Louisiana Domestic Violence Law
Louisiana Domestic Violence Defense
What you're facing under La. R.S. § 14:35.3, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Louisiana (LA) domestic violence law.
Offense Class
Misdemeanor (first); enhanced misdemeanor/felony (subsequent or aggravated)
Maximum Penalty
6 months (first); 1 year (second); 3 years hard labor (child or pregnant victim); 5 years hard labor (strangulation or aggravated under § 14:34.9)
Maximum Fine
$1,000
Mandatory Minimum
Louisiana imposes a mandatory minimum of Minimum 30 days (second offense, without probation or suspension); minimum 1 year (aggravated — strangulation, child, pregnant) for this charge. Charge reductions or alternative sentencing are questions worth raising before the plea is entered.
Federal Firearms Prohibition (Lautenberg Amendment)
A conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence in Louisiana carries a federalfirearms-possession ban under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). This consequence is collateral to Louisiana state penalties and applies regardless of the state sentence imposed.
Penalty Range in Louisiana
Charge Enhancements
These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Louisiana:
- Second offense (minimum 30 days without suspension)
- Child present or pregnant victim (up to 3 years hard labor)
- Strangulation (up to 3 years hard labor under § 14:35.3(L))
- Aggravated domestic abuse battery — causing serious bodily injury (§ 14:34.9, up to 30 years)
Louisiana-Specific Detail
Louisiana has a specific domestic abuse battery statute with escalating penalties. Aggravated domestic abuse battery (§ 14:34.9 — serious injury) carries 1-30 years hard labor with a 1-year mandatory minimum. Mandatory arrest policy.
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Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Louisiana domestic violence law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.