Louisiana Crime Victims Get Notice and a Voice After the Verdict

When a case ends, does it end for the victim?

For many families, sentencing is only one date on a long calendar. Years later a motion can reopen a conviction, a parole panel can meet, or a prisoner can ask for medical release. Three Louisiana laws make sure victims hear about those moments and can speak.

No trial court may grant a motion that vacates an otherwise final conviction, or resentences an imprisoned person to a lesser sentence, without first holding a hearing where the victim has the right to make a statement. The clerk of court must send the victim written notice of the motion.

The law comes with a remedy. A motion granted without that hearing is voidable as a patent error, and an appeals court can send the case back so the victim's statement can be considered. If the victim has died or cannot appear because of a disability, a designated family member stands in. The law gives victims no standing to intervene in the criminal case, and it applies going forward.

The parole committee must notify the district attorney and the attorney general in writing at least 90 days before a regular parole hearing. HB245 adds a deadline for medical parole and medical treatment furlough hearings: at least 30 days' notice. The same timelines apply to notice for the victim, or the spouse or next of kin of a deceased victim, and a victim can still opt out of notice in writing.

When the Board of Pardons and the parole committee hear testimony in executive session, a victim, a deceased victim's spouse or next of kin, or a victim's legal guardian can request a copy. HB322 bars any fees or costs for that copy. It also states that nothing in the section stops corrections officials or law enforcement from sharing information as state or federal law allows.

IPS supports all three laws. Each one is narrow, and each one keeps the people most harmed by a crime informed and heard.

All three passed both chambers without a no vote. HB251, sponsored by Rep. Mandie Landry (D) with eleven co-sponsors from both parties, passed the House 94-0 and the Senate 38-0 and became Act 538. HB245, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Fontenot (R), passed 95-0 and 33-0 and became Act 423. HB322, sponsored by Rep. Michael Melerine (R), passed 99-0 and 35-0 and became Act 300. HB251 and HB245 took effect August 1, 2026. HB322 took effect on the governor's signature, May 22, 2026.

A victim should never be surprised to learn from the evening news that the sentence changed.

This is our read of the law. We encourage you to read it yourself and reach your own conclusions.