Assault and Battery
La. R.S. 14:33 — battery is the intentional use of force on another, and assault is the attempt or the threat
Battery is the intentional use of force or violence upon another person. Assault is an attempt to commit a battery, or intentionally placing someone in reasonable apprehension of receiving one.
| Offense | What makes it | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| OffenseSimple assault | What makes itNo dangerous weapon | PenaltyUp to $200, up to 90 days, or both |
| OffenseAggravated assault | What makes itA dangerous weapon | PenaltyUp to $1,000, up to 6 months, or both |
| OffenseSimple battery | What makes itWithout consent | PenaltyUp to $1,000, up to 6 months, or both |
| OffenseAggravated battery | What makes itA dangerous weapon | PenaltyUp to $5,000, up to 10 years, or both |
A simple battery against an employee of a regulated establishment carries up to $2,000, up to 2 years, or both.
Sources for this section (6)
- La. R.S. 14:33 — Battery defined
- La. R.S. 14:34 — Aggravated battery
- La. R.S. 14:35 — Simple battery
- La. R.S. 14:36 — Assault defined
- La. R.S. 14:37 — Aggravated assault
- La. R.S. 14:38 — Simple assault
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Louisiana attorney.