East Baton Rouge proposed budget cuts threaten justice system operations

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - East Baton Rouge Parish’s proposed budget cuts are raising concerns among judicial officials who say the reductions will create significant delays in the justice system and could potentially lead to wrongful convictions.

The public defender’s office faces a nearly 38% funding cut when combining a 22% budget reduction with the loss of Entergy franchise fee funding, according to Chief Public Defender Kyla Romanach. The proposed cuts would take effect by January 1.

“It is a nightmare scenario for all the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish,” Romanach said. “No one can be sure that they’re not going to be the next victim of this system.”

Impact on case processing

The funding reductions will likely result in job losses and slower case processing, Romanach said. In