HB279

Provides relative to trial of misdemeanors

Introduced·2/23/26
Ment Text

Louisiana HB279 changes the monetary threshold for misdemeanors requiring a jury trial from $1,000 to $2,500.

Louisiana HB279 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to modify the monetary threshold for misdemeanors that require a jury trial. Currently, a defendant charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment for more than six months must be tried by a jury of six jurors. The proposed law raises this threshold to a fine exceeding $2,500. The change applies both prospectively and retroactively to all cases pending on the effective date of the law.

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  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
Administration of Criminal Justice Committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

0
1
R
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

History

Mar 9

House

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

Feb 27

House

First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.

Feb 23

House

Prefiled.