When most people think of sex crimes, they imagine sexual acts that are performed without the consent of another individual, such as rape or sexual assault. While these are arguably the most common sex crimes and certainly the most severe, it is still important to remember that there are other sex crimes that come with legal penalties, albeit significantly lower penalties. Some of these acts are called prohibited consensual sexual acts.
As you may be able to guess from their name, these laws refer to sexual acts that are prohibited under the law, even if they are consensual between two individuals. Louisiana has a few laws about such acts, covering HIV exposure, sodomy and obscenity, also referred to as indecent exposure. Each of these acts comes with its own penalty. For example, intentional exposure to the AIDS virus can be punished with up to 11 years of imprisonment and up to $6,000 in fines.
Sodomy is prohibited against both sexes, as well as with animals. The penalties for sodomy include fines of up to $2,000 or imprisonment of up to five years. Indecent exposure carries the least serious penalties, with fines ranging between $1,000 and $2,500 and/or imprisonment of between six months and three years.
It is important to be aware of these laws and their penalties, as sexual acts that you believe to be consensual and harmless may still be punishable under the law. For example, if you and your significant other get too loose during Mardi Gras in Louisiana and decide to engage in consensual sexual activity, you may be fined for obscenity if you engage in such acts in a public setting. If you find yourself accused of such a sex crime or any sex crime, it is in your best interests to meet with an attorney to help you build a strong case for your defense.
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