Louisiana House Bill HCR73

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/22/15
• Refer: 4/27/15
• Report Pass: 5/6/15
• Engrossed: 5/13/15
• Passed: 5/18/15

Caption

Requests the Institute on Public Health and Justice to study the issue of raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction to include seventeen-year olds

Impact

The proposed study is expected to yield insights into how the juvenile justice and criminal justice systems operate in Louisiana, particularly how they currently manage youth who fall into the seventeen-year-old category. The resolution cites several studies indicating that youth tried in juvenile courts have better outcomes and lower recidivism rates compared to those tried as adults. Addressing the age of jurisdiction could potentially transform the handling of young offenders in Louisiana's court systems and promote rehabilitation over punitive measures.

Summary

HCR73 is a House Concurrent Resolution that requests the Institute of Public Health and Justice in Louisiana to conduct a comprehensive study on the implications of raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction to encompass seventeen-year-olds. The resolution stems from increasing recognition that adolescents exhibit significant behavioral differences from adults, particularly in areas of decision-making and impulse control, which has legal and rehabilitative implications. The resolution acknowledges a growing trend among states moving toward setting the age of criminal responsibility at eighteen, highlighting that Louisiana remains one of the few states retaining a default system that categorizes seventeen-year-olds as adults in criminal cases.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR73 appears to be supportive of reforming how juvenile offenders are treated within the state’s criminal justice framework. Advocates of the resolution highlight the need for a more rehabilitative approach that acknowledges the distinct nature of adolescent behavior, arguing that this can lead to better long-term outcomes for youth. The discourse indicates a wake-up call to reevaluate existing practices and make gradual changes aligned with findings from developmental psychology and criminology.

Contention

While HCR73 itself does not propose a law but rather a study, the discussion brings attention to deeper contentious issues regarding youth criminal justice practices. Some may argue that raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction could impact public safety negatively by potentially allowing younger offenders to evade accountability for serious crimes. Opponents of such reforms may also voice concerns regarding the logistics and feasibility of implementing a new age threshold and the associated costs involved in managing juvenile cases differently.