What is a multiple offender bill? - Part Two

For Part One of our two-part series on Louisiana’s Habitual Offender Law, click here.

The habitual offender law increases the sentences for felony convictions upon a second, third, and fourth (or subsequent) convictions.

A third felony conviction will increase the sentence range from a minimum sentence of 1/2 the longest possible sentence to a maximum sentence 2 times the longest possible sentence. If all three offenses are crimes of violence or sex offenses involving victims under the age of 18, the sentence will be life imprisoment without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

For a fourth felony conviction (or any felony conviction beyond the fourth), a habitual offender finding will increase the minimum possible sentence to the maximum sentence for the underlying felony or 20 years, whichever is longer, with a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. If the fourth offense is a crime of violence or a sex offense, but none of the priors are crimes of violence or sex offenses, the minimum possible sentence will be twice the longest sentence for the underlying charge or 20 years, whichever is longer, with a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. Finally, if all of the offenses are crimes of violence or sex offenses involving victims under the age of 18, the sentence will be life imprisonment without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

Multiple felony convictions greatly increase the risk of imprisonment upon conviction. If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges and is worried about a multiple offender bill, call us at (318) 459-9111.