In a significant move, Louisiana’s Republican-controlled Legislature has approved a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at broadening the scope of crimes for which juveniles can be tried as adults. If ratified, this change would specifically impact youths aged 14 to 16, granting legislators the power to decide — by a two-thirds majority — which crimes could be transferred to adult courts. This decision is rooted in Article V, Section 19 of the Constitution of Louisiana, which currently lists 15 offenses such as murder and aggravated burglary as applicable for adult court prosecution.
Leading this legislative initiative is Republican Senator Heather Cloud, whose proposal allows for the concurrent sentencing of juveniles found guilty of specified felonies. Under this new framework, affected individuals would first serve their juvenile sentence before an adult one begins at age 21. A crucial amendment to the bill by Representative Debbie Villio limited the application to felonies only, which dialed down initial provisions that would have extended to “any crime.” This adjustment sought to ease concerns surrounding the potential increase of minors being incarcerated in adult facilities.
The amendment’s backers, including Cloud, argue that it facilitates handling severe crimes, exemplified by the 2022 murder of Linda Frickey in New Orleans, where four teens were tried as adults. Opponents, however, worry about the broader implications. They question whether the legislative push may inadvertently lower the threshold for trying younger children as adults, for less serious infractions.
The decision now lies in the hands of Louisiana voters, who will determine the fate of this constitutional amendment in a statewide election set for March 29, 2025. This development is part of a series of tough-on-crime measures championed by Governor Jeff Landry. Since taking office in January, he has signed legislation to treat 17-year-olds as adults within the criminal justice system, aligning Louisiana with only four other US states in this regard. These changes highlight Louisiana’s response to its status as having the second-highest incarceration rate in the country.
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