The 5 Most Common Criminal Charges in Louisiana May Surprise You

KNGT | Louisiana — You might think DWI would be the most common criminal charge in Louisiana. I did too. But according to Louisiana attorney Joshua S. Guillory, DWI doesn't even crack the top three. Now before I get to far into this story, Im talking about Criminal Charges, not Convictions. But this got me thinking, what kinda Outlaw behavior are we getting into in the Bayou State.

Top 5 Crimes Committed in Louisiana

#5 DWI
This one probably doesn't surprise anybody. Between all the parting we do here in Louisiana I kinda figured this would be higher on the list. If convicted of this one, you normally lose your license. And let's face it, losing your license in Louisiana ain't exactly convenient. We ain't got a subway running from Sulphur to Lake Charles.

#4 Domestic Violence
Number four is domestic violence. This one obviously ain't something to joke about. According to Guillory, these cases can involve abusive or threatening behavior between spouses, partners or family members. Louisiana takes domestic violence cases seriously, and the consequences can be severe. These situations can also get complicated fast because you're dealing with families, relationships and sometimes children on top of the criminal case.

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#3 Assault and Battery
Coming in at number three is assault and battery. And here's something I didn't really think about before reading up on this. Assault and battery aren't exactly the same thing. We've all seen arguments get heated. One minute folks are hollering. The next minute somebody makes a bad decision. And suddenly that argument has gotten WAY more serious.

READ MORE: Stolen Valor Could Become a Serious Crime In Louisiana

#2 Drug Offenses
Number two on the list is drug offenses. This can cover a lotta ground. According to Guillory, Louisiana drug charges can include possession, distribution and manufacturing of controlled substances. The type of drug, circumstances of the case and a person's previous record can all play a role in how serious things become. These cases can carry some pretty heavy consequences too. And when you start digging into Louisiana criminal law, you quickly realize "drug charge" isn't just one charge. There are a whole bunch of different situations that can fall under that umbrella.

#1 Theft
And here we go. The number one most common criminal charge on Guillory's Louisiana list is theft. I really figured DWI would be right here. But theft sits at the top of his list. Long story short, dont take things that arent yours! And theft can cover everything from smaller cases involving merchandise or property to much more serious situations involving things worth a whole lotta money. The value of what was taken and the circumstances surrounding the case can make a big difference in how serious the charge becomes.

Now, if you're out there outlawin' around Louisiana, just know these are some of the more common things folks get arrested for. And since they happen pretty often, I'd imagine law enforcement knows exactly what to watch for.