Louisiana § RS 14:56.5 - Criminal damage to historic buildings or landmarks by defacing with graffiti
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:56.5 — Criminal damage to historic buildings or landmarks by defacing with graffiti, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 14:56.5. Criminal damage to historic buildings or landmarks by defacing with graffiti
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally deface with graffiti any historic building or landmark, whether publicly or privately owned, without the consent of the owner.
B. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) "Deface" or "defacing" is the damaging of any historic building or landmark by means of painting, marking, scratching, drawing, or etching with graffiti.
(2) "Graffiti" includes but is not limited to any sign, inscription, design, drawing, diagram, etching, sketch, symbol, lettering, name, or marking placed upon any historic building or landmark in such a manner and in such a location as to deface the property and be visible to the general public.
(3) "Historic building or landmark" means any of the following:
(a) Any building or landmark specifically designated as historically significant by the state historic preservation office, historic preservation district commission, landmarks commission, the planning or zoning commission of a governing authority, or by official action of a local political subdivision.
(b) Any structure located within a National Register Historic District, a local historic district, a Main Street District, a cultural products district, or a downtown development district.
C.(1) Whoever commits the crime of criminal damage to historic buildings or landmarks by defacing with graffiti shall be fined up to one thousand dollars and may be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years.
(2) The court shall also order the offender to perform the following hours of community service as follows:
(a) For a first conviction, not to exceed thirty-two hours over a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days.
(b) For a second or subsequent conviction, sixty-four hours over a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days.
(3) The fine and community service imposed by the provisions of this Section shall not be suspended.
Acts 2010, No. 990, §1.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 14:56.5
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:56.5 cover?
Section RS 14:56.5 ("Criminal damage to historic buildings or landmarks by defacing with graffiti") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 14:56.5?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:56.5" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 14:56.5 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.