HLS 14RS-1128 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 395
BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED WILLIAMS
COURTS: Provides relative to penalties for contempt of court
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 13:4611(1)(d), relative to penalties for contempt of court; to2
provide for alternative penalties; to provide for the penalty of court-approved litter3
abatement or community service; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 13:4611(1)(d) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:6
ยง4611. Punishment for contempt of court7
Except as otherwise provided for by law:8
(1) The supreme court, the courts of appeal, the district courts, family courts,9
juvenile courts and the city courts may punish a person adjudged guilty of a10
contempt of court therein, as follows:11
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(d)(i) For any other contempt of court, including disobeying an order for the13
payment of child support or spousal support or an order for the right of custody or14
visitation, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisonment for not15
more than three months, or both.16
(ii) In addition to or in lieu of the penalties provided by this Paragraph, the17
court may order that the person perform litter abatement work or community service18
in a court-approved program for each day he was to be imprisoned, provided that the19 HLS 14RS-1128 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 395
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
total days of jail, litter abatement work, and community service do not exceed the1
maximum sentence provided by this Paragraph.2
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Alfred Williams HB No. 395
Abstract: Provides that penalties for contempt of court may include court-approved litter
abatement or community service.
Present law provides that the supreme court, the courts of appeal, the district courts, family
courts, juvenile courts, and the city courts may punish a person adjudged guilty of a
contempt of court for certain actions, including direct contempt of court committed by an
attorney at law, and for disobeying or resisting a lawful restraining order, or preliminary or
permanent injunction.
Present law provides a range of monetary penalties and days of imprisonment for each type
of contempt and for any subsequent contempt of the same court.
Present law provides that the court may punish a person for any other contempt of court,
including disobeying an order for the payment of child support or spousal support or an
order for the right of custody or visitation, by a fine of not more than $500, or imprisonment
for not more than three months, or both.
Proposed law provides that, in addition to or in lieu of the penalties provided by present law,
the penalties for contempt of court may include court-approved litter abatement or
community service, not to exceed the maximum sentence as provided by present law.
(Amends R.S. 13:4611(1)(d))