Louisiana
Louisiana Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Offenses, Penalties, and Protections
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited November 1, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of November 1, 2026. · 10 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Louisiana criminalizes video voyeurism under La. R.S. 14:283, making it a crime to record or observe a person without consent for a lewd or lascivious purpose, or to capture intimate imagery of a person in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. A first conviction carries up to $2,000 in fines and 2 years in prison, and a conviction for video voyeurism of a living person requires sex offender registration.
Louisiana takes hidden camera offenses and voyeurism seriously, treating them as criminal acts with penalties that can include years of imprisonment and mandatory sex offender registration. The state's primary voyeurism statute, La. R.S. 14:283, targets anyone who uses a camera, video recorder, or other imaging device to observe or record another person without consent for a lewd or lascivious purpose, or to capture intimate imagery in a private setting.
This guide covers every aspect of Louisiana's voyeurism and hidden camera laws, including what conduct is prohibited, how penalties escalate, when sex offender registration is required, and what civil remedies are available to victims. Whether you are concerned about hidden cameras in a rental property, want to understand workplace surveillance limits, or need to know the consequences of voyeuristic conduct, this page provides a thorough breakdown.
Louisiana's Video Voyeurism Statute: La. R.S. 14:283
What the Law Prohibits
La. R.S. 14:283 makes it a crime to use any camera, videotape, photo-optical, photo-electric, or any other image recording device for the purpose of observing, viewing, photographing, filming, or videotaping a person where that person has not consented to the specific instance of observation and either (a) it is for a lewd or lascivious purpose, or (b) it captures sexual activity or intimate body areas described in Paragraph (B)(3) and occurs in a place where an identifiable person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Recording someone without consent in a private place, without a lewd purpose and without capturing that intimate content, does not by itself meet this definition.
Common scenarios that can fall within the statute when one of those elements is met include:
- Observation through openings. Using a device to look through windows, doors, skylights, or other openings into a private space.
- Recording under or through clothing. Using a device positioned to view under a person's clothing or through their clothing using technology.
- Surreptitious recording in private spaces. Placing or using a hidden camera in bathrooms, dressing rooms, hotel rooms, bedrooms, or similar private areas.
- Recording of intimate areas. Capturing images of a person's intimate body parts when the person has a reasonable expectation that those areas are not being photographed or recorded.
The "Reasonable Expectation of Privacy" Standard
A central question in many voyeurism cases is whether the person being recorded had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Louisiana courts evaluate this by looking at:
- The nature of the location. Bathrooms, bedrooms, hotel rooms, medical facilities, fitting rooms, and similar enclosed spaces carry the strongest privacy expectations.
- The circumstances. A person who closes a door, draws curtains, or moves to a private area demonstrates an expectation of not being observed.
- The method of recording. Hidden cameras, cameras concealed in everyday objects, and cameras placed at angles designed to capture views not visible to the naked eye all indicate voyeuristic intent.
- Public vs. private settings. A person walking down a public street generally has no expectation of privacy regarding their appearance. That same person in a bathroom stall has an extremely high expectation.
Criminal Penalties for Voyeurism
Standard Penalties
The penalties under La. R.S. 14:283 increase significantly based on the number of offenses and whether the victim is a minor:
| Offense Level | Fine | Imprisonment | Additional Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| First conviction | Up to $2,000 | Up to 2 years | Sex offender registration (not for the deceased-body offense) |
| Second or subsequent | Up to $2,000 | 6 months to 3 years at hard labor | No parole; sex offender registration (not for the deceased-body offense) |
| Recording of intimate body parts | Up to $10,000 | 1 to 5 years at hard labor | No parole; sex offender registration (not for the deceased-body offense) |
| Child under 17, with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire | Up to $10,000 | 2 to 10 years at hard labor | No parole; sex offender registration |
Sex Offender Registration
One of the most significant consequences of a video voyeurism conviction in Louisiana is mandatory sex offender registration. Under La. R.S. 15:541 and the Louisiana Sex Offender Registration Act, individuals convicted of video voyeurism must:
- Register with local law enforcement upon conviction
- Provide their name, address, physical description, photograph, and other identifying information
- Update their registration whenever they change address, employment, or other key details
- Comply with community notification requirements
- Maintain registration for the period specified by law, which varies based on the offense level
The registration requirement applies to every conviction for video voyeurism of a living person under La. R.S. 14:283(A)(1), (2), or (3), not just those involving minors. A first-offense conviction against an adult victim still triggers mandatory registration.
A 2026 amendment (Act 424) added a separate offense of recording the body of a deceased person, with an exception for lawful funeral, memorial, and graveside services. That offense is not on the registration list in La. R.S. 15:541.
Enhanced Penalties for Offenses Against Minors
When the recording is of a child under 17 years of age and is made with the intent to arouse or gratify the offender's sexual desires, the penalties are dramatically enhanced:
- The minimum prison sentence jumps to 2 years at hard labor
- The maximum prison sentence increases to 10 years at hard labor
- The maximum fine increases to $10,000
- The sentence must be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence
- Sex offender registration is mandatory
These enhanced penalties reflect Louisiana's prioritization of protecting minors from sexual exploitation.
Types of Hidden Camera Offenses
Hidden Cameras in Residences
Placing a hidden camera in someone's home, apartment, or other residence without their consent is one of the most common forms of video voyeurism. Common scenarios include:
- Landlords placing cameras in tenant residences. A landlord who installs a hidden camera in a rental unit's bathroom or bedroom can commit video voyeurism.
- Roommates recording without consent. A roommate who places a camera in a shared bathroom or another roommate's bedroom can violate the statute.
- Domestic partners. One partner placing a hidden camera to record the other in private settings without consent.
- Short-term rental properties. Hidden cameras in Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental properties can violate the statute when placed in areas with privacy expectations.
Hidden Cameras in Commercial Settings
Video voyeurism also occurs in commercial and business environments:
- Fitting rooms. Placing cameras in retail dressing rooms or fitting areas.
- Restrooms. Hidden cameras in restaurant, bar, office, or public restrooms.
- Locker rooms. Cameras in gym, spa, or athletic facility locker rooms.
- Hotel rooms. Hidden recording devices placed in guest rooms.
- Medical facilities. Unauthorized cameras in examination rooms or treatment areas.
"Upskirt" and "Downblouse" Recording
La. R.S. 14:283 does not name upskirt or downblouse recording, but its lewd-or-lascivious-purpose prong is not limited to private places. Placing cameras at angles designed to look up skirts, down blouses, or otherwise capture images of body areas that clothing is designed to conceal can therefore be charged as video voyeurism even in public settings when it is done for a lewd or lascivious purpose.
La. R.S. 14:283.1 - Voyeurism
Louisiana maintains a separate offense under La. R.S. 14:283.1 for voyeurism by looking, or using an unmanned aircraft system to look, through the doors, windows, or other openings of a private residence without the victim's consent, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the offender's sexual desires. This provision has no age element and applies to victims of any age; it is structured as a distinct offense from the broader video voyeurism statute, with distinct charging elements and its own penalty scale (up to $500 and 6 months for a first offense; up to $1,000 and 1 year for subsequent offenses). Unlike La. R.S. 14:283, a first conviction under La. R.S. 14:283.1 does not require sex offender registration; a second or subsequent conviction does (La. R.S. 15:541).
Nonconsensual Disclosure of Intimate Images
La. R.S. 14:283.2 Overview
Separate from the voyeurism statute, Louisiana criminalizes the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images under La. R.S. 14:283.2. This law targets the distribution of intimate or sexual images of an identifiable person without that person's consent. The statute applies when:
- The person depicted did not consent to the disclosure
- The person who obtained the image did so under circumstances where the depicted person had a reasonable expectation of privacy
- The person disclosing the image knew or should have known the disclosure could cause harm
Penalties for Nonconsensual Disclosure
A violation of La. R.S. 14:283.2 carries:
- Fines of up to $10,000
- Imprisonment of up to 2 years
- Or both fine and imprisonment
Relationship Between Voyeurism and Nonconsensual Disclosure
A person who both records someone without consent (voyeurism) and then shares those recordings (nonconsensual disclosure) can be charged under both statutes. The charges are separate offenses with separate penalties, meaning a defendant could face consecutive sentences.
Civil Remedies for Victims
Invasion of Privacy Claims
Victims of voyeurism and hidden camera offenses in Louisiana can pursue civil lawsuits for invasion of privacy. Louisiana's civil code, rooted in its unique civilian law tradition, provides broad protections for personal privacy. Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315 establishes that every act whatever of man that causes damage to another obliges the person by whose fault it happened to repair it. This general tort provision supports privacy-based damage claims.
Available civil remedies include:
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress, mental anguish, and psychological harm
- Lost wages if the incident affected the victim's employment
- Medical expenses for therapy, counseling, or other treatment needed as a result
- Punitive damages only where a statute authorizes them, because Louisiana does not allow punitive damages under its general tort article. Examples: La. R.S. 15:1312 (a hidden device that illegally intercepted your conversations: actual damages of at least $100 a day or $1,000, whichever is greater, plus punitive damages and attorney fees), La. R.S. 21:61 (concealed cameras in a short-term rental), and La. C.C. art. 2315.7 (criminal sexual activity against a victim 17 or younger, against the perpetrator)
- Injunctive relief ordering the destruction of recordings and prohibiting further distribution
Federal Civil Claims
If the voyeuristic recording also involved interception of oral communications (such as a hidden camera with audio in a private space), the victim may have a federal claim under the Wiretap Act (18 U.S.C. 2520). Federal remedies include:
- A court may award the greater of actual damages or statutory damages of $100 a day for each day of violation or $10,000
- Punitive damages in appropriate cases
- Reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs
How to Detect Hidden Cameras
Physical Inspection
When checking a space for hidden cameras, look for:
- Small holes or unusual objects. Cameras can be hidden in smoke detectors, alarm clocks, picture frames, electrical outlets, air purifier devices, and other everyday items.
- Wires or cables that seem out of place. Hidden cameras may have visible power cables or data transmission wires.
- Blinking lights. Many cameras have small LED indicators that may be visible in dark conditions.
- Recently altered fixtures. Look for screws that appear newly installed, paint that looks touched up, or fixtures that seem repositioned.
Electronic Detection
- RF detectors. Radio frequency detectors can identify wireless cameras that transmit signals.
- Infrared scanners. Many cameras use infrared LEDs for night vision, which can be detected with specialized equipment.
- Wi-Fi network scanning. Connected cameras may appear on local network scans.
- Smartphone camera test. Some infrared emitters from hidden cameras are visible through a smartphone's front-facing camera.
What to Do If You Find a Hidden Camera
If you discover a hidden camera in a private space:
- Do not touch or remove the camera if possible. It is evidence of a crime.
- Document its location by taking photographs from multiple angles.
- Contact local law enforcement immediately to file a report.
- Preserve any evidence of who had access to the space.
- Consult an attorney about both criminal prosecution and civil remedies.
Louisiana Deepfake and AI-Generated Intimate Images
La. R.S. 14:73.13 (2023 Act 457) and 14:73.14 (2024 Act 142)
Louisiana's deepfake laws are La. R.S. 14:73.13, enacted by 2023 La. Act 457 (SB 175), and La. R.S. 14:73.14, enacted by 2024 La. Act 142. Both were amended by Act 782 of 2026. The two statutes carry different, tiered penalties rather than one blanket punishment:
- La. R.S. 14:73.13 criminalizes deepfake sexual material. Knowingly creating or possessing a deepfake depicting a minor engaged in sexual conduct carries 5 to 20 years at hard labor, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Distributing or selling a deepfake depicting a minor, or depicting any person engaged in sexual conduct without that person's consent, carries 10 to 30 years at hard labor, a fine of up to $50,000, or both. Since 2026, an educator who commits the offense against a student can receive up to two additional years.
- La. R.S. 14:73.14 makes it a crime to disseminate or sell an AI-generated video or image that depicts another person nude or in a state of undress, with intent to coerce, harass, or intimidate, or maliciously, without authorization. It carries a much lower penalty: up to 1 year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, rising to up to 5 years when the person depicted is under 17, at least 1 year of which must be served without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, with up to two additional years when an educator targets a student.
Louisiana's deepfake law (La. R.S. 14:73.13 and 14:73.14) targets AI-generated or digitally manipulated intimate imagery; neither statute addresses election-related deepfakes. A separate 2026 law, Act 965 (formerly HB 410, La. R.S. 9:2790.3), effective August 1, 2026, requires anyone using smart glasses or another wearable eyeglass recording device to video and record or transcribe a face-to-face conversation to notify everyone in it first; it is a civil notice rule, not a deepfake or election law.
Federal Overlay: TAKE IT DOWN Act (2025)
The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act, enacted May 19, 2025, makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish intimate images of a person without consent, including AI-generated fakes, and since May 19, 2026 has required online platforms to remove reported images within 48 hours of a victim's request. This federal law operates alongside Louisiana's state law. Victims of nonconsensual intimate image distribution in Louisiana now have both state criminal remedies (La. R.S. 14:283.2; La. R.S. 14:73.13-14) and federal criminal and platform takedown protections.
Related Louisiana Criminal Statutes
Peeping Tom Laws
In addition to the video voyeurism statute, Louisiana maintains traditional peeping tom laws. La. R.S. 14:284 makes it a crime to peep through the windows or doors of another person's premises, or to use a drone to spy on people or invade their privacy, without their consent. No recording equipment is needed. A first offense is a misdemeanor carrying up to $500 in fines, 6 months in jail, or both; a third or later offense carries up to $1,000 and 1 year.
Criminal Trespass
If a person enters another's property to install or use a hidden camera, they may also face criminal trespass charges under La. R.S. 14:63. Trespass charges can be added to voyeurism charges, resulting in multiple convictions from a single incident.
Stalking
Repeated voyeuristic behavior targeting the same victim may constitute stalking under La. R.S. 14:40.2. Louisiana's stalking statute covers a pattern of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel alarmed or to suffer emotional distress. A first stalking conviction carries 30 days to 1 year in jail and a fine of $500 to $1,000; a second conviction within seven years carries 5 to 20 years, and aggravated cases carry heavier penalties.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for hidden cameras in Louisiana?
A first video voyeurism conviction under La. R.S. 14:283 carries up to $2,000 in fines and 2 years imprisonment. Second offenses carry 6 months to 3 years at hard labor. Recordings of intimate body parts carry up to $10,000 in fines and 1 to 5 years at hard labor. Recording a child under 17 with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire carries 2 to 10 years at hard labor and up to $10,000 in fines. Convictions for video voyeurism of a living person require sex offender registration.
Do all voyeurism convictions require sex offender registration in Louisiana?
For video voyeurism of a living person, yes. A conviction under La. R.S. 14:283(A)(1), (2), or (3) requires sex offender registration whether the victim was an adult or a minor. The separate offense of recording a deceased person's body, added in 2026, does not. A first conviction for voyeurism under La. R.S. 14:283.1 (peering into a home) does not require registration, but a second or later conviction does.
Is it illegal to share intimate images without consent in Louisiana?
Yes. La. R.S. 14:283.2 makes it a crime to intentionally disclose intimate images of an identifiable person without their consent. Penalties include up to $10,000 in fines and up to 2 years in prison.
Can I sue someone for placing a hidden camera in my home in Louisiana?
Yes. Victims of hidden camera offenses can file civil lawsuits for invasion of privacy under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315. Available remedies include compensatory damages for emotional distress and injunctive relief ordering destruction of the recordings. Punitive damages are available only where a statute allows them, such as La. R.S. 15:1312 when a hidden device intercepted your conversations, or La. R.S. 21:61 for concealed cameras in a short-term rental.
What should I do if I find a hidden camera in a rental property in Louisiana?
Do not touch or remove the camera. Document its location with photographs. Contact local law enforcement immediately to file a report. Preserve evidence of who had access to the property. Consult an attorney about criminal prosecution and civil remedies against the property owner.
Updates
We corrected statements that every voyeurism conviction requires sex offender registration (a 2026 amendment added a non-registrable offense, and a first conviction under La. R.S. 14:283.1 is not registrable), added the sexual-intent condition to the child-victim penalty tier, corrected punitive and federal statutory damages, replaced an outdated note that HB 410 was pending (it is now the 2026 smart-glasses notice law), and fixed the deepfake, stalking and Peeping Tom penalties. We added the one-year mandatory minimum (no parole, probation or suspension) and the educator add-on for La. R.S. 14:73.14, marked that the 2026 deceased-body offense is not registrable in the penalty table, and noted the TAKE IT DOWN Act's federal crimes and its May 19, 2026 platform deadline.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected our description of Louisiana's video voyeurism statute, La. R.S. 14:283, to state that non-consensual recording is a crime only when done for a lewd or lascivious purpose or when it captures intimate imagery in a place with a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Added a missing criminal penalty tier to the video voyeurism statute table (recordings of intimate body parts carry up to $10,000 and 1 to 5 years at hard labor), fixed six broken or misrouted citation links, and corrected the TAKE IT DOWN Act's signing date to May 19, 2025.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Corrected two claims: La. R.S. 14:283.1 is a general voyeurism-through-windows statute with no age element (not a minors-only offense), and Louisiana's deepfake statutes (14:73.13/14:73.14) target nonconsensual AI-generated intimate imagery, not election-related content.
Corrected the deepfake-penalty paragraph, which stated a blanket 10-30-years/$50,000 penalty for any creation or distribution under La. R.S. 14:73.13-14. The statutes are actually tiered: minor-image creation/possession is 5-20 years/$10,000, distribution (of minor or nonconsenting-adult material) is 10-30 years/$50,000 under 14:73.13, and the separate 14:73.14 (non-sexual-conduct AI nudity dissemination) carries only up to 6 months/$750.
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Louisiana Revised Statutes
§ 14:283Video voyeurism; penaltiesIn forcecited in 30 of our articles
A. Video voyeurism is any of the following: (1) The use of any camera, videotape, photo-optical, photo-electric, or any other image recording device, or an unmanned aircraft system equipped with any camera, videotape, photo-optical, photo-electric, or any other image recording device, for the purpose of observing, viewing, photographing, filming, or videotaping a person where that person has not consented to the specific instance of observing, viewing, photographing, filming, or videotaping and either: (a) It is for a lewd or lascivious purpose. (b) The observing, viewing, photographing, filming, or videotaping is as described in Paragraph (B)(3) of this Section and occurs in a place where an identifiable person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. (2) The transfer of an image obtained by activity described in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection by live or recorded telephone message, electronic mail, the Internet, or a commercial online service.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
Cited in 16 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):In State v. Schaller (2009) a Louisiana appeals court set out the elements of La. R.S. 14:283 and, since the statute does not define lewd or lascivious, applied a definition of an act tending to excite lust, rejecting a claimed babysitting reason for a hidden bedroom camera. State v. Boudreaux (2006) found 56 consecutive years excessive.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Batiste (Supreme Court of Louisiana 2006, 939 So. 2d 1245)“…Batiste, charging him with video voyeurism, a violation of La. R.S. 14:283. [1] At his arraignment on December *…”
- State v. Boudreaux (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2006, 945 So. 2d 898)✓A stepfather hid a wireless camera in his 18-year-old stepdaughter's bedroom and taped her for four months. He pleaded guilty to 14 counts of video voyeurism, and the court vacated the 56-year consecutive sentence as excessive because the acts formed a single scheme.
- State v. Perry (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2012, 12 La.App. 3 Cir. 298)✓A houseguest was secretly videotaped drying off in the family's guest bathroom. The court affirmed the video voyeurism conviction and three-year sentence, addressing only whether the untimely pretrial motions were properly denied, not the reach of the statute.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Louisiana Smart Glasses Recording Laws (2026), Louisiana Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules, Louisiana Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties
§ 14:283.1Voyeurism; penaltiesIn forcecited in 7 of our articles
A. Voyeurism is the viewing, observing, spying upon, or invading the privacy of a person by looking or using an unmanned aircraft system to look through the doors, windows, or other openings of a private residence without the consent of the victim who has a reasonable expectation of privacy for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desires of the offender. B.(1) Whoever commits the crime of voyeurism, upon a first conviction, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. (2) Upon a second or subsequent conviction, the offender shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than one year, or both. C. For purposes of this Section, "unmanned aircraft system" means an unmanned, powered aircraft that does not carry a human operator, can be autonomous or remotely piloted or operated, and can be expendable or recoverable.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2018
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Scott v. Hogan (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2018, 255 So. 3d 24)“…l battery ...." See La. R.S. 15:541(24)(a) and (b). Under La. R.S. 14:283.1, "[v]oyeurism is the viewing, observing…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Louisiana Drone Laws: Privacy, Critical Infrastructure & Shoot-Down Rules, Louisiana Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
§ 14:283.2Nonconsensual disclosure of a private imageIn forcecited in 10 of our articles
A. A person commits the offense of nonconsensual disclosure of a private image when all of the following occur: (1) The person intentionally discloses an image of another person who is identifiable from the image or information displayed in connection with the image and either whose intimate parts are exposed in whole or in part or who is engaged in sexual conduct. (2) The person who discloses the image obtained it through unauthorized access or under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know or understand that the image was to remain private. (3) The person who discloses the image knew or should have known that the person in the image did not consent to the disclosure of the image. (4) The person who discloses the image knew or should have known that the disclosure could harass or cause emotional distress to the person in the image. B. Disclosure of an image under any of the following circumstances does not constitute commission of the offense defined in Subsection A of this Section: (1) When the disclosure is made by any criminal justice agency for the purpose of a criminal investigation that is otherwise lawful.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2017
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Goodie (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2017, 17 La.App. 3 Cir. 693)“…arges for nonconsensual disclosure of a private image under La.R.S. 14:283.2. The narrative portion of the police…”
- State of Louisiana v. Travis R. Goodie (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2017)“…rges for nonconsensual disclosure of a private image under La.R.S. 14:283.2. The narrative portion of the po…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Louisiana Video Recording Laws: Surveillance Rules and Privacy Limits, Is Blackmail Illegal in Louisiana? Extortion Laws and Penalties, Louisiana Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
§ 14:284Peeping Tom; penaltiesIn forcecited in 4 of our articles
A. No person shall perform such acts as will make him a "Peeping Tom" on or about the premises of another, or go upon the premises of another for the purpose of becoming a "Peeping Tom". B. "Peeping Tom" as used in this Section means one who peeps through windows or doors, or other like places, situated on or about the premises of another or uses an unmanned aircraft system for the purpose of spying upon or invading the privacy of persons spied upon without the consent of the persons spied upon. It is not a necessary element of this offense that the "Peeping Tom" be upon the premises of the person being spied upon. C.(1) Whoever violates this Section, upon a first conviction, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. (2) Upon a second conviction, the offender shall be fined not more than seven hundred fifty dollars, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. (3) Upon a third or subsequent conviction, the offender shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than one year, or both. D.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State of Louisiana v. Ladarrius R. Torbor (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2024)“…rit denied, 17-1154 (La. 5/11/18), 241 So. 3d 1013. La. R.S. 14:284 provides, in relevant part: A. N…”
- State v. Gullette (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2001, 0 La.App. 3 Cir. 01012)“…on. “Peeping Tom” behavior is described, and proscribed, by La.R.S. 14:284. Thus, Officer Robinson reasonably susp…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 14:40.2StalkingIn forcecited in 8 of our articles
A. Stalking is the intentional and repeated following or harassing of another person that would cause a reasonable person to feel alarmed or to suffer emotional distress. Stalking shall include but not be limited to the intentional and repeated uninvited presence of the perpetrator at another person's home, workplace, school, or any place which would cause a reasonable person to be alarmed, or to suffer emotional distress as a result of verbal, written, or behaviorally implied threats of death, bodily injury, sexual assault, kidnapping, or any other statutory criminal act to himself or any member of his family or any person with whom he is acquainted. B.(1)(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on first conviction, whoever commits the crime of stalking shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than one year. Notwithstanding any other sentencing provisions, any person convicted of stalking shall undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
Cited in 58 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Ryan (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2007, 969 So. 2d 1268)“…Timothy J. Ryan, was convicted of stalking, a violation of La.R.S. 14:40.2, and appeals on the basis of insufficie…”
- Lepine v. Lepine (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2017, 17 La.App. 5 Cir. 45)“…an offense against the person, specifically stalking under La. R.S. 14:40.2. Because stalking | iais an offense aga…”
- Shaw v. Young (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2016, 2015 La.App. 4 Cir. 0974)“…reats and harassment. The crime of stalking is set forth in La. R.S. 14:40.2(A): “Stalking is the intentional and re…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Louisiana Expungement Laws: Eligibility, Costs, and How to Clear Your Record, Louisiana GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026), Louisiana Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order
§ 14:63Criminal trespass; squattersIn forcecited in 6 of our articles
A. No person shall enter any structure, watercraft, or movable owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization. B.(1) No person shall enter upon immovable property owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization. (2) For purposes of this Subsection, the phrase "enter upon immovable property" as used in this Subsection, in addition to its common meaning, signification, and connotation, shall include the operation of an unmanned aircraft system as defined by R.S. 14:337 in the air space over immovable property owned by another with the intent to conduct surveillance of the property or of any individual lawfully on the property. (3) The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to any person operating an unmanned aircraft system in compliance with federal law or Federal Aviation Administration regulations or authorization. C.(1) No person shall remain in or upon property, movable or immovable, owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
Cited in 62 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Black (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2010, 2009 La.App. 4 Cir. 1664)“…Court noted: Except in a few specific instances, such as La. R.S. 14:63 (trespassing), La. R.S. 14:69 (possessi…”
- State ex rel. C.J. (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2011, 2010 La.App. 4 Cir. 1588)“…etition with one count of criminal trespass in violation of La. R.S. 14:63, one count of resisting an officer in v…”
- Perrin v. Randy Tupper Homes (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2009, 8 La.App. 3 Cir. 1418)“…ial court found Plaintiffs were trespassers in violation of La.R.S. 14:63, despite also finding Plaintiffs had a…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Louisiana Laws on Recording in Public: Rights, Limits, and Exceptions, Louisiana Disturbing the Peace and Trespass Laws (2026), Louisiana Squatters Rights and Acquisitive Prescription Laws (2026)
§ 14:73.13Unlawful deepfakesIn forcecited in 10 of our articles
A. Any person who, with knowledge that the material is a deepfake depicting a minor, knowingly creates or possesses material that depicts a minor engaging in sexual conduct shall be punished by imprisonment at hard labor for not less than five nor more than twenty years, or a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or both. At least five years of the sentence of imprisonment imposed shall be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. B.(1) Except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, any person who, with knowledge that the material is a deepfake that depicts another person, without consent of the person depicted, engaging in sexual conduct, knowingly advertises, distributes, exhibits, exchanges with, promotes, or sells any sexual material shall be punished by imprisonment at hard labor for not less than ten nor more than thirty years, a fine of not more than fifty thousand dollars, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-03 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
Also relied on in: Louisiana AI Laws: What's Enacted and What's Next (2027), Are Deepfakes Illegal in Louisiana? R.S. 14:73.13 (2027)
§ 14:73.14Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another created by artificial intelligenceIn forcecited in 11 of our articles
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, with the intent to coerce, harass, intimidate, or maliciously disseminate or sell any video or still image created by artificial intelligence that depicts another person who is totally nude or in a state of undress so as to expose the genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast, when the person disseminating the video or still image knows or has reason to know that the person is not licensed or authorized to disseminate or sell such video or still image. B. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to an interactive computer service, electronic mail service provider, or a provider of a telecommunications service or any information service as defined in 47 U.S.C. 153, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server that was used by a person to commit any act prohibited by Subsection A of this Section. C.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
§ 15:541DefinitionsIn forcecited in 6 of our articles
For the purposes of this Chapter, the definitions of terms in this Section shall apply: (1) "Administration of criminal justice" means performance of any of the following activities: detection, apprehension, detention, pretrial release, post-trial release, prosecution, adjudication, correctional supervision, or rehabilitation of accused persons or criminal offenders. The term also includes criminal identification activities, the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal history record information, and the compensation of victims of crime. (2) "Aggravated offense" means a conviction for the perpetration or attempted perpetration of, or conspiracy to commit, any of the following: (a)(i) Aggravated rape (R.S. 14:42), which occurred prior to August 1, 2015, and which shall include convictions for the perpetration or attempted perpetration of, or conspiracy to commit, aggravated oral sexual battery (formerly R.S. 14:43.4, Repealed by Acts 2001, No. 301, §2) occurring prior to August 15, 2001. (ii) First degree rape (R.S. 14:42) which occurred on or after August 1, 2015. (b)(i) Forcible rape (R.S. 14:42.1) which occurred prior to August 1, 2015.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
Cross-referenced in the statute itself: § 14:283, § 14:283.1, § 14:40.2
Cited in 191 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Williams (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2009, 9 La.App. 5 Cir. 48)“…h of defendant’s convictions are defined as sex offenses by La. R.S. 15:541. See La. R.S. 15:541(24);…”
- STATE of Louisiana v. Gary LAYTON; State of Louisiana v. Gary Layton (Supreme Court of Louisiana 2015, 168 So. 3d 358)“…law. Likewise, we reject the defendant’s assertion La. R.S. § 15:541, which supplies a definition for the t…”
- Quatrevingt v. State (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2018, 242 So. 3d 625)“…offenses included any offenses other than those defined in La. R.S. 15:541 as "aggravated offenses" or "sexual off…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Louisiana Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting, Louisiana Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026
Louisiana Civil Code
§ 2315Liability for acts causing damagesIn forcecited in 10 of our articles
A. Every act whatever of man that causes damage to another obliges him by whose fault it happened to repair it. B. Damages may include loss of consortium, service, and society, and shall be recoverable by the same respective categories of persons who would have had a cause of action for wrongful death of an injured person. Damages do not include costs for future medical treatment, services, surveillance, or procedures of any kind unless such treatment, services, surveillance, or procedures are directly related to a manifest physical or mental injury or disease. Damages shall include any sales taxes paid by the owner on the repair or replacement of the property damaged.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-27 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.la.gov
Cited in 567 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Louisiana courts apply Art. 2315 case by case: Hornsby v. Bayou Jack Logging (2005) held restoration costs above the land's value require reasons personal to the owner, which a vague intent to develop did not supply, and Naylor v. La. Dept. of Public Highways (1982) required every duty-risk element before recovery.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- MJ Farms, Ltd. v. Exxon Mobil Corp. (Supreme Court of Louisiana 2008, 998 So. 2d 16)“…had suffered "damages," and were therefore entitled under La. Civ.Code art. 2315 to recover medical monitoring costs. B…”
- Naylor v. La. Dept. of Public Highways (Louisiana Court of Appeal 1982, 423 So. 2d 674)✓A motorcyclist hit an oil and sand mixture left in a highway curve and suffered permanent brain damage; the court found both the highway department and the state police liable under article 2315 for breaching duties to maintain a safe road and to warn of the hazard.
- Johnson v. St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company (Supreme Court of Louisiana 1970, 256 La. 289)✓A Shreveport guest passenger was injured when her host rear-ended a car in Arkansas; the court kept the place-of-the-wrong rule and applied the Arkansas guest statute, so article 2315's ordinary negligence standard did not govern the out-of-state accident.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Louisiana Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Rights and Restrictions, Louisiana Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim, Louisiana Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
United States Code Title 18
§ 2520Recovery of civil damages authorizedIn forcecited in 130 of our articles
Except as provided in section 2511(2)(a)(ii), any person whose wire, oral, or electronic communication is intercepted, disclosed, or intentionally used in violation of this chapter may in a civil action recover from the person or entity, other than the United States, which engaged in that violation such relief as may be appropriate. In an action under this section, appropriate relief includes— such preliminary and other equitable or declaratory relief as may be appropriate; damages under subsection (c) and punitive damages in appropriate cases; and a reasonable attorney’s fee and other litigation costs reasonably incurred.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 860 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Walker v. Darby (1990) held a 2520 plaintiff need not prove the contents of intercepted conversations, only interception and a justified expectation against it. Bartnicki v. Vopper (2001) barred 2520 damages against defendants who took no part in the interception, obtained the tape lawfully, and disclosed a matter of public concern.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Jessie Walker v. Thomas E. Darby, Hugh L. Robinson, Jr., and Kenneth Day (Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit 1990, 911 F.2d 1573)✓A postal letter carrier said three supervisors wired an intercom near his workstation to listen in. Reversing summary judgment, the Eleventh Circuit held a section 2520 plaintiff can show interception without proving the contents of specific conversations.
- Gelbard v. United States (Supreme Court of the United States 1972, 408 U.S. 41)“…disclosure, or use is entitled to recover civil damages, 18 U. S. C. § 2520 . Title III also bars the use as eviden…”
- DirecTV, Inc. v. Hoa Huynh (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 2007, 503 F.3d 847)“…7 U.S.C. § 605 (e)(4), or alternatively, for violations of 18 U.S.C. § 2520 (a), or alternatively, for violations o…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Can an Employer Record Conversations Without Consent? (2026), Can I Sue Someone for Recording Me on Private or Public Property?, Federal Wiretap Act and ECPA: The Complete Guide (2026)
Explore the law
The laws cited above reference these related sections in their own text:
- Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:337 — Unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system view in our statute record · read at the official source
- Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:81 — Indecent behavior with juveniles view in our statute record · read at the official source
- Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:81.1 — Child sexual abuse materials view in our statute record · read at the official source
- Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:81.3 — Computer-aided solicitation of a minor view in our statute record · read at the official source
Related law for further reading — not part of this article’s citations.
Sources and References
- La. R.S. 14:283 - Video Voyeurism(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. R.S. 14:283.2 - Nonconsensual Disclosure(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. R.S. 15:541 - Sex Offender Registration(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. R.S. 14:284 - Peeping Tom(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. R.S. 14:40.2 - Stalking(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. C.C. Art. 2315 - General Tort Liability(legis.la.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 2520 - Civil Damages(law.cornell.edu)
- DOJ Citizens Guide to Wiretapping Laws(justice.gov).gov
- La. R.S. 14:73.13 - Deepfake Sexual Content (2023 Act 457)(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. R.S. 14:73.14 - Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another created by artificial intelligence(legis.la.gov).gov
- TAKE IT DOWN Act (signed May 19, 2025)(congress.gov).gov