See the various issues on which NACDL has conducted criminal justice advocacy in Louisiana. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see active legislation in Louisiana that NACDL is tracking. 

Bar Association Report Calls for Statewide Defense System in Louisiana Malia Brink

Indigent Defense: Louisiana From The Ground . . . Up Malia Brink

New Report Condemns Indigent Defense System In New Orleans Malia Brink

National Defender Organizations Join to Express Opposition to Louisiana Public Defender Overhaul Legislation

NACDL worked with partners to support legislation expanding voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals.

We write to voice our opposition to Senate Bill 8, a bill that would replace the multi-stakeholder Louisiana Public Defender Board with a state public defender selected by the Governor. If enacted, this legislation would significantly undermine the independence of the defense function in Louisiana, further eroding the community’s trust in our legal institutions and negatively impacting public safety, while wholly failing to address the core need of the state’s public defense system – a stable and robust stream of funding to insure the provision of constitutionally effective representation.

Recently enacted revisions to the Louisiana abortion regulation scheme render intentionally causing an abortion (including administering, prescribing, providing or selling on the internet any drugs or substances) by anyone, including licensed physicians but excepting the pregnant woman, from the point at which a pregnancy is "clinically diagnosable" (blood or urine test or ultrasound possible that indicates implantation has occurred), a criminal offense subject to terms of imprisonment from 1 to 10 years and fines. The prohibition does not provide an exception for rape or incest.  

Nation’s Defense Bar Decries Louisiana Bill to Create a Crime of Approaching Within 25 Feet of an On-Duty Law Enforcement Officer – Washington, DC (May 4, 2023) – Approaching a police officer on duty who orders otherwise or simply being within 25 feet of them could become a misdemeanor in Louisiana, punishable by a $500 fine or a jail term of up to 60 days, under legislation moving through the Louisiana House.

Public defense issues and developments in Louisiana

The crisis in public defense in Louisiana has been well-documented by the news media over the past several years. Stories of overloaded public defenders, unrepresented individuals languishing in jail, and mass pleas have shocked the nation’s conscience, but the system’s shortcomings have long evaded reform. However, much coverage of the public defense crisis in Louisiana, the state with the highest incarceration rate in the nation, has focused its attention on the consequences of the crisis rather than its causes. [Released March 2017]

04-05405 (La. 14th J.D)

An NACDL-supported class action filed by pro bono counsel at Baker Botts LLP and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, the suit alleged that deficiencies in the Calcasieu Parish public defense system were so extreme that defendants were being denied their right to counsel as guaranteed by the U.S. and Louisiana Constitutions. The lawsuit alleged that due to substantial under-funding, public defender clients did not have their cases properly investigated, had infrequent communication with their attorneys, and experienced extraordinary delays in the processing of their cases.

NACDL is providing resources regarding the Criminalization of Pregnancy and Reproductive Health to the criminal defense community. Resources are provided without warranty or guarantee. Please consult the laws and rules of your state and local authorities. Please log in to access them. Membership is NOT required.

NACDL supports abolition of the death penalty in Louisiana and all other states that continue to utilize it. 

Policies and rulings on lengthy imprisonment terms in Louisiana.