Facing serious criminal charges in Louisiana demands aggressive, experienced representation. The Ambeau Law Firm provides trial-tested Louisiana homicide defense, and the crimes listed below represent the most serious charges we defend — from first-degree murder to assault. Each carries life-altering consequences, mandatory minimum sentences, or both. Our trial-tested approach combines forensic DNA expertise, meticulous evidence analysis, and fearless courtroom advocacy. If you’ve been charged with a violent crime in Louisiana, understanding the specific charge against you is the first step toward building your defense. For a full breakdown of Louisiana’s criminal statutes by category, see our Louisiana Criminal Laws statute reference.
First Degree Murder
Louisiana’s most serious charge — typically defined as an unlawful killing committed with a specific intent to kill or knowing that death is a probable consequence. Conviction carries a mandatory life sentence without parole. Defenses range from questioning identity and intent to establishing mitigating circumstances that may affect sentencing. Your freedom depends on the defense.
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Second Degree Murder
Second-degree murder in Louisiana covers unlawful killings committed during an inherently dangerous felony or with an extreme disregard for human life. Sentences range from life imprisonment to terms of years. The distinction between first and second degree can mean decades of freedom. This charge requires immediate expert analysis from an experienced second degree murder defense lawyer.
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Manslaughter
Manslaughter covers killings that lack the specific intent or circumstances required for murder charges — but still result in death. Penalties range from imprisonment at hard labor to substantial prison time. The line between manslaughter and murder is often where cases are won or lost through careful legal argument and factual investigation.
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Negligent Homicide
A negligent homicide charge arises when death results from criminal negligence — typically conduct that shows a reckless disregard for human life. This charge often follows traffic accidents, workplace incidents, or situations where gross carelessness caused death. The charge may carry lower sentences than murder, but a conviction still results in criminal imprisonment.
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Vehicular Homicide
Vehicular homicide charges apply when a death occurs as a result of operating a vehicle — whether through DWI, reckless driving, or criminal negligence. These charges carry enhanced penalties and often implicate licensing and civil liability. Defense requires both criminal and statutory expertise.
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Second Degree Battery
Second-degree battery involves intentionally causing bodily injury to another person using a dangerous weapon or with intent to cause serious injury. Charges often arise from fights, workplace altercations, or domestic disputes. Defenses include self-defense, lack of intent, and challenges to the evidence of injury or the weapon used.
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Homicides
General homicide charges cover unlawful killings that may not fit neatly into murder or manslaughter categories. Each homicide charge carries unique elements, penalties, and defense opportunities. Early expert analysis is critical to understanding what the state must prove and where vulnerabilities lie.
Police Assault / Assault on a Police Officer
Assaulting a police officer is treated as a serious felony in Louisiana, often carrying enhanced penalties. These charges frequently arise from misunderstandings during traffic stops, arrests, or other police encounters. Defenses include questioning whether the officer identified themselves, whether force was justified, and challenging the evidence of who initiated contact.
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Battery
Battery in Louisiana involves the intentional use of force or violence against another person, or the intentional administration of a poison or other noxious substance. Even seemingly minor incidents can lead to criminal charges. Defenses often include self-defense, consent, lack of intent, and challenges to the alleged victim’s account.
Aggravated Second Degree Battery
Aggravated second degree battery is charged when a battery is committed with a dangerous weapon and results in serious bodily injury. This is a serious felony carrying significant prison time. Defense requires close scrutiny of the injury evidence, the alleged weapon, and whether intent can be proven.
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Domestic Abuse Battery
Domestic abuse battery involves the intentional use of force against a household member or family member. These charges carry escalating penalties for repeat offenses and can affect firearm rights and custody matters. Defenses include self-defense, false allegations, and lack of the required relationship or intent.
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Vehicular Negligent Injuring
Vehicular negligent injuring arises when criminal negligence or intoxication while operating a vehicle causes injury to another person. These charges often follow traffic accidents and may implicate licensing and civil liability. Defense requires both criminal and statutory expertise to challenge causation and negligence.
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Feticide
Feticide charges involve the unlawful killing of an unborn child and are treated with great seriousness under Louisiana law. These cases are factually and legally complex, often turning on medical evidence and questions of intent. Early expert analysis is critical to understanding what the state must prove.
Terrorizing
Terrorizing involves intentionally communicating false information or threats that cause others to fear for their safety, often resulting in evacuations or serious public alarm. These charges frequently arise from misunderstandings, statements taken out of context, or online communications. Defenses include lack of intent and challenges to how the statement was interpreted.
Stalking
Stalking is the repeated following or harassing of another person in a way that would cause a reasonable person to feel alarmed or fearful. Penalties increase with prior offenses and protective order violations. Defenses include challenging the pattern of conduct, intent, and the credibility of the allegations.
Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking involves using electronic communication to harass, threaten, or intimidate another person. As online communication grows, these charges have become more common and often hinge on digital evidence. Defense requires careful analysis of the electronic record, intent, and identity of the sender.
→ Explore Cyberstalking Defense
Louisiana Criminal Statute Reference
To research the specific statutes behind these charges, visit our Louisiana Criminal Laws statute reference — a quick-reference table of contents of Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 14, organized by crime type with links to the full text of each statute.