Judge denies restraining order against Louisiana lawmakers

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A District Court Judge Friday denied a request for a temporary restraining order seeking to block state lawmakers from considering several pieces of crime-related legislation during the ongoing crime special session.

Judge Beau Higginbotham made the ruling at 11am Friday, following a nearly two hour hearing on the matter.

Several community groups claim lawmakers were considering the legislation too quickly and not allowing enough time for public comment.

Specifically, they asked for a restraining order to stop lawmakers from considering House Bills 4, 6, 9 and 10.

House Bill 4 would limit the ability of prosecutors to cut back the time on certain prison sentences.

House Bill 6 deals with electrocutions and adding nitrogen gas and electrocution as ways to carry out death sentences.

House Bill 9 proposed to eliminate the possibility of parole for adults convicted of crimes going forward.

House Bill 10 aims to reduce the ease at which “good behavior time” is calculated for inmates.

Governor Jeff Landry called the special session, which began Monday, for lawmakers to tackle a slew of legislation aimed at toughing laws regarding crime.

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