Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile Defense in Louisiana

Written by Jarrett Ambeau, trial attorney, court-qualified forensic DNA expert, and lead counsel at The Ambeau Law Firm.

What is indecent behavior with juveniles in Louisiana? Under La. R.S. 14:81, it is a lewd or lascivious act upon or in the presence of a child under seventeen, with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire and more than a two-year age gap. It also covers lewd communications to a minor and grooming. It is a felony with serious penalties and registration consequences.

An accusation like this is devastating before a court decides anything. It threatens your freedom, your reputation, and your future, and it carries the weight of sex-offender registration. These cases often rest on interpretation, of a message, an act, or an alleged intent, and that is precisely why they demand a careful, deliberate defense from the very start.

I am Jarrett Ambeau. I have tried more than sixty felony jury trials to verdict, and I am a court-qualified forensic DNA expert. In cases like this, the forensic and digital evidence, and the question of intent, are where the defense lives.

Quick answers

• What it is: a lewd act, lewd communication, or grooming involving a child under seventeen (La. R.S. 14:81).
• The penalty: up to seven years base; two to twenty-five years if the victim is under thirteen and the offender is seventeen or older.
• The key issue: whether the state can prove a lewd act and the specific intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire.
• What to do first: say nothing to police or investigators and call a lawyer immediately.

What counts as indecent behavior with juveniles in Louisiana?

The statute reaches three kinds of conduct, each requiring intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire: a lewd or lascivious act upon or in the presence of a child under seventeen with a greater-than-two-year age gap; transmitting lewd communications to a person reasonably believed to be under seventeen; and grooming a child under seventeen when the offender is at least four years older. No physical contact is required, and for the core provisions, lack of knowledge of the child’s age is not a defense.

Elements the State must prove

To convict, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt:

• A qualifying act. A lewd or lascivious act, a lewd communication, or grooming as the statute defines it.
• Specific intent. That the act was done to arouse or gratify sexual desire.
• The age and age gap. That the child and age difference meet the statute’s requirements.
• Identity. That the defendant committed the act.

What happens after an arrest in Louisiana?

Say a man named Joe is arrested. Within seventy-two hours he has an initial appearance where bond is addressed, often with conditions restricting contact with minors. Because this is a felony, if he is held the state generally has sixty days to bring formal charges. Then arraignment, the motions phase, and trial. In the motions phase we examine the digital evidence, the forensic analysis, and any interviews, which often reshapes how the case looks.

What are the defenses to indecent behavior with juveniles?

The defenses that come up most often include:

• No lewd act or intent. That the conduct was not lewd, or lacked the required intent to arouse or gratify.
• False or mistaken allegations. Accusations arising from misunderstanding, coaching, or a custody dispute.
• Digital evidence challenges. Contesting the source, authenticity, and interpretation of messages.
• Insufficient proof of identity. That the state cannot prove the defendant is responsible.
• Constitutional violations. Suppressing evidence obtained through unlawful searches or interrogations.

How we defend an indecent behavior charge

Because I am a court-qualified forensic DNA expert, I scrutinize the digital and forensic evidence these cases rely on, from device data to the chain of custody. We gather the evidence, talk to witnesses, and examine the full context of any communication, and we build the timeline the state would rather ignore. You can read more on our forensic DNA page.

These cases require both skill and discretion, and we handle them with both. Where the facts allow, we push to reduce the charge or to have it dismissed. With more than sixty felony jury trials to verdict, we prepare every case for trial. It is what we do here at The Ambeau Law Firm.

Frequently asked questions

What is indecent behavior with juveniles in Louisiana?

Under La. R.S. 14:81, it is committing a lewd or lascivious act upon or in the presence of a child under seventeen with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire, where there is more than a two-year age gap. It also covers transmitting lewd communications to someone reasonably believed to be under seventeen, and grooming a child under seventeen when the offender is at least four years older.

What is the penalty for indecent behavior with juveniles in Louisiana?

The base offense carries a fine of up to five thousand dollars and up to seven years, with or without hard labor. If the victim is under thirteen and the offender is seventeen or older, the penalty is two to twenty-five years at hard labor, with at least two years served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension. A conviction also carries sex-offender registration consequences.

Is lack of knowledge of the child’s age a defense?

For the core lewd-act and grooming provisions, no. La. R.S. 14:81 states that lack of knowledge of the child’s age is not a defense. That makes the factual questions, whether a lewd act occurred, whether there was the required intent, and whether the age gap and identity are proven, all the more important to a defense, since a mistaken-age claim will not carry the day.

Does the charge require physical contact?

No. The statute reaches acts committed in the presence of a child, transmission of lewd communications, and grooming, none of which require physical contact. Because the offense can rest on communications or alleged intent rather than touching, these cases often turn on interpreting messages and proving the specific intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire.

Talk to a Louisiana sex crimes defense lawyer

A few quick questions help us understand your situation: Has an arrest already happened? Is the case in state or federal court? Does the evidence involve digital communications or forensic testing? If you are facing this charge, do not wait. Check Jarrett’s availability for your case or call 225-330-7009.

Louisiana statute reference

Indecent behavior with juveniles is charged under La. R.S. 14:81. Statutes change, so verify the current text at the Louisiana State Legislature. It is the commission, with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire, of a lewd or lascivious act upon or in the presence of a child under seventeen with a greater-than-two-year age gap, the transmission of lewd communications to a minor, or grooming, punishable by up to a five thousand dollar fine and up to seven years, with an enhanced range of two to twenty-five years when the victim is under thirteen and the offender is seventeen or older.

Source: La. R.S. 14:81, as amended through Acts 2025, No. 97.