During a Wednesday budget hearing, New Orleans’ three main criminal‑justice entities – the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office and the Criminal District Court – each presented requests for millions of dollars in extra funding for the 2027 fiscal year. Their pleas come as Mayor Helena Moreno’s administration seeks to close an estimated $100 million shortfall by slashing $77 million in proposed city spending.
Sheriff’s Office seeks $17 million
Sheriff Michelle Woodfork asked council members for roughly $17 million to cover staffing shortages, medical costs and other operational expenses. The request includes $1.2 million to hire 27 deputies for a new jail medical and mental‑health facility slated to open in November. Woodfork told the council, “In the last two years, there has been a financial strain on the organization that has affected our ability to maintain the infrastructure and basic constitutional operations of our agency.”
District Attorney requests $13.48 million
District Attorney Jason Williams submitted a proposal for $13.48 million, nearly double the $6.94 million the mayor’s budget currently allocates to his office. Williams also noted that the mayor’s plan would cut $1.5 million from the office’s adopted 2026 budget. His total 2027 spending plan, which includes state funding, grants and other revenue, totals $19.6 million. Under the mayor’s proposal, anticipated revenue would fall to $13.06 million, leaving a $6.54 million gap.
Williams warned that the shortfall could force the near shutdown of critical units, including the homicide unit, Special Victims Unit, adult diversion program, most investigators and victim‑advocate staff. He said eliminating these services would still not generate enough savings to close the gap.
Criminal District Court faces $4.29 million deficit
Chief Judge Juana Marine Lombard reported that the Criminal District Court is staring at a $4.29 million shortfall, despite the mayor’s suggestion to keep city funding at 2026 levels. Judge Tracey Flemings‑Davillier told council members, “We have absolutely no funds, no cash on hand to cover the $4.2 million deficit that we’re currently facing.” The court has already exhausted reserves that were previously used to offset funding reductions, and the shortfall includes savings from the elimination of three judicial sections.
Officials cautioned that insufficient funding could delay criminal proceedings and increase taxpayer costs by prolonging pre‑trial detention.
Mayor’s proposed cuts and potential tax reversal
Mayor Moreno’s office recently identified $27.4 million in spending reductions it would prioritize reversing if the council approves an increase in property‑tax collections. However, the additional funding requests from the sheriff, district attorney and court were not listed among those priorities.
The council now faces a decision: approve the agencies’ funding requests to preserve public‑safety services and court operations, or continue with the mayor’s austerity plan that could jeopardize essential criminal‑justice functions for New Orleans residents.
Community impact
Local leaders and advocacy groups have expressed concern that cuts to the homicide unit, victim‑advocate services and mental‑health resources could disproportionately affect vulnerable neighborhoods. Maintaining robust staffing and program funding aligns with the community’s interest in safety, due process and the constitutional rights of all citizens.
The council is expected to vote on the budget amendments in the coming weeks. Continued dialogue between the mayor’s office, law‑enforcement leaders and community stakeholders will be critical to finding a fiscally responsible solution that does not compromise public safety.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
