Protect louisiana values
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This is time to put victims first, stand with law enforcement, and take back our streets and neighborhoods.
-Governor Landry
Restoring Balance to our Criminal Justice System
Louisiana took action to make our communities safer and bring greater accountability to our criminal justice system. By strengthening consequences for violent crime, reforming sentencing and parole laws, addressing juvenile crime and supporting law enforcement, Louisiana has taken significant steps to restore law and order across our state.
The goal is simple: safer neighborhoods, stronger communities and a Louisiana where families can live, work and raise their children with confidence.
Protecting Victims & Law Enforcement
Delivering Justice for Victims
Louisiana strengthened its laws to support victims and their families while standing behind the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect our communities.
- Louisiana law allows three methods of execution: lethal injection, nitrogen hypoxia and electrocution.
- The law protects the identities of people and businesses involved in carrying out an execution.
- These changes addressed barriers that had prevented Louisiana from carrying out death sentences for years.
Standing Behind Law Enforcement
Louisiana strengthened protections for law enforcement officers doing their jobs in good faith.
- Officers now have greater protection from certain civil claims related to decisions made while carrying out their law enforcement duties.
- Those protections do not apply to criminal, fraudulent or intentional misconduct.
- The law helps protect officers from certain lawsuits while preserving consequences for serious misconduct.
Cracking Down on Crime
Louisiana strengthened its criminal justice laws to deliver tougher consequences for serious crimes, protect victims, and hold offenders accountable.
- The minimum sentence for carjacking increased from 2 years to 5 years.
- When a carjacking results in serious bodily injury, the minimum sentence increased from 10 years to 20 years.
- Louisiana created tougher penalties for distributing fentanyl when the drug or its packaging is designed in a way that appeals to children.
- Louisiana placed new limits on how frequently certain offenders can receive another parole hearing after parole is denied.
- Louisiana strengthened rules and time limits governing post-conviction challenges.
- Louisiana lowered the age threshold for juvenile court jurisdiction, meaning 17-year-olds accused of crimes are generally treated as adults, subject to exceptions provided by law.
- Louisiana strengthened secure placement requirements for juveniles adjudicated for certain serious and violent offenses.
Transparency &Truth in Sentencing
Louisiana changed its criminal justice laws to make sentences clearer, strengthen accountability and give the public greater access to information about criminal cases.
- For crimes committed on or after August 1, 2024, eligible offenders can earn good-time credit of up to 15% of their sentence, subject to exceptions provided by law.
- Most offenders convicted of crimes committed on or after August 1, 2024 are no longer eligible for parole, with limited exceptions provided by law.
- Louisiana created the Truth and Transparency in the Louisiana Criminal Justice System Program, providing public online access to information about criminal court proceedings.
- The online system includes information such as charges, bail decisions, court hearings, trials and sentences.
New Solutions to our biggest threats
Crime is rampant in the streets of New Orleans and drug addiction is a deadly epidemic across the state. It’s time to put new ideas to work to fix these persistent problems.
- Louisiana took new steps to strengthen public safety in New Orleans and address the impact of drug addiction across our state.
- Louisiana established and funded Troop NOLA, expanding the Louisiana State Police presence in New Orleans.
- Louisiana expanded drug testing and screening for certain offenders to identify those who may be eligible for drug and specialty court programs.
- The law allows certain opioid funds to help cover required drug testing and screening costs.
- Louisiana also provided for additional funding to support the administration of drug and specialty court programs.