Question 1

What is the statute of limitations for criminal defense in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

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. (La. C.Cr.P. Arts. 571, 572)

Question 2

What is Louisiana's law on unanimous jury requirement?

Accepted Answer

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. (La. Const. Art. I, § 17 (as amended 2018))

Question 3

What is Louisiana's law on death penalty — methods?

Accepted Answer

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. (La. R.S. 15:569)

Question 4

What is Louisiana's law on felony expungement?

Accepted Answer

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. (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978)

Question 5

What is Louisiana's law on 2017 justice reinvestment initiative?

Accepted Answer

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. (Multiple Acts (2017 Legislative Session))

Criminal Defense Laws in Louisiana.

Statute of Limitations

Key Louisiana Statutes

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