| Back
to Table of Contents Coushatta
Tribe of Louisiana Judicial Codes
Approved: 1998; Last amended: 2004 TITLE III - CRIMINAL OFFENSES
No person shall be convicted of an offense except based on conduct, which includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform an act of which the defendant is physically capable. Unless otherwise provided in this Code with respect to a particular offense, an offense is established only if a person acts intentionally with respect to every element of the offense.
3.1.3 Burden of Proof:
Intoxication does not, in itself, constitute a mental disease or defect within the meaning of Section 3.1.6.
The use of force in order to defend a third person is a defense if:
The use of force, other than deadly force, is a defense if the defendant reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent or terminate conduct which the defendant reasonably believes the commission or attempted commission of which is a crime involving trespass, damage to or theft of property.
The use of deadly force is a defense only where the defendant reasonably believes that such force is necessary to protect himself, herself, or another person from death, serious bodily harm, kidnapping, or a sexual act compelled by force or threat.
Duress is a defense only where the defendant reasonably believes that he or she is compelled to act by the threat of death or serious bodily harm such as would render a person of reasonable firmness incapable of resisting such threat.
Entrapment is a defense only where a law enforcement officer induces the defendant to commit an offense using persuasion or other means such as would cause a normally law-abiding person to commit the act or acts that are elements of the offense. Conduct merely affording the defendant an opportunity to commit the offense does not constitute entrapment.
A person who marries another person while legally married to a third person is guilty of bigamy. This Section shall not apply to a person whose spouse has been absent for five (5) successive years and is reasonably believed by the defendant to be dead.
A person who
Any person convicted of Aggravated Assault shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who intentionally has sexual contact with another or who causes such other person to have sexual contact with the defendant, is guilty of sexual assault, if:
"Sexual contact" means any touching of the genitals or other intimate parts of the person with the intent of arousing or gratifying sexual desire. Any person convicted of Sexual Assault shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who
Any person convicted of Simple Assault shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who starts or maintains a fire or causes an explosion with intent to destroy or damage a building, occupied structure, motor vehicle, field, crop, or standing timber of another is guilty of arson. Any person convicted of Arson shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim.
The person who enters a building or occupied structure, or a separately secured or occupied portion of a building or structure, with intent to commit a crime therein is guilty of burglary, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the defendant is licensed or privileged to enter. Any person convicted of Burglary shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who, knowing that he or she is not licensed or privileged to do so:
Any person convicted of Criminal Trespass shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who
Conduct denominated "theft" in this Section constitutes a single offense embracing the several offenses heretofore known as embezzlement, extortion, fraud, larceny, receiving stolen property, misbranding, and the like. Any person convicted of theft shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim.
A person who, in the course of committing or attempting to commit a theft or while fleeing from the commission or attempted commission of a theft;
Any person convicted of Robbery shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim.
A person intentionally or recklessly:
Any person convicted of Criminal Mischief shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim.
A person who issues any check, draft or order upon any bank or other depository knowing that there are not sufficient funds in his or her account to pay such check, draft or order in full upon presentation is guilty of issuing bad checks. No person shall be prosecuted under this Section unless he or she has been notified in writing of the insufficiency of funds, has been given at least ten (10) days in which to make restitution, and has failed to make such restitution. Any person convicted of Issuing Bad Checks shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days or a fine not to exceed $500.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim.
A person who, with intent to deceive or harm the Tribe or any other person, knowingly and falsely makes, completes, executes, authenticates, issues, transfers or alters any writing. Any person convicted of Forgery shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim.
A person who carries, concealed about his or her person without specific governmental approval, any of the following weapons, is guilty of carrying a concealed dangerous weapon:
Any person convicted of Carrying Concealed Dangerous Weapons shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim. In addition to the penalty prescribed for such an offense, a person convicted of carrying a concealed weapon may be ordered by the Court to forfeit such weapon to the Tribe.
A person who possesses, transports or controls any nitroglycerin, dynamite or other dangerous explosive, unless such explosive is possessed in the prosecution of or to effect a lawful purpose previously approved by the Tribal Council, is guilty of possession of explosives. Any person convicted of Possession of Explosives shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim. In addition to the penalty prescribed for such an offense, a person convicted of possession of explosives may be ordered by the Tribal Court to forfeit such explosives to the Tribe.
A parent, guardian, or other person having charge or custody of a minor under sixteen (16) years of age who knowingly allows such minor to carry or use in public a dangerous weapon listed in Section 3.5.1 except when such minor is in the company and under the direct or indirect control of such parent, guardian or other adult person is guilty of use of dangerous weapons by children. Any person convicted of Use of Dangerous Weapons by Children shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim. In addition to the penalty prescribed for such an offense, a person convicted of use of dangerous weapons by children may be ordered by the Tribal Court to forfeit such weapon to the Tribe.
A person who
Any person convicted of Unlawful Discharge of Firearms shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim. In addition to the penalty prescribed for such an offense, a person convicted of unlawful discharge of firearms may be ordered by the Tribal Court to forfeit such firearm to the Tribe.
A person other than a law enforcement officer engaged in official duties who:
Any person convicted of Unlawful Possession of Firearms shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both, and restitution to the victim. In addition to the penalty prescribed for such an offense, a person convicted of unlawful possession of firearms may be ordered by the Tribal Court to forfeit such weapon to the Tribe.
Any person who knowingly produces, sells or possesses marijuana or any narcotic drug, including any substance containing opium, coca leaves, any opiate or any substance, compound or derivative thereof, any salt, compound, isomer derivative or preparation thereof which chemical equivalent or identical with any of the substances referred to above but not including the isoquinoline alkaloids of opium, or who shall inhale the fumes of any gasoline, airplane glue, or any other similar noxious substance for the purposes of producing intoxication is guilty of unlawful production, sale, possession or use of drugs. Any person convicted of unlawful production or sale of drugs shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both. Any person convicted of Unlawful Possession of Drugs shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both. Any drugs, drug paraphernalia, and property used or obtained in the commission of any crime under this Section shall be subject to forfeiture as ordered by the Court.
A person who knows that another person has or may have committed a criminal offense and intentionally interferes with, hinders, delays or prevents the discovery, arrest, prosecution, conviction or punishment of such other person by:
Any person convicted of Hindering Law Enforcement shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180). days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who, in any official proceeding of the Coushatta Tribe, makes a false statement or interpretation under oath or equivalent affirmation, or swears or affirms the truth of a statement of interpretation previously made when the statement or interpretation is material and the defendant does not believe it to be true, is guilty of perjury. Falsification is material if it could have affected the course or outcome of the proceeding. Any person convicted of Perjury shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
All Courts of the Coushatta Tribe have power to punish for contempt of their authority the following offenses:
Any person convicted of Criminal Contempt shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who, with intent to prevent a law enforcement officer from effecting an arrest:
The court in its discretion may require a person convicted of resisting arrest to make restitution to the police officer for property of the officer that was damaged as the result of the person's resistance. A person is guilty of an offense under this Section regardless of whether the arrest resisted is lawful or unlawful but force that is clearly excessive may be resisted. Any person convicted of Resisting Arrest shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who unlawfully removes himself or herself from official detention or fails to return to official detention following temporary leave granted for a specific purpose or limited period is guilty of escape. "Official Detention" does not include supervision of probation or parole or constraint incidental to release on ball. Any person convicted of Escape shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who, with intent to harass, alarm or annoy another person, or in reckless disregard of the fact that another person is harassed, annoyed or alarmed by his or her behavior:
Creates a hazardous, physically offensive, or seriously alarming condition by an act which serves no legitimate purpose; is guilty of disorderly conduct. Any person convicted of Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days or a fine not to exceed $500.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person, including a parent or other person with lawful custody of a minor, who intentionally, negligently or recklessly causes, encourages, contributes to or aids a minor in committing a delinquent act or status offense, is guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Any person convicted of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who knowingly fails to provide support that he or she is legally obligated to provide to his or her child born in or out of wedlock or to another dependent is guilty of failure to support a dependent person. Any person convicted of Failure to Support a Dependent Person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days or a fine not to exceed $500.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who, without justification or excuse, fails to send a child under his or her care to school is guilty of failure to send a child to school. For the purposes of this Section, a child is a person under the age of sixteen (16) years of age. Any person convicted of Failure to Send a Child to School shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days or a fine not to exceed $500.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who purchases or has in his or her possession any intoxicating beverage is guilty of unlawful possession of intoxicating beverages by minors. Any person convicted of Unlawful Possession of Intoxicating Beverages by Minors shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days or a fine not to exceed $500.00 plus court costs, or both. In addition to the penalty prescribed for such an offense, all alcoholic beverages possessed in violation of this Section will be forfeited to the Tribe, and disposed of in accordance with the Order of the Court.
Any person who shall dispose of any garbage or other forms of litter or waste or shall abandon any vehicle or other property anywhere within the boundaries of the Reservation or any Tribal Property within the criminal jurisdiction of the Tribe, except in public waste disposal grounds designated by the Tribal Council shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to jail for a period of not more than fifteen (15) days or to pay a fine of not more than $500.00 or both, with costs. Any abandoned vehicle or other property may be seized by the Coushatta Public Safety Department pursuant to an Order of the Coushatta Court and may be sold or otherwise disposed of as the Court shall direct. Abandonment shall be presumed when any vehicle or other property is left unattended in any public area for twenty-four (24) hours. The Court may require the owner of the abandoned vehicle to reimburse the Coushatta Public Safety Department for the costs of towing, impoundment and any other related costs.
Any person who shall appear in any public place manifestly under the influence of alcohol, or any other drug, or narcotic, to the degree that he endangers himself or another person or property, or causes a public disturbance, shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to jail for a period of not more than thirty (30) days, or to pay a fine of not more than $500.00 or both, with costs. Drunkenness alone, in the absence of the foregoing aggravating factors, shall not be an offense.
Any person who shall operate another's automobile, motorcycle, motorboat, or other motor- propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to jail for a period of not more than sixty (60) days or to pay a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or both, with costs. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this Section that the defendant reasonably believed that the owner would have consented to the operation if he had known of it.
No prosecution shall be maintained under this Title unless it is commenced within one (1) year after the commission of the offense.
Whoever intentionally causes the death of another human being is guilty of murder. Any person convicted of Murder shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who recklessly causes the death of another human being is guilty of manslaughter. Any person convicted of Manslaughter shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who, negligently causes the death of another human being is guilty of negligent homicide. Any person convicted of Negligent Homicide shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who, by force, duress or deception, intentionally causes another person to commit or attempt to commit suicide, or aids or solicits another to commit or attempt to commit suicide is guilty of causing or aiding suicide. Any person convicted of Causing or Aiding Suicide shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who, by force, threat or deception:
Any person convicted of Kidnapping shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who engages in a sexual act with another person, or who causes another person to engage in a sexual act, is guilty of rape if:
"Sexual act" means sexual contact between human beings consisting of contact between the penis and the vulva, the penis and the anus, the mouth and the penis, the mouth and the vulva, or the mouth and the anus. For the purposes of this Code, sexual contact between the penis and the vulva, or between the penis and the anus, occurs upon penetration, however slight. Emission is not required. Any person convicted of Rape shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person eighteen (18) years of age or older who engages in a sexual act (as defined in Chapter 3, Section 10.6) with another person who is between the ages of twelve (12) and fifteen (15) years, inclusive, is guilty of statutory rape. Any person convicted of Statutory Rape shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who exposes his or her genitals or other intimate parts under circumstances likely to cause affront or alarm is guilty of indecent exposure. Any person convicted of Indecent Exposure shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
A person who
"Sexual activity" means sexual act or sexual contact as defined in Chapter 3, Section 10.6. Any person convicted of Prostitution or Patronizing a Prostitute shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 plus court costs, or both.
The penalties provided for in this chapter are limited by the Indian Civil Rights Act, 25 U.S.C.A. 1301 et seq. The Major Crimes Act establishes fourteen enumerated crimes over which federal jurisdiction has been assumed and is concurrent with the Tribe's criminal jurisdiction. The United States may prosecute any intra-tribal crime listed in the Major Crimes Act as follows: Back to Top |