Eyewitness Identification Reform in Louisiana
State statute requires that by January 30, 2019, any criminal justice entity conducting eyewitness identifications must either adopt the Louisiana Sheriff’s Executive Management Institute (LSEMI) model policy or draft its own policy based on credible research and relevant best practices. At minimum, policies must include: blind administration, proper instructions to the witness; proper use of fillers, witness confidence statements, and the recording of identification procedures. The law provides that failure to comply may be considered by the district court in deciding whether to suppress an eyewitness identification. Effective: 2019.