“The spirit of New Orleans is found in its diversity and cross-cultural influences. Hate-motivated crimes will not be tolerated in Orleans Parish.”
Ensuring Justice and Safety for All
The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (OPDA) remains dedicated to prioritizing public safety and protecting New Orleans communities from cowardly acts of violence. We understand that hate crimes are not merely assaults on individuals, but attacks on the very fabric of our communities. Our Hate Crimes Unit is committed to:
Aggressive Prosecution
Our unit aggressively prosecutes hate crimes to ensure justice.
Culturally Competent Victim Services
We offer services that respect and understand the cultural backgrounds of victims.
Community Engagement
We work closely with community members to encourage the reporting of hate crimes and enhance prevention efforts.
Collaboration and Outreach
Working with community and law enforcement agencies to prevent and deter hate crimes.
Meet the Hate Crimes Unit
Geralyn “Gigi” Lambert
Assistant District Attorney
Email: glambert@orleansda.com
Michael Heier
Assistant District Attorney
Email: mheier@orleansda.com
Jessica Strange
Hate Crimes Community Liaison
Email: jstrange@orleansda.com
Learn More About Hate Crime Laws in Louisiana
What is a Hate Crime?
Under Louisiana law, hate crimes are certain crimes committed against persons or property because of actual or perceived:
- Age
- Religion
- Creed
- Sexual orientation
- Race
- Gender
- Color
- Disability
- National origin
- Membership or service in, or employment with, an organization
- Employment as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or EMS personnel
An incident is not a hate crime just because the victim belongs to a protected category; rather, the suspect needs to have targeted or harmed the victim because of a protected category.
An individual convicted of a hate crime may receive added penalties in addition to those imposed for the underlying offense. La. R.S. 14:107.2
Reporting a Hate Crime
If you have been the victim of, or witnessed, a hate crime, you should report it to the police immediately. If you are seriously injured, seek medical attention without delay and document any physical injuries, even minor ones. If the crime involves vandalism, allow the police to see and photograph the damage before you clean or repair anything.
Emergency Calls: 911
Contact Us
Main Office:
Address: 619 S. White St, New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: 504.822.2414
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District Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Unit Institutes Prosecution of Hate Crime Incident
New Orleans, LA – The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office has instituted charges in connection with a hate crime that took [...]
Disclaimer: This project is supported by Grant No. 15PBJA-23-GG-05367-HATE awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. The Opinions contained herein do not necessarily represent the official opinion or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Legal material is referenced for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
