The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Michael Bell.
DIGEST
SB 140 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Harris
Present law provides for the following penalties for the criminal offense of obstruction of justice:
(1)When the obstruction of justice involves a criminal proceeding in which a sentence of death
or life imprisonment may be imposed, the offender shall be fined not more than $100,000,
imprisoned for not more than 40 years at hard labor, or both.
(2)When the obstruction of justice involves a criminal proceeding in which a sentence of
imprisonment necessarily at hard labor for any period less than a life sentence may be
imposed, the offender may be fined not more than $50,000, or imprisoned for not more than
20 years at hard labor, or both.
(3)When the obstruction of justice involves any other criminal proceeding, the offender shall
be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned for not more than five years, with or without
hard labor, or both.
Proposed law retains present law and adds to the penalties that when the obstruction of justice is
committed as described in statute and involves any misdemeanor criminal proceeding that does not
involve an intentional misdemeanor directly affecting the person, the offender shall be fined not
more than $500, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
Effective August 1, 2021.
(Amends R.S. 14:130.1(B)(3); adds R.S. 14:130.1(B)(4))