In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court declared Louisiana's split-jury law to be unconstitutional and historically racist. Still, Louisiana has provided no relief for the 1500+ (mostly black) people who remain unconstitutionally incarcerated.

After slavery was abolished, Jim Crow laws were passed in the South to enforce white supremacy. The Sixth Amendment states that jury convictions must be unanimous, but one Jim Crow law allowed 10 out of 12 jurors to make a conviction, even in life-sentence cases. Since no more than 1 or 2 black people were usually on a jury, this law ensured black jurors’ votes would be discounted. The lawmakers explicitly stated that their goal was to ensure black jurors’ votes wouldn’t matter.

Most states require a unanimous jury verdict to make a conviction, because it was explicitly required by the Sixth Amendment. Split-jury verdicts (10-2 or 11-1) are known as “Jim Crow juries.” The U.S. Supreme Court finally deemed this Jim Crow law to be unconstitutional in 2020, in the landmark case Ramos v. Louisiana. However, the ruling did not offer any form of relief to the 1,500+ Louisianans who remain illegally incarcerated with unconstitutional convictions.

Now, the State of Louisiana must create a viable remedy for everyone who remains incarcerated with a Jim Crow jury verdict, propelled more than a century ago by white supremacy and xenophobia.

“Our greatest resources are our supporters. The majority of our family and friends come from poverty-stricken environments and have experienced all sorts of injustices, discrimination and abuse of authority. We need allies around the world to demand Louisiana legislators end Jim Crow once and for all.”

- The 10-2 Committee