A felony is a crime that is punishable by imprisonment of more than one year. Generally speaking, felonies are the most serious crimes, such as those that are either particularly heinous, involve dangerous weapons or threaten relatively high amounts of financial damage or harm to property.  Additionally most drug possession cases (except for simple possession of marijuana) are classified as felonies.

• murder / homicide
• manslaughter
• aggravated assault
• simple battery
• second degree battery
• aggravated battery
• arson
• kidnapping
• rape
• armed robbery
• first degree robbery
• simple robbery

Violent crimes generally carry more serious sentences, and in almost all case do not carry the possibility of probation. Because of this, it is very important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to begin to prepare your defense for any violent crime charge.

Drug-related crimes usually involve the following illegal drugs:

• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Cocaine (including Crack cocaine)
• Methamphetamine
• LSD
• Ecstasy
• Prescription drugs

In general the types of offenses charged include:

• Drug possession
• Possession with the intent to sell drugs
• Distribution of drugs
• Cultivation and manufacturing drugs
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Punishment for drug possession varies greatly in severity depending on the type and the amount of drug involved. Possession of marijuana, for instance, is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 6 months in Parish Prison. For all other types of drugs, a convicted individual will face significantly more severe penalties, as even the simple possession of all other drugs (including prescription pills) are felony offenses.

The laws and potential sentences vary depending on the type of drug involved, the particular offense charged, and the amount of drugs involved in the offense. Additionally, in all felony offenses, your sentence can vary depending upon your prior criminal history.

Because of the complicated nature of Louisiana law, you need an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to serve you throughout your drug arrest and trial.

In addition to the possibility of incarceration, the  long-term consequences of a felony conviction may include the loss of the right to vote; ineligibility for elected office or professional licenses; and restrictions on the right to possess weapons.

Many felony crimes DO however carry the possibility of probation, and even those crimes that carry mandatory prison time can be negotiated down by a skilled attorney to a lesser charge for which probation is an option. It is extremely important when charged with a felony offense to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney to assist you.