The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SB 521 Original 2018 Regular Session Claitor
Present law provides for the creation of workforce development sentencing programs by the reentry
division court. Present law requires the defendant to meet eligibility requirements for participation
in the Offender Rehabilitation and Workforce Development Program. Under the program, the court
makes a determination of whether participation in the program is in the best interest of the
community and the defendant. Participants must not have been charged with a crime that resulted
in the death of a person or a sentence that exceeds 10 years or more.
Proposed law allows defendants to participate in reentry courts if the crime is not considered a crime
of violence under R.S. 14:2(B). However, a defendant with a first conviction of a crime with a
maximum prison sentence of 10 years or less that was not committed against a family or household
member or dating partner may be eligible to participate. The participating defendant is not eligible
for parole or the ability to earn "good time" or "good time" credits. Additionally, the district attorney
has the ability to make a written recommendation to the court that a crime not be designated as a
crime of violence in order for the defendant to become eligible to participate in the Offender
Rehabilitation and Workforce Development Program.
Effective August 1, 2018.
(Amends R.S. 13:5401(B)(1); adds R.S. 13:5401(B)(3)(d) and C.Cr.P. Art. 890.3(A)(3))