Jason Williams, the district attorney for Orleans, made a strong commitment to the New Orleans City Council on Tuesday. In the wake of a wave of violent crimes that has seen New Orleans’ year-to-date homicide list surpass its total for all of 2021, Williams stated that the bureau could buck the trend by significantly increasing funding to hire a group of attorneys specializing in homicide and manslaughter.
The next time I stand in front of this institution, we won’t be the nation’s homicide capital, according to Williams, if the city invests in a “elite” group of prosecutors who focus on serious offenses. Several council members applaud.
During a series of hearings involving various financial requests from the city’s criminal justice administration, the attorney general made his promise.
Williams has requested $11.9 million in city money, a 63 percent increase, for his office for the upcoming year. When additional revenue sources are considered, total funding will rise to $18.8 million.
Through 2023, proposed payroll expenses would total $8.9 million, an increase of more than $3 million from the budget for this year. The expansion will include cost-of-living adjustments for all employees as well as the hire of 17 extra as
Jason Williams, the district attorney for Orleans, made a strong commitment to the New Orleans City Council on Tuesday. In the wake of a wave of violent crimes that has seen New Orleans’ year-to-date homicide list surpass its total for all of 2021, Williams stated that the bureau could buck the trend by significantly increasing funding to hire a group of attorneys specializing in homicide and manslaughter.
The next time I stand in front of this institution, we won’t be the nation’s homicide capital, according to Williams, if the city invests in a “elite” group of prosecutors who focus on serious offenses. Several council members applaud.
During a series of hearings involving various financial requests from the city’s criminal justice administration, the attorney general made his promise.
Williams has requested $11.9 million in city money, a 63 percent increase, for his office for the upcoming year. When additional revenue sources are considered, total funding will rise to $18.8 million.
Through 2023, proposed payroll expenses would total $8.9 million, an increase of more than $3 million from the budget for this year. The increase will include cost-of-living adjustments for all employees and the hire of 17 assistant district attorneys, some of whom will come from the Special Unit, as well as new victim and witness attorneys and trial assistants.
Williams stated that removing killers from the streets must be a top priority. “The primary focus must be getting them off the roads through effective law enforcement. A committed prosecutor’s unit will significantly lower our violent crime rates.
Williams said he envisioned the division traveling wherever a lethal case goes and sharing their knowledge with other prosecutors who may someday join their ranks. This contrasts with other prosecutors assigned to one court division and handling a large volume of cases.
Williams has cranked up his rhetoric on the need to hold violent abusers accountable in recent months, as evidenced by the proposal to expand funding for additional prosecutors drastically.
Assistant district attorneys, some of whom will come from the Special Unit, as well as new victim and witness attorneys and trial assistants.
Williams stated that removing killers from the streets must be a top priority. “The primary focus must be getting them off the roads through effective law enforcement. A committed prosecutor’s unit will significantly lower our violent crime rates.
Williams said he envisioned the division traveling wherever a lethal case goes and sharing their knowledge with other prosecutors who may someday join their ranks. This contrasts with other prosecutors assigned to one court division and handling a large volume of cases.
Williams has cranked up his rhetoric on the need to hold violent abusers accountable in recent months, as evidenced by the proposal to expand funding for additional prosecutors drastically.
