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High Court Ruling Makes LA Sex Abuse Victim's Chances For New Lawsuits Uncertain

The exterior of the Supreme Court of Louisiana 24 August 2007 in New Orleans. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
/
AFP
The exterior of the Supreme Court of Louisiana 24 August 2007 in New Orleans. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

LA HIGH COURT SEX ABUSE CASE RULING - Louisiana's Supreme Court has sidestepped a ruling on the constitutionality of legislation that gave adult victims of childhood sexual abuse a renewed chance to file lawsuits. Legislation passed in 2021 gave victims until mid-2024 to file such lawsuits, even if preexisting time limits on such suits had expired.

A lower court had declared the law unconstitutional. Victim’s advocates had hoped the state Supreme Court would reverse that finding. But the court said Tuesday that it was premature to rule on the constitutionality of the legislation because the victim in the pending case wasn't eligible to sue.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.