Justice for the 10–2: Why HB 219 Matters Now

Across Louisiana, hundreds of individuals remain incarcerated under a system that has already been declared unconstitutional.

For decades, people could be convicted by non-unanimous jury verdicts — 10–2 decisions that denied the full protection of a unanimous jury. While this practice has since been ruled unconstitutional, many individuals are still serving sentences under those verdicts today.

House Bill 219 (HB 219) represents a critical step toward addressing this injustice.

This legislation seeks to provide a pathway for relief, an opportunity for those impacted to have their cases meaningfully reviewed.

At the JAI Foundation, we stand in support of efforts that bring fairness, accountability, and justice back into the system.

This moment is not just about policy.

It is about people. It is about families. It is about the right to a fair and unanimous verdict.

We encourage our community, faith leaders, and partners to stay informed, engage in the conversation, and take part in advocacy efforts that push this movement forward.

Justice requires action.

And the time is now.

We see the work behind the movement www.endjimcrowjuriesLA.org

and applaud all efforts in connecting our community.

— JAI Foundation