Prosecutors will get more power when defendants waive jury trials

By: Wesley Muller

Outlets: Louisiana Illuminator

Published: June 4, 2026

Words: 652

Last Updated: 1 week ago

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Criminal defendants’ right to waive jury trials will be more complicated in Louisiana after lawmakers passed new legislation at the request of Attorney General Liz Murrill.

House Bill 310, sponsored by Rep. Josh Carlson, R-Lafayette, allows a prosecutor to move a case to a new judge, selected at random, whenever a defendant waives their constitutional right to a trial by jury. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill into law Friday, and it takes …

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