The Age of Consent
La. R.S. 14:80 — seventeen, and the age gap decides felony or misdemeanor
When a person seventeen or older has consensual sex with someone at least thirteen but under seventeen who is not a spouse, the age gap sets the crime. Not knowing the younger person's age is no defense.
Who handles this in Louisiana: Louisiana State Bar Association Lawyer Referral; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Louisiana directory.
| Age gap | Crime | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Age gapTwo years or less | CrimeNeither of these sections | PenaltyNone under these sections |
| Age gapMore than two, less than four years | CrimeMisdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile | PenaltyUp to $1,000, up to six months, or both, with no sex offender registration |
| Age gapFour years or more | CrimeFelony carnal knowledge of a juvenile | PenaltyUp to $5,000, up to ten years, or both |
A second misdemeanor offense, or one by someone already required to register, is charged as the felony. Younger children and other sex offenses are in other sections not covered here. A charge, or the worry of one, is a question for a licensed Louisiana attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- La. R.S. 14:80 — Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile
- La. R.S. 14:80.1 — Misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Louisiana attorney.