BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Defense attorneys in the ongoing Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) corruption case recently cited a shortage of court reporters as the reason they deserve more time to fight a district judge’s decision, court records show.

19th Judicial District Court Chief Judge Donald Johnson signed a resolution in early June 2025 highlighting an “urgent need” to address the shortage of court reporters.

“Certified Court Reporters are essential to the fair and accurate administration of justice. They ensure the precise recording of courtroom proceedings, which supports appeals, protects the rights of litigants, and preserves the integrity of our legal system,” wrote Johnson. “However, courts across Louisiana — including our own — are facing a significant decline in the avail

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