Louisiana Appleseed Projects

Access to Education

Access to Opportunity

ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Conducting Mental Health Training; Writing, Researching and Compiling Mental Health Handbooks ~ Some attorneys and judges, particularly those not focused exclusively on criminal practice, are unaware of Louisiana laws governing identification, diversion, and treatment of people with mental illness or mental retardation. Recognizing the need for training and support in this area, Louisiana Appleseed is collaborating with other area organizations to create a Louisiana-focused handbook that will serve as a guide for practitioners when representing clients with mental health issues and mental retardation. Louisiana Appleseed will compile, print and deliver the manual. In addition, Appleseed plans to hold free Continuing Legal Education classes on the topic. Louisiana public defenders, as well as private practitioners and mental health workers, eagerly anticipate the handbooks and training sessions, recognizing the great need to learn how to best serve clients with these issues. Project Partners: Louisiana Justice Coalition, Loyola School of Law, LSU School of Social Work, Texas Appleseed, Tulane Law School Criminal Clinic, Louisiana Public Defender Board and Adams and Reese LLP  Read ~ Representing Clients with Mental Illness: A Resource for Louisiana Defenders

Language Access in Louisiana Courts ~ Developing state-wide interpreter standards is an essential step in ensuring equal access to the justice system, regardless of limited English proficiency.   Regardless, Louisiana does not currently have any standards in place to govern courtroom interpretation.  Louisiana Appleseed volunteers have prepared an analysis of other states’ interpreter standards and have drafted a model court rule for the Louisiana Supreme Court’s consideration.  Louisiana Appleseed and the Language Access Coalition have advocated for adoption of this rule.  The Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates has passed a resolution in support, as has the Louisiana Public Defender Board.  Recently, state Rep. Cedric Richmond's resolution HCR 48 passed, urging the Judicial Council to adopt guidelines and rules for courtroom interpreters.  We will continue to work with our project partners to provide support during the rule-making process.     Project Partners: Phelps Dunbar, Fowler Rodriguez, Language Access Coalition, Louisiana State Bar Association, Hispanic Lawyers Association

Disaster Training Manual for Louisiana Lawyers ~ Immediately following the 2005 hurricanes, the Louisiana State Bar Association and its partners developed a manual for pro bono attorneys.  Should disaster strike again, this disaster training manual will enable access to legal representation for thousands of Louisiana residents, especially the poor.  Louisiana Appleseed volunteers review the manual each quarter to ensure information is current, making the manual readily accessible for those who might need it.   Project Partner: Louisiana State Bar Association, Sher Garner

Amicus Project ~ Filing amicus briefs on important cases is a powerful tool used to advance social justice. Louisiana Appleseed has assembled a team of attorneys to regularly review cases before the Louisiana Supreme Court to identify which cases may be appropriate for Louisiana Appleseed involvement as an amicus – thereby giving Appleseed a means to advocate for underrepresented populations across the state.    The task force will bring the cases to Louisiana Appleseed’s attention early enough to consider mounting an amicus effort. In appropriate cases, Louisiana Appleseed volunteer attorneys will draft and file a brief as an amicus. This project will enable Louisiana Appleseed to better speak for the disadvantaged and champion social justice -- interests often at stake in cases before the LASC, but which often go unprotected.   Project partners: Adams and Reese LLP