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SB 218

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Provides relative to post conviction relief for defendants convicted by a non-unanimous jury verdict. (8/1/25)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Royce Duplessis

SB 218 allows post-conviction relief for Louisiana defendants convicted by non-unanimous jury verdicts, addressing constitutional changes from the 2020 Ramos ruling.

Reconsidered. Read by title; returned to the Calendar, subject to call.
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Bill Summary · SB 218

Legislative bill overview

SB 218 would provide post-conviction relief mechanisms for defendants in Louisiana who were convicted based on non-unanimous jury verdicts. The bill appears designed to address cases where convictions were secured without full jury consensus, potentially allowing defendants to petition for new trials or sentence reconsideration under specified conditions.

Why is this important

This issue directly affects criminal justice outcomes and fairness. Non-unanimous jury verdicts (typically 10-2 or 11-1 votes) have historically been permitted in Louisiana and Oregon—making them outliers among U.S. states. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Ramos v. Louisiana (2020) that jury unanimity is constitutionally required for serious crimes, creating a retroactivity question: whether this applies to convictions already secured under the old non-unanimous standard. This bill addresses that gap.

Potential points of contention

  • Retroactive application scope: Determining which convictions qualify and establishing workable retroactive procedures could strain court systems and create resource demands
  • Victim and law enforcement concerns: Defense advocates prioritize fairness; prosecutors and victims' rights groups may worry about retrials, conviction reversals, and case closure uncertainty
  • Practical implementation: The bill's specific eligibility criteria, burden of proof, and evidentiary standards would significantly affect how many defendants gain relief and courts' administrative capacity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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