Louisiana is caught up in the national opioid abuse epidemic. To curb the crisis, Governor John Bel Edwards recently signed a series of bills pertaining to the prescription of opioids. These laws restrict prescriptions and aim to block “doctor shopping.” With the sixth-highest opioid-prescribing rate in the country, lawmakers hope the new restrictions will prevent…
Individuals convicted of sex crimes in this country face more hardships beyond their sentence than those convicted of any other offense. Although laws aimed at people convicted of sex crimes intend to protect society, they often indirectly encourage harassment, ostracism, and even violence against sex offenders. If you are arrested for a sex crime in…
Education is the gateway to opportunity. Unfortunately, not everyone in the United States has keys to that gateway. In Louisiana, one out of every eighty-six adults is behind bars. The state is often dubbed “the world’s prison capital” as it holds more prisoners than anywhere else in the world. With some of the toughest sentencing…
All criminal charges are classified as an infraction, felony, or misdemeanor. While infractions are the least severe, both misdemeanor and felony charges face penalties such as steep fines, incarceration, probation, and more. The penalties for a charge are largely dependent on the circumstances surrounding the case. In the state of Louisiana, how individuals have been…
Due to nationwide implied consent laws, drivers who are stopped for DWI face a difficult decision. They can either proceed with the blood or breathalyzer test the officer wishes to conduct, or they can refuse the test to avoid providing incriminating evidence. Unfortunately, choosing the latter option can also lead to negative consequences. It is…
There is a first time for nearly everything in life. For Louisiana’s criminal offenders, the first arrest is often the consequence of poor decision-making. As a first-time offender, you are likely new to the criminal justice system and may be worried about having ended up on the wrong side of the law. The state government…
The governor of Louisiana recently signed a new bill into law, outlining the responsibilities of various law enforcement agencies and their roles in maintaining public safety. Dubbed the “Blue Lives Matter” bill, this bill makes it a felony hate crime to commit a criminal offense against a police officer. It also extends to resisting arrest…
Any case that goes to trial in front of a jury carries the possibility of a mistrial. A judge must declare a mistrial when the jury for a criminal trial cannot agree to a verdict. Such an occurrence can have benefits for the defendant, although there is always the chance that the case will be…
Those with diabetes could produce a false positive blood alcohol content (BAC) if they are given a breathalyzer test while experiencing low blood sugar. The symptoms of low blood sugar levels are very similar to being under the influence of alcohol. In many instances, police officers will not take the time to investigate if the…
DNA evidence is one of the most influential modern technologies in the criminal justice system. In the face of advanced technological scrutiny, DNA evidence has continued to be a dependable source of evidence for resolving criminal cases. Although it is difficult to argue with DNA evidence, new research suggests it is not as invincible as…