Pelican State News

BATON ROUGE, LA – Attorney General Jeff Landry praised the Louisiana House of Representatives for advancing HB 321, legislation aimed at giving the public greater access to information in their criminal justice system. The bill, authored by Representative Debbie Villio, would allow crime victims and citizens to easily view decisions and actions happening in criminal cases impacting their lives and communities.

In a short HD video message, Attorney General Landry credited victims of crime for giving the measure a loud voice.

“Crime is out of control; and with Louisiana having three of the top ten most dangerous cities in the Country, people around our State have had enough,” said Attorney General Landry. “So I applaud the House of Representatives for passing HB 321, an important step toward exposing the failures in our criminal justice system.”

“I am thankful for the leadership of Representative Villio and the bravery of crime victims who have shared their stories to help us get closer to solutions for the violent crime destroying Louisiana,” added Attorney General Landry. “The public deserves to know how hardened juvenile offenders are being allowed to recommit crimes of violence, what judges are setting low bail for violent criminals, and how often district attorneys are refusing or pleading down these cases.”

On May 11's House passage comes on the heels of numerous high-profile crimes including a teenager accused in series of rapes in Algiers, three teens accused of armed robbery spree in New Orleans, and four juveniles accused in Gentilly crime spree linked to additional crimes.

#

HB 321 passed the Louisiana House of Representatives today by a vote of 63-36. It passed the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice on April 26 in a bipartisan 13-2 vote.

Original source can be found here.