The state legislative special session on crime is currently in its third day and already several key bills have advanced their committees with more changes to follow.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says that there is no doubt about it, juvenile crime is at a level never seen before.
“We had a pursuit with a stolen vehicle and ended up with a 14yo driver and 12, 13, and 14yo passengers.”
Sheriff Lopinto says that it will take several systemic changes to get a handle on the issue as the current process is just not equipped for such.
“The system is just not made for the influx of young violent offenders that we’re getting.”
The topic of juveniles who commit crimes is a hot button one. One bill to lower the age at which a juvenile can be tried as an adult from eighteen years old to seventeen has seen its share of heated debate.
The sheriff says the lowering of the age during criminal justice reform measures was outpaced by the rapidly growing trend of younger offenders.
“We need to beef up the juvenile system as a whole.”