A highly controversial proposal, Amendment 3 would remove current constitutional limits on which felony crimes juveniles can be prosecuted as adults for, allowing the legislature to expand the list without voter approval.
Under current law, juveniles can only be tried as adults for 16 violent felony offenses (such as murder, aggravated burglary, and rape). This amendment would let lawmakers expand the list of crimes with a two-thirds vote—a change opponents warn could result in more minors being sent to adult prisons.
Arguments For and Against
Supporters argue:
- The current list of 16 crimes is outdated, and new offenses like carjacking and fentanyl distribution should be included.
- This measure simply allows the legislature to adjust the list, ensuring it reflects modern crime trends.
Opponents counter:
- Youth incarceration rates in Louisiana are already among the highest in the country, and treating more juveniles as adults could worsen recidivism.
- The current system already allows prosecutors to transfer serious juvenile cases to adult court—so this change is unnecessary.
The Bottom Line
A vote for Amendment 3 means trusting the legislature to expand the list of crimes for which juveniles can be prosecuted as adults without voter approval. A vote against retains the existing constitutional safeguards on youth prosecution.
