this is not it. These bills have no implementation plan, no transition timeline, and no honest data behind them. What they do have is a clear target. Seven of thirteen judges on Criminal District Court are Black women. Twelve of eighteen on Civil District Court are Black women. Two of the four judges in Juvenile Court are Black women. These judges were elected by the people of this City and bring expertise to the bench. To eliminate their seats without justification and without a plan is not about efficiency. It is an attack on Black women in the judiciary, and I refuse to be silent about it.”
According to Harris, neither version of the bill provides details for managing ongoing cases or handling personnel changes during consolidation. She noted that Orleans Parish courts handle nearly 20,000 cases each year across criminal trials, civil litigation, adoptions, and juvenile proceedings.
Harris urged residents to contact their state legislators before the measures reach full House or Senate votes: “The jurists on these benches earned their seats. The voters made their choices. Baton Rouge should not get to take that away,” said Harris.
The debate over these proposals highlights broader questions about judicial representation and local control within Louisiana’s legal system.
