Louisiana Criminal Defense Legal Questions

Disorderly conduct is a very general term in criminal law and encompasses many types of behavior. Below is La. R.S. 14:103 regarding disturbing the peace. Subsection B of said statute provides the penalty for the violation of the statute. ?103. La. R.S. 14:103 Disturbing the peace A. Disturbing the peace is the doing of any of the following in such manner as would foreseeably disturb or alarm the public: (1) Engaging in a fistic encounter; or (2) Addressing any offensive, derisive, or annoying words to any other person who is lawfully in any street, or other public place; or call him by any offensive or derisive name, or make any noise or exclamation in his presence and hearing with the intent to deride, offend, or annoy him, or to prevent him from pursuing his lawful business, occupation, or duty; or (3) Appearing in an intoxicated condition; or (4) Engaging in any act in a violent and tumultuous manner by any three or more persons; or (5) Holding of an unlawful assembly; or (6) Interruption of any lawful assembly of people; or (7) Intentionally engaging in any act or any utterance, gesture, or display designed to disrupt a funeral, funeral home viewing, funeral procession, wake, memorial service, or burial of a deceased person. (8) Intentionally blocking, impeding, inhibiting, or in any other manner obstructing or interfering with access into or from any building or parking lot of a building in which a funeral, wake, memorial service, or burial is being conducted, or any burial plot or the parking lot of the cemetery in which a funeral, wake, memorial service, or burial is being conducted. B.(1) Whoever commits the crime of disturbing the peace shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than ninety days, or both. (2) Whoever commits the crime of disturbing the peace as provided in Paragraphs (A)(7) and (8) of this Section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.... Read More

If convicted of armed robbery, your cousin will be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years at hard labor and a maximum of 99 years at hard labor, without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. This is a very serious charge and I would suggest that your cousin hires a good criminal attorney.... Read More

First of all, I assume you did sell them weed since you did not mention that you were innocent. Second, how else would the police get such information. The person was probably arrested and instead of remaining silent he was foolish enough to not only confess but to turn you in to get a break. That is why they eventually catch most people ho deal drugs from their home. The police apply for a warrant and take the person to a judge and the judge evaluates their story to see it it is accurate, recent, trustworthy, and believable. Then he issues a search warrant and the police search your house. Perhaps if you were aware of all of this you would just smoke weed and not decide to become a drug dealer, especially in view of the Draconian penalties for selling drugs in this country, even pot. I do not agree and feel pot should be legal, but no one is fighting and protesting strong enough.... Read More

Misdemeanor conviction consequences can be significant. Some are explained at the time of plea or sentence, others are not as readily apparent.There are consequences that are part of the sentencing judgment, such as having to pay a fine and the costs of probation supervision and drug classes. While jail time for first-time misdemeanor marijuana offenders often can be avoided, it remains a possibility in some states.There are also consequences that may not occur until after sentencing. For example, a misdemeanor drug conviction can affect public housing benefits in some areas, and render you ineligible for student loans. In some states, you can lose your drivers’ license for a period of time.  You may find it more difficult to get a job, unless your conviction is in a state that allows you to have the conviction removed from your record.  The conviction can also prevent you from obtaining certain types of professional licenses.If you are being charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, I recommend you seek a consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in your jurisdiction. In addition to explaining the specific consequences of of a conviction, he or she can evaluate the facts of your case and determine if you have any valid defenses to the charge, and whether you might be able to obtain a deferred or diversionary disposition that won’t leave you with a criminal record.Jeralyn Merritt, Ask a Lawyer Panelist Since 1998... Read More