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The Marshall Project's "Closing Argument" newsletter discusses the significant changes in juvenile justice legislation in Louisiana and examines broader trends in criminal justice reform across various states.
Louisiana voters are considering Amendment 3, which would allow lawmakers to send more teenagers to adult courts for a wider range of felonies, including new additions like fentanyl distribution. This marks a regression from previous bipartisan reforms in the mid-2010s, aimed at reducing youth incarceration in adult systems.
The trend is echoed nationally, as many states, including New Mexico and Michigan, are experiencing setbacks in reform efforts. New Mexico lawmakers attempted to expand charges for which youth could be tried as adults, while Michigan's House Speaker declared that no criminal justice reforms would progress this session.
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul supports legislation that would roll back discovery reforms, requiring less evidence sharing by prosecutors—an initiative that has sparked criticism. A similar bail law rollback occurred in New Hampshire, reflecting a shift towards more punitive measures.
Despite this trend, there are minimal efforts for accountability, such as Tennessee's bill to penalize private prison companies for high death rates. However, such reform proposals are becoming rarer and smaller in scope, highlighting a broader national pushback against criminal justice reforms initiated in recent years.
How New York, Louisiana, Others Rewind Reform on Bail, Juvenile Justice, More | The Marshall Project
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