Felony Theft Amount and Penalties in Louisiana

Less than $1,000 — imprisonment for not more than six months, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both (two or more prior theft convictions, or theft of a package delivered to an inhabited dwelling: with or without hard labor for not more than two years, fine not more than $2,000, or both). $1,000 or more but less than $5,000 — with or without hard labor for not more than five years, fine not more than $3,000, or both. $5,000 or more but less than $25,000 — with or without hard labor for not more than ten years, fine not more than $10,000, or both. $25,000 or more — at hard labor for not more than twenty years, fine not more than $50,000, or both. When there are a number of distinct takings, the aggregate amount determines the grade of the offense.

Louisiana's Criminal Code does not group felonies into numbered classes. A 'felony' is any crime for which an offender may be sentenced to death or imprisonment at hard labor; the maximum prison term and fine are set in each offense's own statute (for example, theft of $25,000 or more carries imprisonment at hard labor for not more than 20 years and a fine of not more than $50,000, R.S. 14:67(B)(1)).

A 'misdemeanor' is any crime other than a felony. Misdemeanors are not divided into classes; the jail term and fine are set in each offense's statute (for example, theft of less than $1,000: imprisonment for not more than six months, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both, R.S. 14:67(B)(4)(a)).