State of Louisiana v. Hunter Fussell

Summary

The court held that Children’s Code article 305(A), which automatically divests the juvenile court of jurisdiction after an indictment for specified serious offenses, is constitutional. The court concluded that the provision does not deprive a juvenile of a statutorily protected liberty interest requiring a transfer hearing, and that the legislature rationally could balance juvenile treatment against public safety. The court also rejected the equal-protection challenge and vacated the district court’s ruling.