Retired Judge Hunter's statement on the Special Session called by Gov. Jeff Landry
Arthur Hunter • February 20, 2024

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a call for a special session tasking the Louisiana legislature to consider a number of measures to address crime. There are people who favor the crime special session, those who oppose and others who think it does not go far enough.


Do we need a special legislative session on crime?


Yes, because public safety should be our number one priority.


There should also be consensus on the guiding force for this special crime session. Such as, being proactive rather than reactive, making sure whatever is done makes fiscal sense, not repeating past mistakes and thinking outside the box.


Let’s be clear about something, people should be held accountable for their actions.


I was a New Orleans police officer assigned to the Urban Squad, which patrolled the housing projects and the 5th District, which covered the 7th, 8th and 9th wards-hot spots then, hot spots now. I made my share of arrests. When I was a Criminal Court judge, I sentenced more

than 25 violent offenders to life sentences. I also sentenced dozens of nonviolent offenders to the Orleans Parish Reentry Court program we started at Angola, where they obtained a HiSet(GED) and learned a skill trade.


The Angola Reentry program has a recidivism rate of 14% compared to 40% for those released without reentry.


What we started in the Orleans Parish Reentry Court in 2010, is now present in Jefferson Parish, St Tammany Parish, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Monroe, Bastrop and DeRidder courthouses.


What is clear, regardless the age a person is sent to prison, how long a person stays in prison or how easier you want someone on probation or parole to be imprisoned, 95% of people in prison will be released.


Consider the following solutions:

  1. Start reentry programs in every state juvenile prison.
  2. Expand the Angola reentry program to every adult state prison (especially the women’s prison).
  3. Require every sheriff who has state prisoners develop an effective reentry program.
  4. Start reentry programs for prisoners with lengthy sentences 3 years prior to their release.
  5. Bring together community colleges, skill trade unions and industries needing skilled labor to high schools and prisons.
  6. Increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate for mental health services.


We now have the opportunity, not only to hold people accountable for their crimes, but also provide a pathway for nonviolent offenders to become productive rather than destructive, taxpayers rather than tax takers.


If we do not take the necessary action to fight, reduce and prevent crime at the same time, we will continue to count the number of people who will become victims.

ARTHUR HUNTER IN THE NEWS

April 16, 2025
Judge Arthur Hunter’s campaign for Mayor of New Orleans released its first campaign video today, powerfully framing his life’s work as a police officer and judge who has always fought for justice, accountability, and the people of New Orleans.
April 15, 2025
Judge Arthur Hunter’s campaign for Mayor of New Orleans has raised over $110,000 in just over a month, marking a strong and early show of support for his grassroots movement to deliver honest, effective, and accountable leadership.
March 12, 2025
Hunter, a former NOPD officer, Criminal Court Judge, and longtime advocate for police accountability, warned that such a change would inject harmful political influence into an institution that should remain focused on public safety and professionalism—not politics.
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“New Orleans is in trouble. Our streets are broken, crime is out of control, and too many families are struggling. We can’t keep making excuses—it’s time for real solutions,” said Hunter.
February 27, 2025
"To date, I’ve personally met with over 300 different people, organizations, and groups about the issues facing us. One thing is clear: New Orleans is at a crossroads," said Hunter.
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