In a significant move toward rectifying a long-standing injustice, the Louisiana State Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-1 on April 29, 2025, to advance Senate Bill 218, authored by Senator Royce Duplessis. The bill seeks to provide a legal pathway for individuals still incarcerated due to non-unanimous jury convictions—a vestige of the Jim Crow era. Non-unanimous […]
Once again, kratom ban in Louisiana lawmakers are trying to legislate fear instead of facts. Senate Bill 154 would outlaw kratom entirely — a plant that thousands across the state rely on for relief, recovery, and resilience. It’s a move that speaks more to political performance and social control than public health. Let’s get this […]
When Democrat John Bel Edwards’ progressive legacy was elected governor of Louisiana in 2015, few expected the West Point graduate from Amite to become one of the most consequential leaders for New Orleans in recent memory. In a deep red state, Edwards defied expectations—not by loud partisanship, but by delivering quiet, pragmatic progress that reshaped […]
Many Republican lawmakers have attempted to link that rise in crime to criminal justice reforms in more liberal states and cities. However, a recent study found that's simply not the case.
On Thursday, the New Orleans City Council passed a resolution urging the dismissal of more than 55,000 outstanding municipal and traffic warrants, fees, and fines. This resolution makes New Orleans a leader among U.S. cities in fine and fee reform. According to Councilmember-At-Large Jason Williams, this resolution addresses the “debtor’s prisons” and the cycle of […]
The City of Yes wants to hear from you. From all of you. Earlier this week Mayor LaToya Cantrell posted an invitation to a community discussion on the New Orleans justice system on her Facebook page: “As part of The Sanford “Sandy” Krasnoff New Orleans Criminal Justice Council’s strategic planning process, we’re seeking input from the […]
On Wednesday, the Louisiana legislature will vote on seven different criminal justice reform bills. We have a rundown of what each one does. HB37: Extends parole eligibility for some currently incarcerated mentors This bill ensures parole eligibility for those inmates who have served as mentors in the Department of Public Safety and Corrections’ inmate rehabilitation […]
Criminal justice reform is of major interest to more than those with families in targeted neighborhoods and those with disadvantaged backgrounds.
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