Lawrence Hecker : Louisiana Supreme Court to Rehear Child Sexual Abuse Case, Allowing Victims to Sue

By | May 10, 2024

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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Louisiana Supreme Court child sexual abuse victims
2. Rehear case child sexual abuse victims Louisiana

The Louisiana state supreme court has agreed to reconsider its decision on a law allowing victims to file civil lawsuits over past abuse, following a child sex-trafficking investigation involving the Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans. This decision comes after five justices voted in favor of a rehearing, with Chief Justice John Weimer suggesting a hearing before the end of May. The court’s initial ruling in March had dismayed survivors of clergy abuse in the state. The reconsideration is seen as a victory for child sexual abuse survivors, supported by former attorney general Jeff Landry and current attorney general Liz Murrill, who filed a brief urging the high court to reconsider its decision.

1. Louisiana child sexual abuse victims rights
2. Louisiana legal system child abuse cases

The Reconsideration of a Law in Louisiana

Weeks after the Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans was identified as the subject of a child sex-trafficking investigation, the Louisiana state supreme court has agreed to reconsider its decision to strike down a law that had allowed victims to file civil lawsuits over long-ago abuse. This decision comes as a significant development in the state’s efforts to address decades-old clergy abuse scandals.

Justices Reconsidering the Case

Five of the court’s justices voted in favor of rehearing a case that produced a 4-3 ruling in March, dismaying survivors of the state’s clergy abuse scandal. The judges voting for a rare rehearing were chief justice John Weimer, who suggested a hearing before the end of May, and associate justices Scott Crichton, William Crain, Jay McCallum, and Piper Griffin. Griffin and Crichton, who had initially formed part of the majority that struck down the law, signaled their wish to reconsider their vote by helping grant only the second of 19 rehearing requests since the start of 2023.

Disagreements Among the Justices

Justices Jefferson Davis Hughes III and James Genovese dissented from the majority, with Hughes issuing a strong written dissent that drew attention to the importance of fairness in the legal system. Hughes’s discomfort with revisiting March’s decision is likely to mean little to the attorneys for the plaintiff at the center of the case, who have been advocating for justice for survivors of abuse.

Support for the Reconsideration

Former attorney general Jeff Landry and his successor, Liz Murrill, have supported the law that is now under reconsideration by the court. Murrill expressed her satisfaction with the decision to grant a rehearing, emphasizing the importance of defending victims of sexual abuse. The support from key figures in the legal system indicates a positive step towards justice for survivors.

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The Church’s Stance

The Roman Catholic diocese of Lafayette had requested the ruling now under reconsideration, arguing that the lookback law was unconstitutional as it eliminated deadlines for old claims. The church maintained that it had a vested right not to be sued once the original deadline to file a lawsuit had passed, highlighting complex legal arguments surrounding the issue.

Recent Developments

The temperature on the issue has ramped up considerably in the last two weeks, after reports emerged of state police investigating the archdiocese of New Orleans for child sex trafficking and a cover-up over many decades. These revelations have added urgency to the legal proceedings and underscored the importance of addressing historical injustices.

Implications for Survivors

The reconsideration of the law holds significant implications for survivors of abuse, with the potential for justice to be served and accountability to be upheld. The decision to revisit the ruling signals a commitment to addressing past wrongs and providing support for those who have suffered.

In conclusion, the decision to reconsider the law in Louisiana represents a crucial step towards justice for survivors of abuse and highlights the ongoing efforts to address historical injustices in the state.

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