Big changes could be coming to New Orleans courts, but are they moving too fast?

The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) is warning that proposed Louisiana bills to consolidate Orleans Parish’s civil and criminal courts, reducing the number of judges, could seriously disrupt New Orleans’ justice system. The report says the changes may create case backlogs, slow court proceedings, and strain already limited judicial resources. Supporters argue the overhaul would improve efficiency and reduce costs, but BGR cautions that moving too quickly could have major unintended consequences for public safety, court operations, and access to justice. The proposal is part of a broader push by state leaders to restructure the city’s court system. Becky Mowbray and Paul Rioux of the Bureau of Governmental Research to join Newell to talk about it.