Louisiana House Bill HB154

Louisiana 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/8/13
• Refer: 4/8/13

Caption

Provides penalties relative to persons aiding and abetting in the commission of a crime and provides for the procedure by which an aider and abettor may be resentenced (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

Impact

The proposed law sets forth a range of penalties for aider and abettors, which can vary significantly based on the severity of the primary crime. For serious offenses punishable by death or life imprisonment, an aider and abettor could face up to 50 years in hard labor. Lesser crimes, such as theft, have more lenient penalties. Additionally, it introduces provisions allowing individuals convicted as principals in crimes to file motions for resentencing if they can demonstrate they were merely aiding and abetting, potentially reducing their penalties. This could reshape the landscape of sentencing in Louisiana courts by creating avenues for reassessment based on deeper judicial evaluations of involvement in crimes.

Summary

House Bill 154 is legislation aimed at modifying how individuals who assist in the commission of a crime, designated as 'aider and abettor', are punished under state law. It adds 'aider and abettor' to the legal terminology used to describe parties involved in a crime and defines their role as one who assists in committing an offense without directly executing the act or instigating it. This change is significant as it may alter perceptions of culpability in criminal proceedings, emphasizing that those who help in criminal activities can be held accountable alongside actual perpetrators.

Sentiment

Discussion around HB154 indicates a nuanced sentiment among legislators, with some praising the bill for its potential to clarify the law and hold all parties involved in a crime accountable, while others express concerns that the legislation may lead to excessively harsh penalties for some individuals who may not have played significant roles in the crimes committed. The introduction of resentencing procedures implies an intent to provide justice and fairness, particularly for those who are unduly penalized due to their association with principal offenders.

Contention

One notable point of contention arises regarding the penalties outlined for various crimes. Critics argue that the framework could result in disproportionate sentences for minor participants involved in non-violent offenses. There are concerns about the implications for justice, particularly regarding the potential for harsher sentences compared to the principal offenders' actual actions. The inclusion of stricter sentencing for aider and abettors may lead to debates on the ethics of punishing individuals who have differing levels of engagement in criminal conduct, raising questions about fairness and proportionality in sentencing.