Louisiana House Bill HB560

Louisiana 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/2/18
• Refer: 3/2/18
• Refer: 3/12/18

Caption

Creates the State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct

Impact

The creation of the State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct will have significant implications for state laws concerning the monitoring of prosecutorial conduct and performance. By mandating the collection and public reporting of data, the bill seeks to foster a greater level of oversight regarding how district attorneys handle cases and engage with community members. This could potentially lead to reforms in prosecutorial practices, particularly regarding diversion programs, which are increasingly viewed as a means of addressing issues related to incarceration and recidivism.

Summary

House Bill 560 establishes the State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct, which is tasked with collecting and reporting data from district attorneys' offices throughout the state. This commission aims to promote transparency and accountability within the prosecutorial system by monitoring the performance of district attorney-operated diversion programs, which aim to divert defendants from prosecution. The data collected will include demographic information about participants, case statistics, and sentencing outcomes, enhancing the understanding of how the criminal justice system operates in Louisiana.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 560 appears to be cautiously optimistic. Supporters view the bill as a crucial step toward enabling greater accountability and ensuring that prosecutorial practices are reflective of fairness and equity. However, there are concerns about the practicalities of implementation, such as how effectively the commission can enforce compliance among district attorney offices and whether the collected data will lead to meaningful changes in prosecutorial practices.

Contention

Notable points of contention revolve around how the commission will operate and enforce compliance, as well as worries about data accuracy and privacy. While the bill assures that no personal data of diversion program participants will be published, questions remain about the potential for misuse of the data collected and how comprehensive the reporting will be. Furthermore, some stakeholders may be apprehensive about the impact of increased scrutiny on prosecutorial discretion and the overall efficiency of the criminal justice system.