Louisiana court may reopen window for lawsuits by adult victims of childhood sex abuse

2024-12-25 20:59:11 source:lotradecoin liquidity category:My

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana’s Supreme Court agreed Friday to reconsider its recent ruling that wiped out a state law giving adult victims of childhood sexual abuse a renewed opportunity to file damage lawsuits.

The law was passed by the Louisiana Legislature in 2021 and amended in 2022. Sometimes called a “look back” law, it gave victims of past abuse, whose deadlines for filing civil lawsuits had expired, until June 14 of this year to file — a deadline that could be extended until June of 2027 under pending legislation. At the time, its chief sponsor, Rep. Jason Hughes, a New Orleans Democrat, cited research that showed the average age for child sex abuse victims to report the crimes is 52.

In a 4-3 ruling in March, the state’s highest court had said the law conflicted with due process rights in the state constitution. Justices James Genovese, Scott Crichton, Jefferson Hughes and Piper Griffin had been in the majority in March. But in Friday’s order, Crichton and Griffin joined Chief Justice John Weimer and justices Jay McCallum and William Crain in granting a rehearing.

“This was the right decision — as the bill passed unanimously through the State Legislature and should be the law here in Louisiana,” Louisiana Attorney Gen. Liz Murrill said in a news release.

READ MORE ‘Where’s Ronald Greene’s justice?': 5 years on, feds still silent on Black motorist’s deadly arrest Advocates ask Supreme Court to back Louisiana’s new, mostly Black House district Louisiana lawmakers reject adding exceptions of rape and incest to abortion ban

Friday’s decision comes as the Catholic Church continues to deal with the ramifications of a decades-old sex scandal. The ruling that is getting a second look arose from a case filed against the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette by plaintiffs who said they were molested by a priest in the 1970s while they ranged in age from 8 to 14, according to the Supreme Court record.

The rehearing decision follows last week’s revelation that Louisiana State Police carried out a sweeping search warrant in April at the Archdiocese of New Orleans, seeking records and communications between local church leaders and the Vatican about the church’s handling of clergy sexual abuse.

Friday’s order did not set a new court date for arguments on the look back law, but it gave parties until May 20 to file briefs. The new majority didn’t assign reasons for granting a rehearing, although Weimer said the court should have set a hearing for this month.

Hughes criticized the decision in a brief dissent saying civilizations have provided time limits on legal claims for centuries.

“Special interest exceptions are anathema to the broader and more important concept of Justice,” he wrote. “Equal protection means equal.”

More:My

Recommend

Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled to Eastern Europe is in custody, online records show

GREEN LAKE, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man who faked his own drowningand left his wife and three childr

Disney trips meant for homeless students went to NYC school employees’ kids, officials say

NEW YORK (AP) — Six employees of New York City’s public school system took their children or grandch

John Leguizamo celebrates diverse Emmy winners, nominees with emotional speech

John Leguizamo delivered a stirring message about representation at Sunday's Emmy Awards.The "Chef"