Calvin Duncan, a man who spent three decades imprisoned for a murder he did not commit, was elected as the Chief Clerk of Criminal Court in New Orleans, achieving a significant victory despite ongoing challenges to his past. Duncan's election is emblematic of justice reform and dedication to rectify systemic failures within the criminal justice system.
Duncan's journey began with a wrongful conviction for a 1981 murder, a sentence that unjustly incarcerated him for years. However, through relentless determination, he uncovered evidence of police misconduct, leading to the vacating of his conviction in 2021 and his subsequent exoneration.
In the November 15 runoff election, Duncan won decisively with 68% of the votes against incumbent Darren Lombard, who had previously expressed doubts about Duncan's guilt despite a collective public statement from over 160 legal professionals asserting his innocence.
The newly elected clerk, who has become an advocate for legal reform, emphasized his experiences—despite having only an eighth-grade education when incarcerated; he became a legal expert and later a lawyer. Duncan's advocacy has been instrumental in abolishing non-unanimous jury convictions, a practice rooted in the Jim Crow era.
As Clerk of Criminal Court, Duncan plans to ensure fairness, transparency, and improved record-keeping practices. He expressed a commitment to treating all court records with the respect they deserve and has highlighted the need for a reliable digital filing system to avoid past issues, such as the recent discarding of crucial court files.
In congratulating Duncan, Lombard acknowledged the need for a smooth transition, indicating a willingness to support Duncan's initiatives to enhance the office's operations. Duncan's election marks a new chapter not only in his life, but it also reflects the broader conversations around justice reform in New Orleans and beyond.
