The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Alden A. Clement, Jr.
DIGEST
Morrell (SB 592)
Present law defines and provides penalties for the crime of second degree battery.
Present law provides that the crime of second degree battery is punishable by a fine of up to
$2,000, or imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to five years, or both. Present law
further provides that at least one year of any sentence of imprisonment is to be served without
benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence if the offender knew or should have
known that the victim is an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces or is a disabled veteran and
the second degree battery was committed because of that status.
Proposed law increases the maximum fine for second degree battery from $2,000 to $4,000 and
increases the maximum period of imprisonment from five years to 10 years. Proposed law
further increases the minimum period of imprisonment that must be served without benefit of
parole, probation, or suspension of sentence if the offender knew or should have known that the
victim is an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces or a veteran from one year to two years.
Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 14:34.1(C))