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La. R.S. 14:17

Mistake of law

Known as the Louisiana Criminal Code

The act spans §§ 14-1 to 14-9 (36 sections).

Ignorance of the provision of this Code or of any criminal statute is not a defense to any criminal prosecution. However, mistake of law which results in the lack of an intention that consequences which are criminal shall follow, is a defense to a criminal prosecution under the following circumstances:

(1) Where the offender reasonably relied on the act of the legislature in repealing an existing criminal provision, or in otherwise purporting to make the offender's conduct lawful; or

(2) Where the offender reasonably relied on a final judgment of a competent court of last resort that a provision making the conduct in question criminal was unconstitutional.

Official source: Louisiana State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Louisiana statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.