As the presidential race gobbles up news time and headlines ahead of next month’s election, legal advocates in New Orleans want to highlight the importance of two local judicial races.
Three candidates are running for a post on the bench at Criminal District Court. Two others are competing for a seat on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal.
About 200 people turned up for a candidate forum held last night at the Seventh Ward Community Center. It was sponsored by several groups, including the League of Women Voters of New Orleans, and Court Watch NOLA.
Simone Levine is executive Director of Court Watch NOLA. She says judicial races have a major impact on the community.
“They’re the main deciding agents that are supposed to be making our system actually run smoother, run better and run more fair – toward victims, toward defendants, constitutionally. And criminal court section D hears likely over a thousand cases in a year.”
Candidates in both races suggested ways to make the courts more efficient and transparent. Early voting starts Oct. 25 for the Nov. 8 election.
