Photo by Brooke Thorington
Legislation to make burglary of an inhabited dwelling a crime of violence advances from Senate Judiciary C. The bill already cleared the House 73 to 28. Bill author Jefferson Parish Representative Debbie Villio said single women with children are the most popular victims of this crime and guns are usually what’s stolen.
“It’s time that we stop coddling the offenders and that we start recognizing the victims. I can tell you personally the trauma that goes along with this crime is life-long,” said Villio.
Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow said while she applauds the intent of the bill, she worries it could lead to a slippery slope because of the bias in some courtrooms.
“They may not have the option they may just automatically just charge them, and they don’t give them the option of seeing if they get a second chance or trying to work through them just being young and dumb,” said Barrow.
Some lawmakers argue burglary of an inhabited dwelling isn’t a crime of violence if the victim is never impacted physically. Villio believes otherwise.
“Just because you were not physically harmed does not mean that you do not suffer great trauma and that you did not suffer great fear of being physically harmed which goes with the crime of violence,” said Villio.
House Bill 65 advances from the committee to the Senate on a 4 to 2 vote.
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