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Louisiana House proposes habitual offender bill
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LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Last week, House Bill 11, also known as the Segus Jolivette Act, was introduced to legislators to implement harsher sentencing for repeat offenders. This comes after Sr. Cpl. Segus Jolivette was killed in the line of duty nearly a year ago.
Louisiana State Representative Chad Boyer authored HB 11, saying "It ensures that those with multiple violent felony convictions face real consequences."
Boyer, along with Sr. Cpl. Jolivette's family and law enforcement appeared in front of lawmakers, urging them to pass the bill to "protect communities from repeat offenders."
HB 11 proposes that a repeat offender serve a minimum of 50% of the maximum sentence on the third conviction and 75% on the fourth or more conviction. Boyer says this bill is about accountability, justice for victims and preventing future tragedies.
Alexis Jolivette, the wife of Sr. Cpl. Jolivette gave her testimony in support of the bill.
"It was that day one person's fate being released early from prison stole the life of someone who was worth more than good behavior or time served," she said. "It was that day that I learned that this person had multiple convictions, which included a 10-year sentence and was released early each time."
Alexis says her goal is to spread awareness and show firsthand the effects of the current law in place. She tearfully shared how men and women like her husband are forced to face unknown threats when dealing with habitual offenders.
"The bullet that killed my husband did not come from Nyjal Hurst's weapon," she said. "That is my reality. I was torn, torn between the badge my husband stood for and the person who initiated it."
In addition to Jolivette's family sharing their testimony, law enforcement was also present to share their support of the bill. Duson Chief of Police Kip Judice asks that the committee forward the bill to the floor.
Detective Charles Broussard Jr., with the Lafayette Police Department and president of the Police Association of Lafayette, shares that the bill isn't about vengeance but public safety.
"It's about restoring credibility to our justice system and ensuring that dangerous repeat offenders, violent offenders, do not get another chance to harm our community and or our police officers," said Broussard.
At the request of Boyer, HB 11 was voluntarily deferred to be amended. Legislators will vote to either pass the bill or not at a later date.