Louisiana Child Enticement Laws

Louisiana’s child enticement laws are centered on digital or electronic means of luring a child to illegal sexual conduct.  Specifically an individual that is over seventeen years of age will be found guilty of child enticement if the following elements can be proven in a court of law:

• * Using the computer to knowingly contact or communicate
• * Via use of an electronic device
• * With a person that is fifteen years or younger
• * For the purpose or intent of
• * Persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing
• * The minor child to engage in or participate in illegal sexual conduct

It shall also be a violation of the provisions of this section when a person over seventeen years of age or older:

• Uses the computer to knowingly contact or communicate
• Via use of an electronic device
• With a person that is fifteen years or younger
• For the purpose or intent of
• Persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing
• The minor child to engage in or participate in illegal sexual conduct with a third party.

Penalties for Child Enticement in Louisiana

If a person is convicted of enticing a child that is between the ages of 13 and 17, under the age shall be fined a maximum amount of ten thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned with hard labor a minimum term of five years and a maximum of ten years, without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.  If the defendant is convicted of child enticement of a child younger than thirteen he or she shall be held to be a felon and fined a maximum of $10,000 and be imprisoned for a minimum of two years hard labor and a maximum of twenty, without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

Defense of Child Enticement in Louisiana

There are a number of defenses that may be available to a person that has been charged with child enticement:

• Involuntary intoxication
• Mental disease or defect
• Duress amounting to the use of force or violence that cannot be resisted.

Attempted Child Enticement in Louisiana

An attempt is a separate but lesser grade of the intended crime; and any person may be convicted of an attempt to commit a crime, although it appears at the trial of the defendant that the crime intended or attempted was actually committed by said defendant in making such attempt.  The sentence for attempted crime will be the same as if he defendant had committed the crime himself. 

When to Talk to a Lawyer

An individual charged with a crime should contact an attorney as soon as possible.  Only a licensed attorney in your state can provide you with the information and guidance needed to adequately prepare a defense.