Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Louisiana criminal defense attorneys who navigate the state’s civil-law-influenced criminal code, the Habitual Offender Law, post-Ramos unanimous-jury implications, and Louisiana’s nuanced sentencing structure.

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Matched with a Louisiana attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Louisiana criminal defense case review

A Louisiana attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

How we match your Louisiana criminal defense case

When you submit a Louisiana criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Louisiana law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Louisiana who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a criminal defense claim in Louisiana

Day 0
Arrest or charge.
Say nothing beyond identifying yourself and ask for a lawyer. Do not consent to searches. Everything after this is built on what you did not say.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Louisiana criminal defense attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Days 1–14
First appearance and bail.
Your attorney addresses release conditions and gets the charging documents. In Louisiana, this is where the tone of the case is set.
Weeks to months
Discovery and motions.
Police reports, video, lab work, witness statements. Motions to suppress or dismiss are filed where the evidence was obtained improperly.
Before trial
Negotiation or trial.
Most cases resolve by dismissal or plea; some go to trial. Your attorney advises on the risk of each with the actual evidence in hand.
Resolution
Outcome and record.
Fees are quoted before you commit — hourly or a retainer, spelled out in writing at the free consultation.

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for capital offenses and crimes punishable by life imprisonment; 30 years for forcible rape and aggravated sexual offenses (within tolling); 6 years for most other felonies (La. C.Cr.P. art. 571-572)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years for most misdemeanors (La. C.Cr.P. art. 572(A)(2))
Sentencing Structure: Statute-specific maximums
Statute-specific maximums; Habitual Offender Law (La. R.S. 15:529.1) enhances second/third/fourth-felony offenders; firearm enhancements under La. R.S. 14:95.1; mandatory life for first-degree murder
Expungement / Record Sealing: 5 years
La. C.Cr.P. art. 977-995 — broad expungement framework expanded 2014 and subsequently; most misdemeanors after 5 years and many felonies after 10 years post-completion (with prosecutor objection allowed)
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under La. C.Cr.P. art. 312 et seq.; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (La. Const. Art. I, § 18); pretrial services in many parishes
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Louisiana is unique among states — its criminal code (La. R.S. Title 14) was historically shaped by civil-law tradition more than the common-law roots of other states. Felonies carry maximum penalties set by individual statutes; common ranges include 5 years (low-level), 10 years (mid-range), 30 years (serious), and life imprisonment for the most serious offenses. First-degree murder (La. R.S. 14:30) is punishable by life without parole or death (Louisiana retains the death penalty). The Habitual Offender Law (La. R.S. 15:529.1) dramatically enhances sentences — third or fourth felony offenders face mandatory minimum 20 years to life (modified by 2017 reforms but still severe). Following Ramos v. Louisiana (2020), Louisiana now requires unanimous juries for serious crimes (previously allowed 10-2 verdicts) — a major shift in trial practice. Louisiana decriminalized small-amount marijuana possession in 2021 (HB 652) — first-offense possession of up to 14g is a $100 fine; medical marijuana legalized in 2015. Recreational marijuana remains illegal but possession is heavily de-emphasized. Louisiana’s expungement framework was significantly broadened by 2014 reforms and subsequent amendments — La. C.Cr.P. art. 977-995. Louisiana District Attorneys (one per judicial district) plea-bargain extensively.

Exhibit B

When to call a criminal defense attorney in Louisiana

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Criminal Defense cases we take in Louisiana

Which one is closest to yours?

DWI

Louisiana DWI under La. R.S. 14:98 (.08 BAC). First offense: up to 6 months jail, $300-$1,000 fine. Second within 10 years: 30 days mandatory minimum. Third in 10 years: felony, 1-5 years (1 year mandatory). Fourth: 10-30 years mandatory.

Sound like yours? A Louisiana attorney reviews it free — fees are quoted upfront, before you commit.

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Exhibit D

How much do Louisiana criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Louisiana · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Louisiana are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Louisiana work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under La. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. The Louisiana Public Defender Board and district public defender offices represent indigent defendants — Orleans Public Defenders is notable.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your Louisiana criminal defense compensation can include

A Louisiana criminal defense recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Charge Dismissal

Outright dismissal through motion to suppress, motion to quash, speedy trial under La. C.Cr.P. art. 578 (2-year felony, 1-year misdemeanor SOL for trial), or DA nolle prosequi.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Louisiana criminal defense questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Louisiana attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Louisiana State Police, NOPD, parish sheriffs, and city police use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights and Louisiana Constitution Art. I, § 13 protections.

Yes. Louisiana misdemeanors carry up to 6 months or 1 year depending on the offense, plus fines. Pretrial Intervention programs through parish DAs can result in dismissal. DV and DWI convictions trigger major collateral consequences (federal firearm bans, license suspension).

State cases go through Louisiana District Court (one per judicial district, mostly aligned with parishes). Federal cases go to U.S. District Court for the Eastern (New Orleans, Houma), Middle (Baton Rouge), or Western (Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Monroe) District of Louisiana under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Federal cases commonly involve drug trafficking, § 922(g) firearm cases, public corruption, and federal fraud.

Louisiana plea agreements under La. C.Cr.P. art. 558 are negotiated between the District Attorney and defense. Pleas can include charge reductions, Pretrial Intervention (parish-specific), drug court entry, Article 894 set-aside (suspended sentence with eligibility for dismissal), and stipulated sentence recommendations.

Yes — La. C.Cr.P. art. 977-995 was significantly broadened in 2014 and subsequent legislation. Most misdemeanors eligible after 5 years and many felonies after 10 years post-completion (or 5 for Article 893 set-asides). Sex offenses, DV, public corruption largely excluded. Filing requires payment of fee, prosecutor notice, and may face DA objection.

Louisiana handles juveniles under 17 in juvenile court under La. Children’s Code Art. 801 et seq. (Note: Louisiana raised juvenile age to 18 effective 2024 under HB 1148/2017 implementation.) Juvenile records are confidential under La. Ch.C. art. 412 and expungeable under art. 922. Transfer to adult court for serious offenses by 14+ under La. Ch.C. art. 305 et seq.

Louisiana DWI under La. R.S. 14:98 uses .08 BAC (.04 commercial, .02 under-21). Implied consent under La. R.S. 32:661 — refusal triggers 1-year license suspension. Mandatory IID for many offenses under La. R.S. 32:378.2. Third DWI is a felony; fourth carries 10-30 years mandatory.

Criminal Defense attorneys by city in Louisiana

Same Louisiana rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.

Other case types in Louisiana

All Louisiana practice areas →

Animal Incident attorneysLouisiana’s dog-bite rules are among the most plaintiff-friendly in the country — owners are strictly liable for the damage their dog causes.

Business Dispute attorneysLouisiana non-competes are only narrowly enforceable — up to two years, and only with specific geographic and business-area limits spelled out.

Car Accident attorneysLouisiana extended the filing window for injury claims from one year to two years effective July 2024 — a major shift for plaintiffs.

Consumer Protection attorneysThe Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act allows actual damages, triple damages for willful violations, and attorney fees.

Defective Product attorneysThe Louisiana Products Liability Act is the only route for a defective-product claim — it replaced the older negligence theories entirely.

Employment attorneysLouisiana’s state employment-discrimination law tracks the federal protected categories — and the state workforce commission handles administrative charges.

Family Law attorneysLouisiana is a community-property state — and its no-fault divorce requires 180 days of living separately (365 with minor children).

Immigration attorneysLouisiana has immigration courts in New Orleans, Oakdale, and Jena — Oakdale is one of the country’s busiest immigration detention courts.

Lemon Law attorneysThe Louisiana Lemon Law covers new vehicles within one year or 12,000 miles — and the manufacturer pays attorney fees if you prevail.

Medical Malpractice attorneysLouisiana medical malpractice damages are capped at $500K against qualified providers — and the state Patient Compensation Fund pays the excess layer.

Personal Injury attorneysThe filing window for injury claims was extended to two years effective July 2024 — pre-reform claims still run on the old one-year clock.

Slip and Fall attorneysLouisiana slip-and-fall claims against merchants require proof the store knew or should have known about the hazard — one of the tougher states for these cases.

Social Security Disability attorneysLouisiana Social Security hearing offices in New Orleans, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge process moderate volumes — federal appeals precedent for the region shapes review.

Workers’ Compensation attorneysLouisiana workers’ comp runs through the state Office of Workers’ Compensation — and wage benefits are two-thirds of your average weekly wage.

Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorneys

How we match your Louisiana criminal defense case

Case type

Size and complexity

Jurisdiction and licensing

Capacity and fit

What happens with a criminal defense claim in Louisiana

Arrest or charge.

Tell us what happened.

First appearance and bail.

Discovery and motions.

Negotiation or trial.

Outcome and record.

When to call a criminal defense attorney in Louisiana

Criminal Defense cases we take in Louisiana

DWI

Drug possession and distribution

Battery and aggravated battery

Domestic abuse battery

Theft

White-collar crimes

Gun and firearm charges

Sex offenses

Homicide

Juvenile offenses

Probation and parole violations

Federal crimes in Louisiana

How much do Louisiana criminal defense attorneys cost?

What your Louisiana criminal defense compensation can include

Charge Dismissal

Charge Reduction

Pretrial Intervention / Art. 894 Set-Aside

Plea Agreement

Trial Acquittal

Post-Conviction Relief

Louisiana criminal defense questions, answered

Criminal Defense attorneys by city in Louisiana

Other case types in Louisiana

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