Louisiana Sentencing Commission (LSC)

About LSC

The enactment of statutes defining criminal offenses and the establishment of ranges of penalties for those offenses is a nature of substantive law solely within the prerogative of the Legislature. The determination and imposition of sentence in particular cases is generally the function of the sentencing court, subject to the appellate review and to mandatory sentences provided by law. The legislature has determined that the best interest of the state would be served by the development of a uniform sentencing policy for use by the Louisiana Judiciary. The purpose of the Louisiana Sentencing Commission is to assist the judiciary and the legislature in formulating such policy. The Commission shall conduct an annual review of the State’s Sentencing structure based upon existing criminal law and law relative to criminal procedure. The Commission may recommend such legislation as may be necessary and appropriate to achieve a uniform sentencing policy.