Louisiana Laws
127 articles · page 1 of 3
A
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Louisiana? (2026)
In Louisiana the full autopsy report is restricted to next of kin and law enforcement, while the coroner's cause-of-death report is public. How to request one.
Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Louisiana? (2026 Law)
Louisiana's R.S. 14:95 does not name brass knuckles but can reach them as a concealed dangerous weapon, with separate school, jail and courthouse rules.
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Louisiana? Psilocybin Laws (2026)
Psilocybin is Schedule I in Louisiana. Possession carries up to 2 years under 2 grams and 1 to 10 years up to 28 grams; Act 956 covers clinical studies only.
B
Bankruptcy in Louisiana (2026): Exemptions & Means Test
Louisiana opted out of federal exemptions. The homestead protects $35,000 in value, the vehicle exemption is $7,500, and see the 2026 means test income figures.
C
Common Law Marriage in Louisiana: Is It Recognized? (2026)
Louisiana has never recognized common law marriage. La. Civ. Code arts. 86-87 require a formal ceremony. Learn what Louisiana recognizes and why it has never allowed informal marriage.
E
Exemplary Damages in Louisiana: When Punitive Damages Apply (2026)
Louisiana allows exemplary (punitive) damages only where a statute authorizes them, such as drunk driving and child sexual abuse. No general cap applies.
F
Felony vs Misdemeanor in Louisiana: Sentences and Probation (2026)
Louisiana has no felony classes: a felony is any crime punishable by death or hard labor. See how sentences, the habitual offender law and probation limits work.
H
How Long Is a Life Sentence in Louisiana? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in Louisiana: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
How to Find a Cause of Death in Louisiana (2026)
In Louisiana the cause of death is on the death certificate, restricted to eligible family for 50 years, plus the public coroner's report. How to find it.
How to Get a Louisiana Death Certificate (2026)
Get a Louisiana death certificate from the state Vital Records Registry. Certified copies are $7.00 each, limited to eligible family members and beneficiaries.
How to Get a Police Report in Louisiana (2026 Guide)
How to get a Louisiana crash report from LSP or an incident report under R.S. 44:3, plus the state bodycam privacy rule at R.S. 44:3(A)(8).
I
Is Blackmail Illegal in Louisiana? Extortion Laws and Penalties
Louisiana charges blackmail as extortion under La. R.S. 14:66, punishable by 1 to 15 years at hard labor. See which threats count and the 2025 changes.
Is Jaywalking Illegal in Louisiana? Crossing Rules and Fines (2026)
Louisiana pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk must yield to all vehicles (La. R.S. 32:213). A first state-law violation carries up to $175, 30 days, or both.
Is Kratom Legal in Louisiana? (2026 Law)
Kratom is banned in Louisiana. Since Aug. 1, 2025, R.S. 40:966.1 makes possessing or selling it a crime, and mitragynine and 7-OH are Schedule I.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Louisiana? (2026 Law and Penalty)
Lane splitting and filtering are prohibited in Louisiana. La. R.S. 32:191.1(C) bars riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or rows of vehicles.
L
Legal Separation in Louisiana: Covenant Marriage Rules (2026)
Louisiana allows separation from bed and board only in a covenant marriage under La. R.S. 9:307. Learn the grounds, what the court can order, and options for others.
Louisiana Adoption Records: Original Birth Certificates at Age 24
Louisiana adoptees 24 and older get the original birth certificate directly from the state registrar under R.S. 40:73. Below 24, a court order applies.
Louisiana Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting
How Louisiana criminal law protects minors under 13, ages 13 to 16 by age difference, and students to 21, with penalties, registration and reporting.
Louisiana Age Verification Law: Act 440 and LA Wallet Explained
Louisiana's Act 440, the nation's first adult-content age-verification law, is enforced and unchallenged. Requirements, the LA Wallet exception, penalties.
Louisiana AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to Louisiana AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.
Louisiana AI Meeting Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules
Louisiana one-party consent law allows AI meeting recording with one participant's consent. La. Rev. Stat. 15:1303 penalties include 2-10 years at hard labor.
Louisiana Annulment Laws: Absolute and Relative Nullity (2026)
Louisiana treats annulment as nullity of marriage under Civil Code articles 94 to 97. Learn which marriages are null, who can sue, and what follows.
Louisiana Assault and Battery Laws: Charges and Penalties (2026)
Louisiana separates battery (R.S. 14:33) from assault (R.S. 14:36). See simple, aggravated and second degree battery penalties, felony rules and 2026 changes.
Louisiana At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
Louisiana is an at-will state under Civil Code art. 2747. Learn about exceptions, right-to-work protections, and your rights after a wrongful termination.
Louisiana Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties
Learn Louisiana audio recording laws under La. R.S. 15:1303. One-party consent allows recording your own calls and conversations. Felony penalties for violations.
Louisiana Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)
Louisiana background check laws: Ban the Box, lookback periods, Clean Slate, employer and housing checks.
Louisiana Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
Louisiana has no standalone biometric privacy law but protects biometric data through breach notification rules. Learn the 60-day notice requirements and penalties.
Louisiana Birth Certificate: How to Order, Fees and Who Can Get One
Louisiana Vital Records charges $15 for a certified birth certificate. Order in New Orleans, by mail, through VitalChek, or at a participating Clerk of Court.
Louisiana Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
Louisiana is an at-fault state with a 2-year prescription period and modified 51% comparative fault. Learn the 15/30/25 minimums, UM/UIM rules, and no pay no play law.
Louisiana Car Seat Laws (2026): Stages, Taxi Rule & Fines
Louisiana requires rear-facing seats to age 2, then forward-facing, booster, and belt stages under R.S. 32:295. First-offense fines are $100. See exemptions.
Louisiana Child Custody Laws (2026): Joint Custody, Domiciliary Parent, and Best Interests
Louisiana presumes joint custody under Civil Code Art. 132. Learn how courts designate the domiciliary parent, apply 14 best-interests factors, and handle relocation.
Louisiana Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
Louisiana uses the income shares model under RS 9:315. Learn how the 2025 schedule, Worksheet A/B, modification, enforcement, and disabled-child rules work.
Louisiana Court Records: How to Search, What's Public, and How to Seal Them
Louisiana has no free statewide court records search. Learn how parish clerk portals work, real subscription prices, and how expungement works under state law.
Louisiana Dashcam Laws: Mounting, Recording, and Evidence Rules
Learn Louisiana dashcam laws. Legal to use dashcams with proper mounting. Audio recording rules, insurance benefits, and how to use dashcam footage as evidence.
Louisiana Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
Louisiana requires data breach notification within 60 days. Learn who must report, what data is protected, AG reporting rules, and penalties under La. R.S. 51:3071.
Louisiana Data Privacy Laws: Comprehensive Guide (2026)
Louisiana passed the Data Privacy Act (SB 386) in 2026, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Learn breach notification rules, children's online protections, and federal privacy laws that apply now.
Louisiana Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One
Louisiana is a closed-record state. Death certificates stay confidential for 50 years and only eligible family or legal parties can buy a certified copy ($7).
Louisiana Debt Collection Laws: Prescription, Garnishment, and Repossession
Louisiana debt collection laws: the 25% garnishment ceiling, 3-year prescription on open accounts, interruption by payment, and licensed repossession rules.
Louisiana Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
Louisiana criminalizes sexual deepfakes under R.S. 14:73.13 (2023), with penalties up to 30 years for distribution. No election deepfake law after Gov. Landry vetoed HB 154 in 2024.
Louisiana Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Louisiana defamation laws explained: a two-year prescription to sue (La. C.C. art. 3493.1), the Article 971 anti-SLAPP statute, per se categories, and damages.
Louisiana Disturbing the Peace and Trespass Laws (2026)
Louisiana's disorderly conduct counterpart is disturbing the peace (R.S. 14:103), a misdemeanor. Trespass penalties rise by offense; purple paint can give notice.
Louisiana Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
Louisiana divorce law: community property state, 180-day separation (no kids) or 365 days (minor children), fault grounds, and covenant marriage explained.
Louisiana Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn Louisiana dog bite laws under Civil Code Art. 2321, including strict liability rules, the 2-year filing deadline, dangerous dog designations, and victim rights.
Louisiana Drone Laws: Privacy, Critical Infrastructure & Shoot-Down Rules
Louisiana's video voyeurism law, La. R.S. 14:283, covers drone cameras and requires sex offender registration on conviction for violators.
Louisiana DWI Laws: Penalties, BAC Limit & License (2026)
Louisiana DWI laws: the 0.08% BAC limit, first-offense penalties under R.S. 14:98.1, license suspension, ignition interlock, and the 10-year cleansing period.
Louisiana E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
Louisiana requires a helmet only for riders under 17 and sets no minimum age for e-scooters. The statute's rental-and-commercial scope leaves privately owned scooters an open legal question.
Louisiana Easement (Servitude) and Eminent Domain Laws (2026)
Louisiana servitude law: 10- or 30-year prescription of apparent servitudes, landlocked enclosed estates, how they end, and expropriation limits since 2006.
Louisiana Emancipation Laws: How to Get Emancipated in Louisiana (2026)
Louisiana recognizes three kinds of emancipation under the Civil Code: judicial (art. 366, age 16+, good cause), by marriage (art. 367, full and irrevocable), and limited by authentic act (art. 368). Learn the process, rights, and effects.
Louisiana Embezzlement Laws: Theft, Forgery and Penalties (2026)
Louisiana prosecutes embezzlement as theft by misappropriation (R.S. 14:67), generally a felony at $1,000. Forgery under R.S. 14:72 carries up to 10 years.
Louisiana Employee Monitoring Laws: Notice, Passwords & GPS (2026)
Louisiana employee monitoring law: no state notice statute, but employers can't demand social media passwords (La. R.S. 51:1951-1955). Rules on cameras and GPS.
Louisiana Expungement Laws: Eligibility, Costs, and How to Clear Your Record
Learn how Louisiana expungement works under CCP Articles 976-978: who qualifies, the $550 cost cap, felony and misdemeanor waiting periods, excluded offenses, and the funding-contingent automated expungement process.
Louisiana Final Paycheck Laws: Deadlines and Penalties
Louisiana final paycheck law: the 15-day-or-next-payday deadline, the automatic La. R.S. 23:632 penalty formula, and what employers can deduct.
Louisiana Fireworks Laws (2026): Dates, Bans, Penalties
Louisiana permissible fireworks sell June 16-July 5 and Dec 15-Jan 1 under La. R.S. 51:652. Cherry bombs and sky lanterns are banned. Age, permits, penalties.
Louisiana GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Tracking another person without consent is a crime in Louisiana under La. R.S. 14:323. See the penalties, AirTag rules, and the 2025 connected-car law.
Louisiana Grandparents' Rights: Visitation, Custody, and Post-Adoption Contact
Louisiana grandparent visitation under Civil Code Art. 136 and R.S. 9:344, plus its unusual post-adoption continuing-contact remedy.
Louisiana Guardianship Laws: Tutorship and Interdiction (2026)
How Louisiana handles guardianship: tutorship for children, full or limited interdiction with a curator for adults, the burden of proof, and alternatives.
Louisiana Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Learn Louisiana hit and run laws under RS 14:100. Understand penalties, mandatory minimums, reporting requirements, and your legal obligations after an accident.
Louisiana Homestead Exemption: Amount, Freeze and How to Apply
Louisiana's homestead exemption covers $7,500 of assessed value (about $75,000 of market value). Who is eligible, how to apply, the freeze and veteran add-ons.
Louisiana Identity Theft Laws
Louisiana identity theft, La. R.S. 14:67.16, is tiered by value up to 10 years, with an enhanced tier for victims 60+, disabled, or under 17. See victim rights.
Louisiana Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Exemptions and Employer Rules
Louisiana jury duty rules: the age-70 opt-out, $25 and $50 daily juror pay, one paid day off work, job protection, postponements and penalties for missing service.