Caddo Parish Commission set to deliberate on Senate Bill 218

The Caddo Parish Commission is set to deliberate on a controversial resolution expressing support for Senate Bill 218, a proposed Louisiana state law that would grant post-conviction relief to individuals convicted by non-unanimous jury verdicts, a practice the U.S. Supreme Court has deemed unconstitutional but which still impacts many imprisoned Louisianans.

The resolution, if adopted, would align Caddo Parish with growing momentum across the state to reckon with a Jim Crow-era legal relic that disproportionately affected Black defendants. But the measure is not without its critics, who warn of unintended consequences for victims and the criminal justice system as a whole.

The Case For Senate Bill 218

Supporters of the resolution and SB 218 argue that justice demands retroactive review of convictions reached by split juries. Until 2018, Louisiana allowed non-unanimous jury decisions (10-2 or 11-1) to secure felony convictions. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Ramos v. Louisiana that this practice was unconstitutional, citing its racist origins and the need for jury unanimity to uphold due process. Civil rights organizations, legal scholars, and formerly incarcerated individuals argue that hundreds remain behind bars due to flawed, outdated legal standards. They stress that SB 218 does not automatically free anyone, it just provides a path for those convicted by non-unanimous juries to seek a new hearing or trial.

The Case Against Senate Bill 218

Opponents of the resolution and SB 218 raise concerns about the practical and emotional consequences of reopening decades-old cases. District attorneys across Louisiana have argued that widespread post-conviction relief would strain resources, retraumatize victims, and undermine public confidence in the finality of convictions. Critics also point out that in many non-unanimous jury cases, the evidence of guilt was overwhelming, and jurors who dissented may have done so for reasons unrelated to innocence. Victim advocacy groups have voiced concern as well. 

Local Impact

Caddo Parish has one of the highest rates of non-unanimous jury convictions in the state. If SB 218 passes, dozens of cases from the parish could become eligible for review. The Commission’s resolution does not change the law itself but signals local support for the state legislature to act. As Louisiana continues grappling with the legacy of its criminal justice system, the Caddo Parish Commission’s stance could help shape the future direction of the debate.