Orleans Parish DA Opposes the Passage of House Bill 664

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For Release
Wednesday, May 5, 2010

District Attorney Opposes the Passage of House Bill 664

(New Orleans, LA) – District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. will send a representative from his office to Baton Rouge to oppose House Bill 664. The bill, authored by Representative Walt Leger of New Orleans, is scheduled to be heard before the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee on Thursday, May 6th.

House Bill 664 repeals Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 334.3. Representative Neil Abramson authored Article 334.3 in 2008 to address the problem of violent criminals and drug dealers missing court without consequence. Pursuant to the terms of Article 334.3, a violent criminal or drug dealer, who is released on bail but refuses to appear in court, will not be allowed back on bail if he is arrested by a law enforcement agency.

Article 334.3 stops the revolving door of individuals missing court appearances and being re-released on bail without any consequence. Not only do individuals such as this constitute a threat to public safety, but also they impede the efficient administration of criminal justice. If House Bill 664 is adopted by the legislature, then the revolving door would once again be opened.

Regarding House Bill 664, Assistant District Attorney Christopher Bowman says, “The only people who benefit from House Bill 664 are violent criminals and drug dealers who refuse to appear in court pursuant to the conditions of their bail. If I was a legislator, that is not a constituency whose support I would be seeking to garner.”

District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. said of House Bill 664, “This bill represents a regression to the old methods of administering criminal justice. It was those methods that got us to where we are today. If we want to continue reforming our criminal justice system to protect the citizens of New Orleans from violent criminals, then there must be a consequence when individuals such as those covered by Article 334.3 refuse to appear in court.”

The Louisiana District Attorneys Association as well as local good government groups oppose House Bill 664 as well.

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CHRISTOPHER S. BOWMAN
Communications Director
Orleans Parish District Attorney
619 South White Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70119
Telephone: (504)827-6029
Telecopier: (504)571-2902