Why do Louisiana traffic tickets cost so much?

with Matthew Albright | Assistant metro editor

Good morning! Here are some of our top reads from yesterday.

Why traffic tickets cost so much

In Louisiana, getting pulled over for a simple traffic violation can sometimes lead to fines and fees in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And that's often not because the penalties our state sets are particularly harsh; it's because large swaths of our criminal justice system are funded by revenue from fines and fees, instead of tax dollars.

This story explains how that system came to be and why some people think it needs to change. It's told through the eyes of a woman who got caught without a seat belt and ended up owing more than $4,000.

Escaping a conviction in death?

Almost half a century ago, Louisiana established a rule that requires courts drop a conviction if the defendant dies before his or her appeals have been exhausted. That rule has now proved highly controversial after a convicted serial killer hanged himself at Angola. 

East Baton Rouge's district attorney is pushing for the state Supreme Court to get rid of that rule. This story walks through the arguments, and why they matter to justice in our state.

'Be weather aware'

Heads up: Forecasters are on alert for a "substantial severe weather event" in the Gulf South on Tuesday, and the Baton Rouge area could be right in the crosshairs.

This story has the latest information about what to prepare for and when. 

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!