Finding Effective Counsel from Jail: Models of Legal Representation in Louisiana
Panel at Human Rights First's Dialogues on Detention: Lessons from Criminal Justice Reform for Immigration Detention (Loyola Univ New Orleans School of Law, Nov 30, 2012)
Ken Mayeaux: Back in the 1980s, someone had the brilliant idea to build a 900 bed facility in the middle of nowhere. #Oakdale #HRFDetention- Mayeaux: Oakdale: largest number (4100) of case completions per IJ per year in the country. #HRFDetention
- Mayeaux: Oakdale has v. low rates of applications for relief (3%). Vastly different in TX. The difference? Access to counsel. #HRFDetention
- Mayeaux: Oakdale is the worst of the worst of the worst for access to counsel. #HRFDetention
- Mayeaux: Different rules in different places for very basic access issues for lawyers. #HRFDetention
- Mayeaux: We've created the perfect storm here in Louisiana for denial of access to counsel. #HRFDetention
- Mayeaux: A huge amount of time is spent on logistics (driving to facilities, finding clients, etc) and not on lawyering. #HRFDetention
- Immigration Judge Wayne Stogner: There's one reason why they put the Oakdale facility in the middle of nowhere: money. #HRFDetention
- Stogner: Only two hotels in Oakdale, so if you're there to represent clients, you have to bring your own tent. #HRFDetention
- Stogner: Lots of standardized stipulated removal orders in Oakdale; ppl who want to get out of Oakdale & don't want to wait. #HRFDetention
- Stogner: I've had people ask whether counsel makes a difference. Response: "How on earth could you ask such a question?" #HRFDetention
- Jee Park (Orleans Public Defenders): Mindboggling to me that indivs are expected to go through removal process w/o attys #HRFDetention
RT @MissEBennett: Follow @kalhan for live-tweeting of discussion of representation for detained immigrants #dwn @DavidLeopold @willcoley- Kim Boyle: Private bar will never be able to fill the gap of providing lawyers to ppl who need them in crim justice system. #HRFDetention
- Mayeaux: EOIR should allow limited appearances to facilitate legal representation of detained indivs seeking release on bond. #HRFDetention
- Mayeaux: IJs should have more leeway to grant motions to change venue. Right now, if ICE opposes the motion it's over. #HRFDetention
