Jefferson and Orleans Parish State House Representative Stephanie Hilferty has pre-filed House Bill 160, which proposes changes to juvenile justice system.
Speaking with WWL’s Tommy Tucker, Hilferty says her bill includes bringing repeat violent juvenile offenders cases out into the open.
“In the case of second offense felonies, and violent crimes, it opens up those proceedings to the public,” Hilferty explains. “Anyone in the community, if a violent crime has occurred I think anybody has a right to know who committed that violent crime. And so this would open up those proceedings.”
Hilferty also touched on the bill increasing the level of safety and security for victims when testifying.
“One is that it provides victims and family members the ability to attend juvenile court via zoom when available,” She says. “Victims may not want to have to sit right next to the accused perpetrator. It asks that the court make accommodations such that the victim can be comfortable and feel safe.”
Victim’s rights is something Hilferty works at perfecting. In 2022 Hilferty was able to lobby for the passage of a bill regarding the Crime Victims Reparations Fund.
“In last year’s legislative session, I ran legislation which passed which increased the maximum award and also increased the emergency award and this is the award that somebody can access relatively quickly when they’re in imminent danger and need to move quickly.”