The Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans is facing yet another power-related shutdown this week, marking a recurring issue for the institution. Officials declared yesterday that the courthouse will remain closed for the entirety of the week. The cause of the shutdown is attributed to a power outage experienced over the weekend, necessitating significant electrical system repairs, as reported by WWLTV.
Consistent with the information provided by WDSU, an Entergy spokesperson delivered a statement clarifying the situation, “The Orleans Municipal and Traffic Court is currently undergoing internal electrical repairs. Until this work is completed, the facility cannot receive power. Once the City has completed their repairs, Entergy can resume providing electric service.” This week's closure is not an isolated event but the latest in a series of power failures; previous incidents occurred in April and November of 2024.
The closure affects the courthouses' operations at 1601 Perdido St., suspending all activities scheduled from today, through Friday, April 25. Details regarding the postponement of court summons scheduled for this week, however, have not been disclosed.
While this is the third recorded power outage leading to closures within the past year, officials have not yet announced any long-term solutions or preventative measures to address the courthouse's electrical vulnerabilities. This has raised concerns among citizens who rely on the courthouse's services, as repeated shutdowns disrupt legal proceedings and public access to justice. An early account of the closure, alongside a comprehensive report of the situation was offered by WGNO.
