Case: In Re: C.B.

97-KA-2783 | Louisiana state supreme court

Filed Date: Sept. 3, 1997

Closed Date: March 4, 1998

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In 1997, in an effort to ease overcrowding in juvenile detention centers, the Louisiana Legislature enacted a law allowing the Department of Public Safety and Corrections [the Department] to transfer juveniles that had been adjudicated delinquent (not convicted of a crime) to adult facilities upon reaching the age of seventeen. LSA-RS 15:901.1 (effective July 14, 1997). Once transferred, the juveniles would be treated the same as the adult convicted felons and required to perform hard labor.…

In 1997, in an effort to ease overcrowding in juvenile detention centers, the Louisiana Legislature enacted a law allowing the Department of Public Safety and Corrections [the Department] to transfer juveniles that had been adjudicated delinquent (not convicted of a crime) to adult facilities upon reaching the age of seventeen. LSA-RS 15:901.1 (effective July 14, 1997). Once transferred, the juveniles would be treated the same as the adult convicted felons and required to perform hard labor.

On September 3, 1997, five juveniles filed a "Motion to Stay Transfers to "Adult Prisons" and an "Application for Preliminary Injunctive Relief" in the Juvenile Court for East Baton Rouge Parish. The juveniles contended that the law in question violated both the state and federal constitutions.

The Juvenile Court found that the law violated due process as guaranteed by the state constitution and issued a permanent injunction enjoining the Department from effectuating further transfers of juveniles in that parish. The Department requested a stay of the order pending appeal, which was denied. The juveniles requested that the injunction be expanded state wide to stay all juvenile transfers. That request was also denied. The Department appealed directly to the Louisiana Supreme Court.

On appeal the, Louisiana Supreme Court affirmed. It held that LSA-RS 15:902.1 as applied by Regulation B- 02-008 was unconstitutional as it violated the due process clause of our state constitution. The Supreme Court noted that the Juvenile Court did not differentiate whether it found the law to be unconstitutional on its face or as applied by the regulation. The decision left open the possibility that the Department could attempt to issue a different transfer regulation. In re C.B., 708 So.2d 391 (La. 1998).

We have no further information on this matter.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (2/21/2007)

People


Judge(s)

Calogero, Pascal F. (Louisiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Dixon, Stephen Andrew (Louisiana)

Attorney for Defendant

Finalet, Carlos M. III (Louisiana)

Ieyoub, Richard P. (Louisiana)

Kline, William Lester (Louisiana)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

97-KA-2783

Opinion

In Re: C.B., R.B., T.C., R.C., S.C., et al

March 4, 1998

March 4, 1998

Order/Opinion

708 So.2d 391

97-KA-2783

Opinion

In Re: C.B., R.B., T.C., R.C., S.C., et al

March 11, 1998

March 11, 1998

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:29 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Louisiana

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 3, 1997

Closing Date: March 4, 1998

Case Ongoing: Unknown

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All detained juveniles in the East Baton Rouge Parish that had been adjudicated delinquent (not convicted of a crime), who were subject to transfer to adult facilities upon reaching the age of seventeen.

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, State

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Order Duration: 1998 - None

Issues

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Youth / Adult separation