Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards Tuesday signed into law a bill that prohibits public release of most booking photos prior to the subject’s conviction. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis is the bill’s author. He says the law will only apply to mug shots of people booked with non-violent offenses.
"We want to honor the constitutional principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and mug shots are generally prejudicial; regardless of the outcome. Regardless if the person was released on mistaken identity, or if they’re ultimately found not guilty." Duplessis said.
The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and some others, have already made policy that prohibits mug shots at the time of arrest. Duplessis says he brought the legislation because mug shots are hardly ever retracted if a person was found not guilty.
"It will ensure that people who are not convicted don’t have this mug shot following them around for the rest of their life, like a digital Scarlet Letter," Duplessis said.
Duplessis says his bill will apply only to those arrested for non-violent offenses, and publicizing a mug shot will be okay if the subject is a wanted fugitive, considered dangerous, and/or a threat to public safety.
"We just trying to ensure that someone’s reputation or standing in the community isn’t unfairly harmed," said Duplessis. "That’s the goal, and that’s the balance we’re trying to strike."
