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La. Rev. Stat. § 14:285 (2026)

Unlawful communications; telephones and telecommunications devices; improper language; harassment; penalty

✓ current as of May 2026
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§285. Unlawful communications; telephones and telecommunications devices; improper language; harassment; penalty

            A. No person shall:

            (1) Engage in or institute a telephone call, telephone conversation, or telephone conference, with another person, or use any telecommunications device to send any text message or other message to another person directly, anonymously or otherwise, and therein use obscene, profane, vulgar, lewd, or lascivious language, or make any suggestion or proposal of an obscene nature or threaten any illegal or immoral act with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass any person.

            (2) Make repeated telephone communications or send repeated text messages or other messages using any telecommunications device directly to a person anonymously or otherwise in a manner reasonably expected to abuse, torment, harass, embarrass, or offend another, whether or not conversation ensues.

            (3) Make a telephone call and intentionally fail to hang up or disengage the connection.

            (4) Engage in a telephone call, conference, or recorded communication by using obscene language or by making a graphic description of a sexual act, or use any telecommunications device to send any text message or other message containing obscene language or any obscene content, anonymously or otherwise, directly to another person, when the offender knows or reasonably should know that such obscene or graphic language is directed to, or will be heard by, a minor. Lack of knowledge of age shall not constitute a defense.

            (5) Knowingly permit any telephone or any other telecommunications device under his control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this Section.

            B. Any offense as set forth in this Section shall be deemed to have been committed at either the place where the communication originated or at the place where the communication was received.

            C. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

            D. Upon second or subsequent offenses, the offender shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than two years, or both.

            E. For the purposes of this Section, "telecommunications device" shall mean any type of instrument, device, or machine that is capable of transmitting or receiving telephonic, electronic, radio, text, or data communications, including but not limited to a cellular telephone, a text-messaging device, a personal digital assistant, a computer, or any other similar wireless device that is designed to engage in a call or communicate text or data.

            Acts 1954, No. 435, §§1, 2. Amended by Acts 1958, No. 121, §§1, 2; Acts 1963, No. 54, §1; Acts 1966, No. 304, §1; Acts 1984, No. 477, §1; Acts 1999, No. 338, §1; Acts 2001, No. 944, §4; Acts 2018, No. 426, §1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 37 cases, 1961–2018 · leading case: State v. Gainey, 376 So. 2d 1240 (La. 1979).
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State v. Gainey, 376 So. 2d 1240 (La. 1979). · cites it 5× “The defendant was charged by bill of information with making obscene telephone calls in violation of R.S. 14:285. He filed a pretrial motion to quash the bill on the grounds that it is not in the long form provided for bills of information and it does not particularize any…”
State in Interest of TL, 514 So. 2d 217 (La. Ct. App. 1987). · cites it 8× “, a delinquent, for violating LSA-R.S. 14:285. In July 1986, three separate petitions were filed, alleging that the sixteen-year-old juvenile violated R.”
State in Interest of Dino, 359 So. 2d 586 (La. 1978). “R.S. 14:52, as amended by Act 53 of 1977); simple robbery— not more than seven years with or without hard labor (La.”
State v. Armstead, 432 So. 2d 837 (La. 1983). “R.S. 14:285, and of possessing an unregistered shotgun with a barrel of less than eighteen inches.”
State v. Hertzog, 131 So. 2d 788 (La. 1961). · cites it 3× “Betty Martrain, wherein you used vulgar language, * * Although the information did not refer to the statute denouncing the act allegedly committed it appears that the basis therefor was LRS 14:285 (Act 435 of 1954, as amended by Act 121 of 1958) which, in part, recites: “No…”
State v. Alleman, 439 So. 2d 418 (La. 1983). “R.S. 14:285. Because of a plea bargain the state dismissed two additional charges of this offense against the defendant.”
State v. Edwards, 261 So. 2d 649 (La. 1972). “Edwards was charged under R.S. 14:285 with making a telephone call in which he used obscene, profane, vulgar, lewd, lascivious, and indecent language and made a suggestion and proposal of an obscene nature, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, and harass another person.”
Coy v. Coy, 69 So. 3d 1270 (La. Ct. App. 2011). “R.S. 14:285, which provides in part that it is illegal to make repeated telephone communications in a manner reasonably expected to annoy, abuse, torment, harass, embarrass, or offend another.”
Zellinger v. Amalgamated Clothing, 683 So. 2d 726 (La. Ct. App. 1996). “R.S. 14:285) and unwarranted infringements of Zellinger's right to privacy, giving rise to a tort under La.”
State ex rel. D.J.S., 255 So. 3d 1177 (La. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 7× “R.S. 14:285 Within the general allegation that the evidence was insufficient to support the trial court's decision finding that D.”
Shirley v. Shirley, 107 So. 3d 99 (La. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “R.S. 14:285, Telephone Harassment. TESTIMONY John Shirley testified that: • Monica called him on July 26, 2011, to discuss financial issues, asking for funds so that she and their children could extend their Florida vacation; • During the phone call, she was in Destín, Florida;…”
State v. Henderson, 112 So. 3d 1038 (La. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 3× “R.S. 14:285 and one count of aggravated assault in violation of La.”
Show all 37 citing cases →
La. Rev. Stat. § 14:285(A): 1 case
State v. Higginbotham, 790 So. 2d 648 (La. Ct. App. 2001).
La. Rev. Stat. § 14:285(A)(1): 3 cases
State ex rel. D.J.S., 255 So. 3d 1177 (La. Ct. App. 2018). “R.S. 14:285 Within the general allegation that the evidence was insufficient to support the trial court's decision finding that D.”
State v. Kirsh, 273 So. 3d 1225 (La. Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Kirsh, 273 So. 3d 1225 (La. Ct. App. 2016).
La. Rev. Stat. § 14:285(A)(2): 2 cases
State ex rel. D.J.S., 255 So. 3d 1177 (La. Ct. App. 2018). “R.S. 14:285 Within the general allegation that the evidence was insufficient to support the trial court's decision finding that D.”
State v. Neames, 377 So. 2d 1018 (La. 1980).
La. Rev. Stat. § 14:285(B): 1 case
State v. Caracci, 573 So. 2d 1281 (La. Ct. App. 1991).
La. Rev. Stat. § 14:285(C): 2 cases
State v. Kirsh, 273 So. 3d 1225 (La. Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Kirsh, 273 So. 3d 1225 (La. Ct. App. 2016).
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