Legislation to lower the age from 18 to 17 at which a person charged with a felony could be considered an adult successfully cleared the Senate in a 30-9 vote. Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says an increase in crime including deadly shootings, home invasions and carjackings was the motivation for the bill. She says the state has suffered enough and the current system for juvenile offenders is broken.
New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis says from 2017-2020 the number of juvenile crimes decreased from 6400 to 3700 and putting juveniles in adult jails isn’t going to solve the problem.
The measure heads to a House committee for more discussion.
A bill to double the minimum prison sentence for carjackings receives full passage in the House. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel was questioned by New Orleans Democrat Matthew Williard if the state can handle an influx of prisoners with new laws passed in the crime special session.
The bill passed on an 89-15 vote and heads to a Senate committee for debate.
And a Baton Rouge judge has ruled against a temporary restraining order filed on behalf of advocacy groups who say limiting public input on laws debated in the crime special session is unlawful.