The switch to make Louisiana juries come to unanimous decisions will face a tough test in the House Criminal Justice committee today. Currently only 10 out of twelve jurors have to agree if someone is guilty of a crime. A proposed constitutional amendment seeks to make all felony convictions unanimous. Christie Smith is the legislative liaison for the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Smith says, "This bill seeks to install the same system that works in 49 other states and all federal courts including those in Louisiana."
The measure has already passed the Senate, despite concerns the proposal will make it more difficult to get convictions. Smith says that’s not the case.
Smith says, "The truth of the matter is if you look at our experiences in Louisiana in the federal system, the conviction rate is somewhere in the very high 90s, 98% or better."
Smith also says if you compare Texas and Mississippi they both are getting their share of convictions with a standard of unanimous juries.
Smith expresses, "A unanimous jury is not a barrier for reaching a verdict. Just look at Texas. Our neighbors Texas and Mississippi don't have any difficulty reaching verdicts and convictions."
That House committee is made up of 10 Republicans, 8 Democrats, 1 independent.