Louisiana Lawmakers Push To Try Children As Adults

A new law in Louisiana could make it much easier for children under 17 to be put on trial as an adult. The Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate have already approved Senate Bill 2, which the voters will ultimately decide next year.

• Senate Bill 2 would allow a court to dismiss juvenile procedures for an individual under 17
• Senate Bill 2 will be on the ballot next year
  • Read below and find out when

Get our free mobile app

While you may have already heard about the changes coming to Louisiana's tax laws, another measure will be on the ballot at the same time. On Friday, November 22nd, the Louisiana House of Representatives gave Senate Bill 2 (SB2) the minimum amount of required votes to pass through the House.

SB2 will allow a court to charge and try a juvenile as an adult in select cases. It would require a vote by both the Louisiana House and Senate to allow a court to try a teenager as an adult either by waiving juvenile procedures in individual cases, lowering the maximum age of who can be tried as a juvenile, or "certain felony offenses provided by law."

Already in Louisiana teens aged 14 to 16 can already be tried as an adult in cases of violent crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping, murder/attempted murder, rape, etc.

SB2 was drafted by Senator Heather Cloud of Turkey Creek, Louisiana. Senator Cloud has stated her desire to make SB2 apply to carjacking, drive-by shootings, and human trafficking. SB2 co-sponsor Rep. Debbie Villio made an amendment to the bill which in its original unamended text would have allowed future lawmakers to move juvenile minors to adult prisons for "any crime."

Senate Bill 2 will be on the ballot for Louisiana voters on March 29th, 2025.