Authorities returned an indictment against New Orleans gang members that they called the largest and most sweeping in the city's history, District Attorney Leon Cannizzarro said this morning. The 51-count indictment was filed yesterday against 15 members of the 110ers gang, which included those responsible for the murder of 5-year-old Briana Allen at a Central City birthday party in May, 2012, Cannizzaro said.

According to Mayor Landrieu and his team of law enforcement officials, New Orleans’ crime rate is largely the result of gang violence. Da’ Mayor and his NOLA For Life Campaign members gathered at City Hall today to send a strong message to those responsible for the persistent death toll: the city is pursuing violent offenders with renewed vigor and longer sentencing.

The DA's office is trying to trim the fat, which means they have no place for Russell Brand and marijuana. The British actor's recent legal troubles and pot possession were held up as examples Wednesday of how the local justice system is changing their approach on petty crime. District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro says moving misdemeanor cases out of his office is helping the justice system be more efficient. But Judge Camille Buras said Criminal District Court is facing budget woes because the money to deal with the cases isn't following.

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by Shay Sokol

Late last week, the NOPD delivered its fact-finding report on the police-involved killing of Justin Sipp to the District Attorney’s office, a day after they delivered their report on the police-involved killing of Wendell Allen.  Almost two months ago, both Sipp, 20, and Allen, 20, were shot and killed by NOPD officers in separate incidents over a one-week span in early March.

By a margin of 8-1, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a New Orleans man's murder conviction this morning after finding that Harry Connick's District Attorney's office withheld crucial evidence that would have helped the man's case at trial. Juan Smith was convicted after a single man fingered him from the scene of the  Roman Street Massacre, but later found that prosecutors withheld a police report that showed the witness never saw his face. Current DA Leon Cannizzaro's office is now 1-for-2 defending withheld evidence cases at the Supreme Court in the last two years.

Last week, Mayor Mitch proved that it's not a sprint, some robbers unknowingly started the "Hang Up and Steal" campaign and, as ever, cops got really excited about getting to use code words. Ian Hoch makes the cold, hard facts look a lot prettier with our regular revue of the news. Beam yourself to NoDef Numbers by clicking "Read More."

Whether you're talking about Cannizzaro or Connick, the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office is, as ever, at the mercy of judges. Turns out, the guys and gals with the black robes are pretty tough to control. For the second time in two years, former District Attorney Harry Connick's office will face the scrutiny of the highest court in the land for withholding crucial evidence from the defense. Juan Smith, who was convicted of murder, could get a new trial from the U.S. Supreme Court in the high stakes case.

by Ben de la Cour

Area law enforcers gathered yesterday to confirm, once and for all, that the heat is on. As part of their latest sting, cops made a total of 67 arrests, 62 of which were for prostitution with the remaining 5 being open warrants for illegal drug charges. Most of those arrested in Project Heat were woman from out of town staying in downtown hotels. In some cases members of staff had called NOPD's 8th District station to report suspicious activity involving alleged prostitutes, the brass gathered at the news conference said.

Crime is off the charts in our city not only because someone decides to pick up a gun, but because they decide to do it again, and they get out of jail and get a chance to do it yet again. Last night, Fox 8 detailed the path of repeat offender Deloyd Jones, who has been connected to a 9th Ward shooting spree and two murders, among other things, since he was 15 years old. Despite Jones' past, District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro doesn't only place the blame on the criminal. "The violent criminals are winning as long as the people of this community refuse to come forward," he said. Read the story here.

As a new week dawns, a weight has been lifted off the shoulders of our city. As of yesterday, New Orleans police are no longer required to arrest people caught with marijuana and take them to jail. Instead, cops now have the option to issue a ticket, which amounts to the same kind of legal ringer that comes from getting a speeding ticket. Other than seeing Juvenile in Orleans Parish a little more, there won't be a lot of other changes.