On March 30, 2026, Louisiana made headlines by passing a series of new criminal justice reform measures aimed at reducing mass incarceration and increasing fairness in the state's legal system.One of the key changes includes the elimination of non-unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases. Louisiana was the last state in the country to allow for split jury decisions, a practice with roots in the state's white supremacist past. With the new law, all felony convictions will now require a unanimous verdict from the jury.Another significant reform is the expansion of expungement eligibility for non-violent offenders. Previously, only certain misdemeanor convictions were eligible for expungement, but the new law allows for the removal of certain non-violent felony convictions from a person's record after a specified period of time.Additionally, the new measures aim to provide more opportunities for rehabilitation and reentry for individuals in the criminal justice system. This includes increased funding for diversion programs, substance abuse treatment, and job training for incarcerated individuals.Advocates for the reforms believe that these changes will help to reduce recidivism rates and address the racial disparities that have long plagued the state's criminal justice system. Louisiana has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, with a disproportionate number of Black individuals behind bars.Governor John Smith, who championed the reform package, expressed his optimism about the positive impact these changes will have on the state. "These reforms represent a significant step forward in our efforts to create a more fair and equitable criminal justice system in Louisiana," said Governor Smith in a statement.The new laws will go into effect immediately, marking a historic moment in Louisiana's ongoing efforts to reform its criminal justice system. With these changes, the state hopes to create a more just and rehabilitative approach to addressing crime and punishment.