A discussion of New Orleans Municipal Court, specifically the recent New Orleans City Council ordinance authorizing summons in lieu of arrest for certain violations, including possesion of marijuana.

In Louisiana there are several ways to go about being released on bond: You can post the entire amount of the bond in cash with the court. This, not surprisingly, is know as a CASH BOND. At the conclusion of the case, you will have the entire amount of the bond you posted refunded to you. [...]

A misdemeanor is a crime for which the maximum possible punishment is incarceration for one year or less. The legal procedures for misdemeanors are usually simpler than for felonies, the penalties less severe and the long-term consequences less harsh.

In order to have a misdemeanor conviction expunged, the Louisiana State law requires that an individual first have the conviction dismissed and set aside under the provisions of Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 894. In order to take advantage of this provision, your attorney must, at the time of your sentencing for a misdemeanor conviction, move the sentencing judge to allow you conviction to be entered under Article 894. This provision of the law allows a judge to dismiss your case set your conviction aside after the successful completion of a period of probation. Only under those circumstances can you move the court to dismiss and set your misdemeanor conviction aside. For that reason, it is imperative to have effective representation from a criminal defense attorney at all stages of the misdemeanor process.