Louisiana Law Youth Concern

Louisiana recently enacted a law that requires all 17-year-olds to be treated as adults in the criminal justice system, reversing previous legislation that raised the age of adult prosecution to 18. The change, driven by lawmakers and law enforcement officials, arguing that prosecuting teens in adult court would reduce violent crime. A recent review of arrests in the state's three largest parishes shows that nearly 70% of the 17-year-olds arrested have not been accused of violent crimes but instead face charges for lesser offenses, such as property damage, theft, and marijuana possession, rais...