2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 14:119 — Bribery of voters

§119.  Bribery of voters

A.  Bribery of voters is the giving or offering to give, directly or indirectly, any money, or anything of apparent present or prospective value to any voter at any general, primary, or special election, or at any convention of a recognized political party, with the intent to influence the voter in the casting of his ballot.

The acceptance of, or the offer to accept, directly or indirectly, any money, or anything of apparent present or prospective value, by any such voters under such circumstances shall also constitute bribery of voters.

B.  Whoever commits the crime of bribery of voters shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than two years, or both, for the first offense.  On a second offense, or any succeeding offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more than five thousand dollars or imprisonment at hard labor for not more than five years, or both.

C.  In the trial of persons charged with bribery of voters either the bribe-giver or the bribe-taker may give evidence, or make affidavit against the other, with immunity from prosecution in favor of the first informer, except for perjury in giving such testimony.

D.  Any fine imposed and collected from the convicted person or persons under the provisions of this Section shall be paid to the informer or informers who shall give information resulting in the conviction of said person or persons, provided that the informer or informers shall not have been party to the violation of this Section as either the bribe-giver or the bribe-taker.

Amended by Acts 1980, No. 558, §1, eff. July 23, 1980; Acts 1981, No. 510, §1; Acts 2001, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2001.