NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Eight new laws were signed by Governor Jeff Landry during a ceremony at the Port of New Orleans on Wednesday, March 7.
They create stricter penalties for crimes like carjackings, illegal use of weapons and fentanyl distribution; and now 17-year-olds will automatically be tried as adults.
“For far too long, victims have walked around in our criminal justice system without a flashlight to be able to find their way to make sure that their justice is served,” Landry said.
Another new state law allows the release of certain criminal records for juveniles, something that did not pass out of the legislature last year.
Several victims and their family members got together and pushed for it again this year, finally getting it through to the governor’s desk.
“It’s really a great thing to feel like, as a normal person, that you could use your voice to make some change, to get something to actually happen,” said Sherilyn Price, the mother of Brandon “Boogie B” Montrell.
Family and friends of Linda Frickey, who was carjacked and killed back in 2022 in Mid-City, were also in attendance, saying these laws are a step in the right direction for the future of our state.
“The bills are signed and as I said they’ve been brought up to the level of today what they need to be in time. I think it will help and I think it will deter,” Linda Frickey’s sister-in-law, Kathy Richard said.
Landry said that the work of the victims the past couple of years was key to getting these bills signed.
“I am honored that he gave me chance to be a part of something. gave me a chance to do something positive with this horrible pain that I live with every day,” Price said.
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