Louisiana has some of the country’s harshest sentencing laws. For example, about 15% of Louisiana’s prison population is currently serving life without the possibility of parole. In Louisiana, defendants must receive this sentence after being convicted of second-degree murder. The legal definition of second-degree murder causes some individuals who did not directly or intentionally kill the victim to be charged with second-degree murder. People who did not know that a murder would occur or did not intend to commit murder can still be charged with second-degree murder just for being present when the killing occurred.
Life without parole is a strict sentence that does not allow for any rehabilitation or reentry into society. When defending yourself against second-degree murder charges, you must secure rigorous legal representation. You need an experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight for you and raise any relevant defenses that might get your charges lessened or dropped. At John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, our team of skilled criminal defense attorneys is dedicated to protecting defendants from serving life without parole.
Automatic Life Without Parole for Second-Degree Murder Convictions
In Louisiana, the mandatory sentence for second-degree murder is life without the possibility of parole. The legal definition of second-degree murder encompasses drug-induced homicide and felony murder. Essentially, a person who committed a felony that was related to the victim’s death would be charged with second-degree murder even if the defendant did not commit the killing or know a killing would occur.
The ramifications of serving life without parole are severe. Not only do you lose any possibility of reentry into society, you also lose any motivation for rehabilitation. The purpose of parole is to reward inmates for their good behavior by giving them the chance to return to society. Without the chance of parole, many inmates will never rehabilitate, and they lose all hope for the future. This is why defendants facing life without parole as a possible sentence must do everything they can to defend themselves against the prosecution.
The Potential For Louisiana Sentencing Laws to Change
Louisiana’s sentencing laws are extremely harsh, and some people make compelling arguments for why the laws need to change. The following are a few reasons why people believe parole should be offered after a certain number of years for people convicted of second-degree murder:
- People are less likely to commit crimes after a certain age.
- Logically, a getaway driver or other party should not necessarily receive the same sentence as the person who pulls the trigger.
- Keeping so many inmates in prison for life is expensive and could be seen as a misuse of resources.
- Parole is an incentive for inmates to improve their behavior and turn away from criminal activity.
People who commit first-degree murder have the specific intent to kill, but people who commit second-degree murder do not have to have intent to kill or even know that a killing will occur. This is why some people argue that defendants convicted of second-degree murder should be given the chance of parole after serving a prison sentence for a certain number of years. Having the chance to rehabilitate and return to society ultimately benefits the inmate and society as a whole.
Reach Out to the Aggressive Litigators With John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm for Legal Representation Today
Life without parole is an incredibly harsh sentence, and the state of Louisiana will impose this sentence on anyone convicted of second-degree murder. If you or a loved one have received charges for second-degree murder, you will need strong legal representation from a dedicated criminal defense attorney who wants to protect your future. Our team of skilled lawyers has defended countless clients against second-degree murder charges, and we may be able to help you.
You should not hesitate to reach out to the John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm to discuss your second-degree murder charges. To contact us, you can fill out our contact form or call (318) 377-1555 today.