Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 435: CRIMINAL/RECORDS: Provides relative to expungements

HB 435 creates an expedited process for clearing certain arrest records in Louisiana at no cost to the individual. It applies directly to people arrested as 17-year-olds for offenses under Louisiana law, or those whose cases were dismissed, dismissed after a pretrial diversion, or ended in acquittal. The bill modifies court procedures to automatically qualify these individuals for expungement without requiring additional court hearings. This policy change simplifies access to record clearance for eligible residents who have no conviction record.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates expungement for dismissed/arrested youth cases, reducing barriers to opportunity and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 258: JUVENILES: Provides relative to juvenile traffic violations. (2/3 - CA5s19) (8/1/26)

SB 258 changes Louisiana law to require that 17-year-olds and older be prosecuted in district court for traffic offenses, rather than juvenile court. It amends the Children's Code by redefining "delinquent act" to include traffic violations for individuals under 17, meaning traffic offenses committed by 17- to 20-year-olds will now be treated as criminal matters in adult court. The bill directly affects teens aged 17-20 who commit traffic violations, shifting their cases from juvenile proceedings to standard criminal prosecution. This change removes the previous exclusion of traffic violations from juvenile court jurisdiction for this age group. The bill is currently prefiled and awaiting committee referral.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeShifts traffic offenses for 17-20yo from juvenile to adult court, expanding criminalization of minor offenses per bill's explicit jurisdiction change.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 215: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the grounds for post conviction relief for inmates convicted by a non-unanimous jury. (gov sig) (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 215 creates a special committee within Louisiana's Department of Public Safety to review parole applications for inmates convicted by non-unanimous juries (where the jury did not agree unanimously on the verdict). The committee, made up of retired judges, prosecutors, and public defenders appointed by the governor, will determine if such convictions caused a miscarriage of justice and decide on parole eligibility and conditions. Inmates must submit applications with court records, and the committee must meet monthly to consider cases. The bill also requires the committee to notify correctional facilities and local prosecutors of its decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates committee to review non-unanimous jury convictions for miscarriage of justice, aligning with reform by protecting defendant rights and addressing systemic flaws in sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House May 5, 2026

HB 911: PARISH/ORLEANS: Provides for the complete reform and modernization of the judicial components of Orleans Parish (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 911 merges Orleans Parish's civil, criminal, and juvenile courts into a single "Forty-First Judicial District," directly affecting New Orleans residents, judges, clerks, and court staff. It abolishes 10 specific court divisions (including juvenile and civil/criminal divisions) and reduces judgeships from 31 to 22, while creating a unified clerk of court position and consolidating judicial offices. Key provisions include transferring juvenile court jurisdiction to the new district, eliminating duplicate court clerks, and extending current juvenile court judges' terms until 2027. The bill aims to streamline operations, reduce costs through economies of scale, and modernize a system described as "fragmented and inefficient" following Hurricane Katrina and financial challenges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly mandates court system reform via consolidation and modernization, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by streamlining judicial operations and eliminating outdated divisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Tags Public Safety

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 374: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to bail hearings and conditions for certain persons

HB 374 modifies Louisiana's bail procedures for defendants charged with specific offenses involving minor victims. It requires law enforcement to notify prosecutors within 24 hours of arresting someone for a felony sex offense or violent crime against a child under 18. The bill mandates special hearings within 5 days for repeat sex offenders and within 72 hours for new charges involving minor victims, and prohibits bail release until a Uniform Abuse Prevention Order is filed - unless the court finds it unnecessary. This directly affects defendants in these cases, prosecutors, and courts handling bail decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTightens bail procedures for sex offenders against minors, requiring faster hearings and restricting release to protect victims, aligning with victim safety and court oversight priorities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Violent Crime

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 185: SEX OFFENSES: Provides that nondisclosure agreements involving victims of child sexual abuse are against public policy and unenforceable. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 185 makes it illegal for agreements to prevent child sexual abuse victims from discussing or disclosing their abuse. The bill declares that any nondisclosure agreement involving such victims is unenforceable in court and against public policy. This directly affects victims in Louisiana by removing legal barriers to speaking about their experiences. The law ensures victims cannot be silenced through binding contracts, focusing solely on this specific policy change.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victims' rights by invalidating nondisclosure agreements in child sexual abuse cases, aligning with civil rights and criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 140: JUVENILE PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the time limitations governing juvenile delinquency proceedings (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 140 modifies Louisiana's juvenile delinquency court timelines to ensure timely proceedings. It sets strict deadlines: if a juvenile is held in custody for a violent crime, the court must hold the hearing within 60 days; for non-violent crimes, it’s 30 days; and if not in custody, the hearing must occur within 90 days. The bill adds provisions interrupting these timelines (e.g., if a juvenile flees or is deemed mentally unfit) and suspending them during pretrial motions, requiring courts to restart the clock once interruptions end. If deadlines pass without justification, the case must be dismissed upon a juvenile’s written motion. This directly affects juveniles in delinquency cases, courts, prosecutors, and defense attorneys by streamlining procedural timelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets strict court timelines for juvenile cases to prevent delays, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of timely proceedings and fair treatment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 313: CLERKS OF COURT: Prohibits clerks of court's vendors from charging additional electronic filing fees in criminal and traffic actions. (8/1/26)

SB 313 prohibits Louisiana county clerks of court from charging additional fees for electronic filings in criminal cases, including related service fees. This directly affects criminal defendants, their attorneys, and court staff who use electronic filing systems for criminal matters. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure no extra charges are assessed beyond standard filing costs for electronic submissions in criminal cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barriers for electronic filings in criminal cases, improving access to court processes and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 211: COURTS: Provides relative to the creation, administration, and eligibility requirements of the Homelessness Court program (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 211 creates Louisiana's "Homelessness Court Program," establishing specialized court divisions to address homelessness through treatment and support instead of incarceration. It directly affects individuals experiencing homelessness charged with misdemeanors or felonies related to public camping or survival needs, requiring courts to screen eligible defendants for the program. Key provisions include mandatory substance abuse and mental health treatment, housing/job assistance partnerships, and a new criminal penalty for "unauthorized camping on public property" (with exceptions for shelter access). The program aims to reduce recidivism, court workloads, and prison overcrowding by integrating health care, housing, and rehabilitation services under judicial supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Homelessness Court to divert non-violent homeless defendants from incarceration to treatment, reducing recidivism and promoting rehabilitation through mandated support services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health treatment for homeless defendants, directly advancing mental health services within the court program's requirements95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates Homelessness Court Program with mandatory housing/job assistance partnerships for homeless individuals charged with survival-related offenses, directly addressing homelessness through housing support rather than incarceration.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse Homelessness

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 126: COURTS: Provides relative to the use of a facility dog by a witness during certain circumstances

HB 126 allows courts in Louisiana to permit facility dogs to accompany specific witnesses during testimony. It directly affects minors under 18, individuals with developmental disabilities (as defined by law), and victims of sex offenses (as defined in state law). The bill requires courts to permit a facility dog if available while these witnesses testify, aiming to help reduce anxiety. The provision applies during court proceedings and does not change existing legal standards or outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables facility dogs for vulnerable witnesses (minors, disabled, sex offense victims) during testimony to reduce anxiety, improving court process within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts