The Louisiana Supreme Court has granted Attorney General Liz Murrill’s request to pause a lower court ruling in Crockett v. State of Louisiana.
The stay temporarily pauses a preliminary injunction from the 19th Judicial District Court. It also halts further proceedings while the Louisiana Supreme Court reviews the case.
The lower court ruling had blocked the state from physically combining the two Orleans Parish Clerk of Court offices.
Murrill’s office said the stay supports the state’s position that the case is unlikely to succeed on the merits. The state expects the Louisiana Supreme Court to issue an opinion on the matter after its review.
For now, the court’s order keeps the current setup in place while the legal issues are considered.
On May 8, Murrill sent a letter to Orleans City Council Chairman J.P. Morrell, members of the council and Mayor Helena Moreno about the issue.
Murrill said the case involves Act 15, which transferred the criminal clerk’s duties to the civil clerk’s office and renamed that office.
“This matter needs to be resolved quickly, and that’s what we are asking the Louisiana Supreme Court to do,” Murrill stated.
She also criticized a request from the Orleans Parish district attorney and the mayor asking the City Council to fill what she called a “fictional new office” with an interim clerk.
Murrill argued that such a move would create confusion while the court considers the case.
READ MORE:State Supreme court issues stay as New Orleans City Council holds a special meeting on clerk dispute
