Public Juvenile Records Bill Passes

Republicans in the House of the Louisiana Legislature, passed a bill that, if it became law, would make records of juveniles accused and convicted of crimes public. House Bill 321, along with passage in the Senate would “create an online portal where the records of juveniles convicted of certain crimes can be viewed”. Juvenile records had always been shielded from the public but now Republicans are saying that this legislation is needed in the name of “public safety”, which does not pass the smell test when a test pilot program would be conducted in Caddo, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans Parishes. One other thing to note is that those three parishes are predominantly Black. They couldn’t find a parish that is predominately White. Crime does happen there also but even when one looks at the optics, race comes into play. Republicans are saying that race “has nothing” to do with where the program will begin, that it is in fact, “race-neutral”. They say that the public has a right to know, as it is about public safety. “The public has a right to know”, said Rep. Debbie Villio. Villio also said that “the victims have been drowned out by the media by social justice theories that lower the bar on offender accountability”. NAACP Orleans Branch President Ronald Coleman vehemently disagreed, saying “I find it very racist because that’s where the majority of African Americans youths are having problems in their community”. The argument seems to be with those that may see some benefits from the program is that it specifically targets youth in Black communities as a threat. Some will go further and say that the bill targets all Black youth as a threat. A Black kid gets lost, knocks on the wrong door, and gets shot is a prime example.

Why are Republicans now going after juvenile records? Because, one with a supermajority in the legislature can override a veto if it makes it to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk. Secondly, there is an election coming up, as Edwards is on the swan song of his term, and candidate Jeff Landry would like to lock up the nomination sooner rather than later, but most importantly, it will allow people to look inside the courthouse, inside the records, inside the previous court cases, inside what goes on inside the courtroom, people can see what’s really going on, believes one law enforcement official; and that is what Republicans want. They want to see judges attacked for how they litigate juvenile cases, particularly cases involving Black youth, and perhaps some White judges also. A few Republicans did express reservations about the proposed program, calling it “reckless and irresponsible” to implement such a program. The bill will go to the Senate where funding will have to be allocated to operate the program. No funding, no program. Republicans will find the money from somewhere, even if they have to take more of it from teacher’s pay raises. It is difficult not to see race in the details without spelling it out. Everyone is for safety, even those in Caddo, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans Parishes but it is easier to divide rather than look for common ground in order to solve complex issues. A house divided will not stand. How can two walk together unless they agree? Perhaps some of that is missing.