Crimes Louisiana Juveniles Can be Tried as Adults Could Change

On March, 29, 2025, there will be 4 constitutional amendments on the ballots you can expect to be voting for or against.

One of those constitutional amendments, Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3, which if voted in would change who decides which crimes are serious enough for juveniles under 17 to be tried as adults.

What Is Louisiana Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3?

If passed on March 29, 2025, Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3 would give the Louisiana legislature the power to decide which crimes committed in Louisiana a juvenile can be tried as an adult.

In Louisiana, a juvenile is officially between 10 and 17-years-old.

According to powercoalition.org, the constitution currently lists serious crimes that juveniles can be tried as adults as the following -

1. Murder (first or second degree)

2. Manslaughter

3. Rape (aggravated, forcible, or simple)

4. Armed robbery

5. Kidnapping (aggravated or second degree)

6. Multiple serious drug offenses (like selling drugs)

7. Repeat offenses for crimes like burglary or aggravated battery

If Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3 passes in March of 2025, the current list of serious crimes that juveniles can be tried as an adult would be removed from the Louisiana constitution.

So, if the list of serious offenses if removed from Louisiana's constitution, then who decides what crimes are serious enough for juveniles to be tried as adults?

This is exactly what opponents to the Amendment are taking issue with.

If passed, powercoalition.org reports that -

"The Louisiana legislature would have the power to decide which crimes could lead to a juvenile being tried as an adult. This would allow lawmakers to change the rules over time without needing a constitutional amendment.

This change means that children under the age of 17 could be put in adult prisons at a higher rate."

So, it basically boils down to this...

If you feel the list of serious crimes to try juveniles as adults currently listed in Louisiana's constitution is what it should be and should not be changed, vote "No" on March 29, 2025.

If you feel the list of serious crimes to charge juveniles as adults currently listed in Louisiana's constitution isn't what it should be, and want the Louisiana legislature to have the power to decide what crimes are serious enough to try juveniles as adults, vote "Yes" on March 29, 2025.

You can read more at powercoalition.org.