Threatening A Public Official — LA RS 14:122.2
Under Louisiana law, threatening a public official is engaging in any verbal or written communication which threatens serious bodily injury or death to a public official.
Except as provided below, whoever commits the crime of threatening a public official shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both.
Whoever commits the crime of threatening a public official with the intent to influence his conduct in relation to his position, employment, or official duty, or in retaliation as reprisal for his previous action in relation to his position, employment, or official duty, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both.
This offense is a misdemeanor.
For the purpose of this Section, “public official” is defined as any executive, ministerial, administrative, judicial, or legislative officer of the state of Louisiana.
It is important to mention that if this threat crosses state lines, the offender could be charges under federal law for Threatening Communications, which is a felony.
Elizabeth B. Carpenter is a Criminal Defense Attorney in New Orleans who has experience defending people accused of threatening a public official. Ms. Carpenter has represented people for this offense in both federal and state court.