Nick Varrecchio for Clerk of Criminal Court

Nick Varrecchio understands that the viability of a safe, economically vibrant New Orleans is dependent upon the smooth and competent functioning of its courts system and the preservation of every citizen’s voting rights.

No one under the age of 50 in our city has more experience in election and voting rights litigation than Nick Varrecchio. Our courts and our election process are ensured by the office of Clerk of Criminal District Court – an office that is charged with maintaining criminal records and evidence as well as the oversight and supervision of all election processes – training commissioners, delivery and sealing of voting machines, and conducting elections

Sadly, this office has received extensive and well-documented negative publicity regarding its serious dysfunction under the incumbent, Kimberly Williamson Butler. It’s time to rebuild confidence, organization, and function in this office.No more excuses!

Nick Varrecchio has the vision, the experience, the organizational skills, and the leadership capabilities to correct these problems. Nick worked his way through college and Law School as a bailiff in criminal court and as a law clerk for Judge Israel Augustine. He has a full understanding of the strengths, shortcomings, and needs of this very important office in his many years as a deputy, law clerk, and attorney. Moreover, Nick Varrecchio is humbly open to listen to and to consider any sensible suggestions that may be provided by anyone that would improve the operations of this very important elected office.

Nick Varrecchio’s platform for reforming the clerk’s office are as follows:

CRIMINAL COURT TRIALS - RECORDS & EVIDENCE

• Bar coding and organizing all files
• Working with the judges’ staffs, the District Attorney’s Office, defense attorneys and the Police Department to assure all subpeonas are delivered to NOPD officers and witnesses needed to testify at their respective court appearances
• Rebuilding the confidence of the Criminal Court Judges and
  other principals within the criminal justice system
• 24 hour video surveillance of the evidence room to prevent
  ongoing problems of missing cash evidence and other important items
• Placement of the evidence room in the attic of the Criminal Court building, as previously planned for, to avoid and future flooding problems
• Integration of computer system with other parts of the crimnal justice system

DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS OF THE OFFICE

• Institute later operating hours to allow easier filing procedures and better access to records by attorneys, clients, and the general public
• Institute facsimile filing of pleadings to allow greater access to the court
• Working with the City Council and legislature provide a permanent solution to the funding problems of our criminal justice system, including exploring all aspects and proposals of court
  consolidation
• Cross-training of employees to allow greater workforce flexibility
• Utilize students and interns to supplement the workforce conducting the day-to-day operations of the clerk’s office
• Bringing integrity, humility and pride to the operations and management of this very important elected office

ELECTIONS OPERATIONS

• Ongoing outreach to neighborhood groups and civic organizations in deciding polling place locations to ensure thebest and most sensible polling place locations
• Year round recruitment and training of polling place commissioners
• Year round monitoring and communication with those having custody and control of of polling place locations
• Delivery of voting machines to polling place locations at least two days prior to an election
• Utilize students and interns to supplement the workforce conducting and monitoring elections
• Working to allow early voting to be held at locations other than City Hall in order to avoid forcing voters to pay to park in order to vote
• Publicize and maximize all opportunities for elderly and infirm voters to cast their votes ballots