When police released details of Ainsworth’s murder, they also announced he had been arrested for drug possession and other non-violent crimes in the past, keeping with a year-old policy in which the criminal records of murdered victims are available to the public.

NOPD says this practice gives the public a more complete picture of the incident and shows that many victims of violent crimes are themselves convicted criminals. Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas said publicizing arrest records gives a better picture of the killing, which authorities said usually involves young men who are killing people with similar backgrounds.

Serpas estimated 62 percent of those killed in 2011 had prior felony arrests.

Families of the dead victims say the practice is insensitive at a time when they are trying to cope with the loss of a loved one. Others are outraged with the policy, saying that it carries racial overtones – that African Americans and other minorities are predominantly violent criminals – and implies that the victims got what they deserved.

This is obviously a contentious issue – what do you think? Is NOPD just trying to better-inform the public or are they unfairly profiling victims? Comment below or reply to @BloomLegal on Twitter.

If you or anyone you know has been arrested and charged with a violentcrime, call Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 for immediate help and a free case evaluation.

New Orleans police booked Jonathan Hobgood, 29, of Pearl River with impersonating a police officer, aggravated assault and illegal carrying of a weapon after the Nov. 27 incident, according to Criminal District Court records.

Courtesy of NOLA.com

Police said Hobgood was driving his truck on Frenchmen Street at 1:15 a.m. when a taxi stopped to unload passengers near the corner of Chartres Street. Hobgood then pulled his car next to the cab and began to yell obscenities at the driver. Detective Gus James saw the incident happening and approached the vehicles. It was at this point, police said, that Hobgood tried to drive off but instead hit the cab’s fender.

After hitting the cab, police said, Hobgood got out of his truck, walked up to the cab driver and pointed a gun at his face. James managed to position himself next to Hobgood and was able to disarm him before any further damage was caused.

As police handcuffed Hobgood, he told them he also was a police officer. Detectives who looked up Hobgood’s record found he was a seven-year veteran of the Bossier City Police Department, but that he resigned in 2007 – however no records exist to explain why he resigned.

If you or anyone you know is the victim of personal injury, contact Bloom Legal 24/7 at www.bloomlegal.com or at 504-599-9997 for a free consultation to discuss your options.

The festival which has grown from modest beginnings drawing a crowd of 5,000 to Oak St, to a whopping 50,000 estimated attendants, will run Sunday from 10am-7pm at its usual location on Oak St between S. Carrolton and Eagle St.

Admission is free although the festival will be offering $150 VIP wristbands or $200 passes which include wristbands and guaranteed parking spaces.

Festival organizers have reported a number of new features this year include expanding the length of the festival area and the addition of a bike corral behind the Carrolton Ave Whitney Bank building as well as new seated-dining options.

An anticipated hot-item at this year’s festival will be the offering of newcomer, Blue Dot’s “Thai Pork Dough Boy”, a sandwich that reportedly involves the use of two doughnuts.

As always, Po-Boy Fest will also feature great live music including performances by: George Porter Jr., Flowtribe, The Revivalists, and Dee-1.

Drivers are advised to have the proper documentation (proof of insurance, registration, driver’s license, etc) available if requested.

Check out our printable Glovebox Reference Guide for information regarding how to respond when pulled over or arrested for DWI.

While we certainly do not condone this type of behavior, should you or someone you know get behind the wheel after a night at the bar and get arrested or charged with a DUI/DWI, Bloom Legal is here (504-599-9997) to provide assistance to you in getting all of your affairs back in order.

-Bloom Legal LLC 700 Camp St Ste 212 New Orleans, LA 70130-

Mr. Thomas was terminated after his arrest on Friday, September 9th, 2011. He has charges of sexual malfeasance, aggravated rape, and second degree kidnapping. According to a police report obtained by Eyewitness News, former Deputy Dejuan Thomas admitted taking a 21-year-old male inmate into a jailhouse closet for sex, but said it was consensual.

The inmate gave a different account, telling investigators he was forced. He said Thomas led him away in handcuffs under the disguise of a sick call. Dejuan Thomas remains in custody, his bond has been set at $105,000.

An office spokesman said the agency has opened an investigation. Mr. Thomas is facing disturbing charges and prosecutors will aggressively pursue the investigation.

If you or anyone you know are arrested on felony charges, contact Bloom Legal today at 504-599-9997 to discuss you defense options.

Photo Courtesy of Nola.com

Ian Driskill, 21, is suspected of having been under the influence of drugs at the time of the escapade and has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, illegal possession of stolen property, possession of chlorazepate, possession of marijuana, driving while intoxicated, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless operation of a vehicle, hit-and-run driving with no death or serious injury, possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle and lack of registration.

After being treated for minor injuries at a local hospital, Driskill was booked and charged at 7:40 am.

This report serves as a reminder that unsuspecting citizens can become the victims of destruction of property at the hands of intoxicated individuals. If you or someone you know have sustained damage to your vehicle or property and know the identity of the responsible party, contact Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 for a free consultation to discuss how we might be able to assist you.

Photo Courtesy of nola.com

It was found that officers were habitually using excessive force, as witnessed by the Krewe of Eris, and investigations into these incidents were not thorough enough to determine innocence. Many investigations of officer-involved shootings were so mishandled that the report considers them, “a deliberate attempt to make it more difficult to criminally prosecute any officer in these cases.”

The report also found that the NOPD was arresting a disproportionate amount of African-Americans through the practice of racial profiling. The Times Picayune reports that, “in other cities that collect data, the ratio of black-to-white juvenile arrests is 3:1 after adjusting for population,…the rate in New Orleans is 16:1.”

These are just some of the most egregious in a long list of problems including K9 units that attack their own handlers. Hopefully over time, the NOPD will see effective reform, but the problems persist. If you or anyone you know has been mistreated by the NOPD, Bloom Legal can fight for you. Contact us at 504-599-9997 for a free no obligation consultation.

According to investigators, James Ross was last seen by his wife, Mrs. Elnora Ross, this morning outside of Saint Luke’s Church near the intersection of Clara and Valence Streets. Mrs. Ross further stated that her husband suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and is fearful that her husband may have become confused and wandered off again.

Mr. Ross was last seen driving their 2003 white Ford Focus with a partial Louisiana plate of PYE.

Mr. Ross is described as a 79-year-old African-American male, approximately 6’0″, and 220 pounds last seen wearing a black suit, white shirt and black and brown tie.

Anyone with information that can help locate James Ross should contact the New Orleans Police Department at 821-2222.

Total Arrests in the Downtown Area: 180
Felony:
4
Misdemeanor:
9
Municipal:
49
Traffic:
1
DWI:
0
Juvenile:
4
Summons:
33
Curfew Violators:
80

New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl are a time of great celebration in the city but unfortunately that often means that the number of arrests conducted by the New Orleans Police Department increase due to the high incidence of alcohol consumption and large influx of tourists to the area.

If you or someone you know are arrested on the night of the Sugar Bowl, don’t let it ruin the rest of 2011. Contact Bloom Legal today at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your case with an experienced New Orleans Criminal Defense Attorney.

Photo of Henry Glover Courtesy of nola.com

Justice came slowly for the Glover family who waited for years as the truth slowly bubbled to the surface and a cover up began to take shape. A jury of five men and seven women found Officer David Warren guilty of manslaughter, Officer Gregory McRae guilty of obstruction of justice for burning Henry Glovers body, and Lieutenant Travis McCabe guilty of obstruction of justice for falsifying a report. However, Lieutenant Robert Italiano was declared innocent, not having known about the lies on the report he signed.

Officer Warren’s conviction carries with it the possibility of life in prison, but at this point that seems to be an unlikely outcome. The jury found the policeman guilty of manslaughter rather than murder which implies that he may receive a more lenient sentence. Regardless of the punishment, the three guilty verdicts help to heal some of the wounds of Katrina for the Glover family and for the city.

If you or someone you know are victims of police corruption or miscarriage of justice, contact Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your case.