Juvenile crime is on the minds of Louisiana lawmakers in 2023. This week, two state representatives discussed potential legislation regarding juvenile crimes.
State Rep. Laurie Schlegel (R) joined WWL's Newell Normand to discuss House Bill 84. She hopes it will have an impact on juvenile carjacking crimes.
“Juvenile judges have more discretion than almost any other judge in the criminal justice system in the state of Louisiana,” Normand explained. “And we’ve heard the horror stories that have existed out there in the manner in which in a very cavalier way that they are allowing juveniles to get back on the street after committing violent felony offenses.”
“In the last four years, carjackings have doubled that are committed by juveniles,” Schlegel said.
Last month, Normand spoke to the family of Laura Frickey, a woman who died after her arm was ripped off during a carjacking. Four teen suspects have been linked with the crime.
State House Rep. Stephanie Hilferty (R) also spoke with WWL’s Tommy Tucker this week about House Bill 160. That bill proposes changes to the juvenile justice system that would bring repeat violent juvenile offender cases out into the open.
As for House Bill 84, Schlegel said she realized that juvenile carjacking offenders can get probation.
“I wanted to rectify that and put carjacking in line with armed robbery as offense, because carjacking is a very serious violent crime,” she explained. “And so that’s what House Bill 84 does… put carjacking in line with armed robbery.”
Listen to her full conversation with Normand here.
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