Final answer:
The age of accountability for crimes in Louisiana is 10 years old, with legal precedents emphasizing constitutional protections in sentencing. Angola Penitentiary's notorious past underscores the broader challenges in the state's criminal justice system.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Louisiana, the age of accountability for crimes is 10 years old. Below this age, a child is generally presumed incapable of committing a crime with the requisite criminal intent. However, this is not an absolute prohibition and cases involving minors can be complex, often requiring careful consideration of the individual circumstances. Notably, legal precedents such as Roberts v. Louisiana (1976) and Coker v. Georgia (1977) highlight the importance of ensuring appropriate penalties and the prohibition of excessive punishments such as mandatory death sentences for certain crimes, in line with constitutional protections.
Figure 8-1 mentions Angola, LA - home to the Louisiana State Penitentiary. This facility has been known for its notorious past and poor record of rehabilitation, reflecting the challenges within the correctional system and the ongoing debate about criminal justice policies, including those that affect young offenders.