Concerns have been raised about whether the public’s safety is at risk as a result of Governor John Bel Edwards’ criminal justice reform measures approved a year ago. Ricky Babin, who is the D-A for the parishes of Ascension, Assumption and St. James, says a third of the inmates in his district released early have reoffended again. But state Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says if DAs are upset about potentially violent prisoners gettting out too early, then the justice system should focus on giving them proper sentences to start with…
cut 13 (11) “…is it political”

According to the Advocate, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry opposes the constitutional amendment on the November 6th ballot that seeks to make it a unanimous jury decision in order to convict a suspect in a felony case. Current law, calls for at least 10 jurists on a 12-person panel to secure a conviction.

We are three months out from the November sixth election. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the 3rd district race is worth keeping an eye on. He’s confident Clay Higgins will get re-elected, but says if voters decide on someone else, it would be another Republican, Lafayette attorney Josh Guillory.
cut 5 (09) “…point to a Republican”
Alford says Republican state lawmaker Julie Stokes has the lead in funding for the Secretary of State’s race. But Alford wonders if Stokes’ votes for taxes in the recent special sessions will hurt her chances.
cut 6 (03) “…her base”
The Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee has endorsed former state legislator A.G. Crowe for Secretary of State.

Other major candidates for SOS, current interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, Republican state lawmaker Rick Edmonds and Democrat Renee Fontenot Free.