Louisiana law

Criminal Defense Laws in Louisiana.

Louisiana does NOT use felony classes (A, B, C). Each crime has its own statutory penalty, with the key distinction being whether imprisonment is "at hard labor" (state prison) or not. There is no statute of limitations for murder or crimes punishable by life imprisonment. Effective for crimes after January 1, 2019, all felony convictions require unanimous jury verdicts (12-0), ending a Jim Crow-era holdover of non-unanimous verdicts. Louisiana retains the death penalty with executions having resumed in 2025.

Last verified: 2026-02-25

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State law

Statute of Limitations

No limit (capital); 6 years (hard labor felonies); 4 years (other felonies); 2 years (misdemeanors)La. C.Cr.P. Arts. 571, 572

Murder, first/second-degree rape, and other crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment have no time limit. Felonies necessarily punishable at hard labor must be charged within 6 years. Other felonies within 4 years. Misdemeanors punishable by fine and/or imprisonment within 2 years. Fine-only misdemeanors within 6 months.

Exceptions

Sex Offenses Against Minors — 30 years from victim turning 18La. C.Cr.P. Art. 571.1

Attempted first/second-degree rape, sexual battery, oral sexual battery, human trafficking, trafficking of children, and indecent behavior with juveniles must be prosecuted within 30 years from the date the victim turns 18.

DNA Exception (Sex Offenses)La. C.Cr.P. Art. 572

Prosecution for sex offenses may commence beyond normal time limits if identity is established through DNA profiling after the standard period has expired.

State law

Key Louisiana Statutes

Unanimous Jury RequirementLa. Const. Art. I, § 17 (as amended 2018)

Effective for crimes committed after January 1, 2019, all felony convictions require unanimous jury verdicts (12-0). Prior to this, Louisiana allowed non-unanimous 10-2 verdicts — a Jim Crow-era provision that was the last of its kind in the nation.

Death Penalty — MethodsLa. R.S. 15:569

Louisiana retains the death penalty. In March 2024, Governor Landry signed law allowing execution by nitrogen gas and electrocution in addition to lethal injection. Executions resumed in February 2025 after an approximately 15-year hiatus.

Felony ExpungementLa. C.Cr.P. Art. 978

Felony convictions may be expunged after 10 years from completion of sentence, probation, or parole, with no other convictions during that 10-year period and no pending charges.

2017 Justice Reinvestment InitiativeMultiple Acts (2017 Legislative Session)

A package of 10 bills that reduced sentences for nonviolent offenders, expanded probation and parole eligibility (nonviolent offenders parole-eligible after serving 25% of sentence), and reduced the prison population by approximately 14,000 from peak.

State law

Official Sources

Louisiana Legislature — Code of Criminal Procedure Death Penalty Information Center — Louisiana

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.

Criminal Defense Laws in Louisiana.

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Statute of Limitations

Key Louisiana Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

Other state law topics.