Felony Theft

Louisiana defines theft as the misappropriation or taking of something of value that belongs to another, either without consent or by fraudulent conduct, with intent to permanently deprive the other person of it. Theft can be charged as a felony depending on the value allegedly involved. For example, Louisiana law provides felony-level penalties when the amount is $1,000 or more, with higher penalty ranges as the value increases.

Theft allegations may arise in a wide range of situations, including accusations involving money, equipment, merchandise, vehicles, or business property. In some cases, prosecutors may also rely on multiple alleged acts to aggregate value when determining the grade of the offense.

Burglary

Burglary is another offense commonly discussed in connection with felony property crimes. Under Louisiana law, simple burglary includes the unauthorized entry of certain dwellings, vehicles, watercraft, structures, or cemeteries with the intent to commit a felony or theft inside. Louisiana law also includes an alternative burglary provision involving unauthorized entry with intent to deprive the owner, lessee, or tenant of full use of the property or to assert a right of ownership or use over it.

Simple burglary is a felony offense in Louisiana and may carry a fine of up to $2,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 years, depending on the circumstances. Additional exposure may apply in certain cases, including cases involving firearms or multiple burglaries committed in a continuous sequence of events.

Robbery

Robbery differs from theft because it involves taking something of value from another person or from that person’s immediate control through force or intimidation. Under Louisiana law, simple robbery is charged when force or intimidation is allegedly used, but the accused is not armed with a dangerous weapon.

Because robbery involves direct confrontation, it is generally treated more seriously than a nonviolent taking. A simple robbery conviction in Louisiana can carry a fine of up to $3,000 and imprisonment for up to seven years. More serious robbery charges may apply when prosecutors allege a weapon or other aggravating facts.

Arson

Arson can also fall within the broader category of felony property crimes. Louisiana’s simple arson law covers the intentional damaging of another person’s property by fire or explosive substance without the owner’s consent. The statute also covers situations in which a fire or explosion occurs while the accused is allegedly committing or attempting another felony, even without a separate intent to start the fire.

The penalty for simple arson in Louisiana depends in part on the amount of damage alleged. Where the damage is $500 or more, the offense can carry a fine of up to $15,000 and imprisonment at hard labor for up to 15 years. Lower-damage cases may still carry significant penalties. Louisiana also has registration laws that apply to certain offenses involving arson.

Criminal Damage to Property

Many people use the word “vandalism,” but Louisiana law commonly addresses this kind of conduct through criminal-damage statutes. Simple criminal damage to property involves intentionally damaging another person’s property without consent by means other than fire or explosion. Depending on the amount of damage alleged, the offense can be charged at different levels, including as a felony.

For example, when the alleged damage amounts to $1,000 or more, Louisiana law provides increased penalties, and where the damage reaches $50,000 or more, the sentencing exposure becomes even more severe. Courts may also order restitution in addition to other penalties.