SLS 16RS-283 ENGROSSED
2016 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 196
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
CRIME/PUNISHMENT. Removes judge's discretion with regard to mandatory sentences
for certain offenses involving the possession, use, or discharge of a firearm. (8/1/16)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893.3(H), relative to sentences
3 imposed for certain offenses involving the possession, use, or discharge of a firearm;
4 to provide that sentences prescribed for certain offenses and conditions of those
5 sentences are to be considered mandatory; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893.3(H) is hereby amended and
8 reenacted to read as follows:
9 Art. 893.3. Sentence imposed on felony or specifically enumerated misdemeanor in
10 which firearm was possessed, used, or discharged
11 * * *
12 H. If the court finds that a sentence imposed under provisions of this Article
13 would be excessive, the court shall state for the record the reasons for such finding
14 and shall impose the most severe sentence which is not excessive. However, when
15 the court makes any finding relative to the possession, use, or discharge of a
16 firearm as described in this Article, the terms of imprisonment provided for in
17 Subparagraph (E)(1) of this Article shall be considered mandatory sentences
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 196
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1 and the conditions of those sentences provided for in Subparagraph (E)(2) and
2 Paragraphs F and G of this Article shall be considered mandatory conditions.
3 * * *
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alden A. Clement, Jr.
DIGEST
SB 196 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Cortez
Present law provides that if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that an offender
actually possessed a firearm during the commission of a felony or a specifically enumerated
misdemeanor under present law for which he was convicted, the court is to impose a term
of imprisonment of two years. Present law further provides that if the maximum sentence
for the underlying offense is less than two years, then the court is to impose the maximum
sentence set forth in present law.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the
offender actually used a firearm in the commission of a felony or a specifically enumerated
misdemeanor under present law for which he was convicted, the court is to impose a term
of imprisonment of five years. Present law further provides that if the maximum sentence
for the underlying offense is less than five years, then the court is to impose the maximum
sentence set forth in present law.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the
offender actually discharged a firearm in the commission of a felony or a specifically
enumerated misdemeanor under present law for which he was convicted, the court is to
impose a term of imprisonment of 10 years. Present law further provides that if the
maximum sentence for the underlying offense is less than 10 years, then the court is to
impose the maximum sentence set forth in present law.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that a firearm
was actually used or discharged by the defendant during the commission of a felony for
which he was convicted, and thereby caused bodily injury, the court is to impose a term of
imprisonment of 15 years. Present law further provides that if the maximum sentence for the
underlying felony is less than 15 years, then court is to impose the maximum sentence set
forth in present law.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that if the defendant commits a felony with a firearm and the crime is
considered a violent felony as defined in present law, then the court is to impose a minimum
term of imprisonment of 10 years. Present law further provides that in addition, if the firearm
is discharged during the commission of such violent felony, then the court is to impose a
minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Present law further provides that a sentence
imposed under this provision of present law is to be without benefit of parole, probation or
suspension of sentence.
Proposed law retains present law.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 196
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Present law provides that a mandatory minimum sentence imposed under these provisions
of present law cannot be suspended and must be imposed in the same manner as provided
in the felony for which the defendant was convicted.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that a defendant sentenced under the provisions of present law is not
eligible for parole during the period of the mandatory minimum sentence.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that if the court finds that a sentence imposed under these provisions
of present law would be excessive, the court is to state for the record the reasons for such
finding and impose the most severe sentence that is not excessive.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that with regard to "violent felonies" under
present law (second degree sexual battery, aggravated burglary, carjacking, armed robbery,
second degree kidnapping, manslaughter, or forcible or second degree rape) only, when the
court makes any finding relative to the possession, use, or discharge of a firearm as
described in present law, the terms of imprisonment provided for in present law are
mandatory sentences and the conditions of those sentences provided for in present law are
mandatory conditions.
Effective August 1, 2016.
(Amends C.Cr.P. Art. 893.3(H))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary C to the
original bill
1. Makes proposed law applicable only to sentencing for "violent felonies"
under present law.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.