Criminal Justice

Louisiana officials expect to put tens of millions of dollars over the next two months into expanding juvenile detention centers that house children and teenagers accused of crimes.

Non-English-speaking immigrants detained in Louisiana are being denied access to translation and interpretation services, leaving them unable to request medical care or file complaints about abusive treatment immigrants’ rights advocates say.

“Having a felony arrest or conviction on your record is like wearing a heavy yoke around your neck," said Aaron Clark-Rizzio, the legal director for the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights.

Criminal justice reform advocates, public defenders say Act 281 can negatively impact people accused of non-violent crimes.

Criminal code bills passed during this spring’s special legislative session on crime went into effect this month. Today, we hear about the 25-foot police “buffer zone” law and the elimination of parole. Also, the creator of a new exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art tells us about the inspiration for his latest work.

The legislature completed a two-week special session Thursday that will likely reshape the landscape of criminal punishment in Louisiana for years to come.

Lawmakers in the Louisiana House gave final approval to multiple controversial proposals Wednesday, including a measure that would treat 17-year-olds as adults in the state’s criminal justice system.

The proposals threaten to undo many of the bipartisan criminal justice reforms passed in 2017 under former Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Gov. Jeff Landry weighs in on the session so far, discusses his crime policies and takes questions from listeners.