RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 399 (HB 590) 2016 Regular Session Leopold
New law provides that when an accused is charged with a crime involving abusive behavior
against a family or household member, or with acts which constitute cruelty involving a
minor, evidence of the accused's commission of another crime, wrong, or act involving
assaultive behavior against a family or household member, or acts which constitute cruelty
involving a minor may be admissible and may be considered for its bearing on any matter
to which it is relevant, subject to the balancing test provided in existing law.
The balancing test in existing law provides that although relevant, evidence may be excluded
if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion
of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, or waste of time.
New law retains the balancing test of existing law regarding evidence of prior acts of
domestic abuse.
Effective August 1, 2016.
(Adds C.E. Art. 412.4)