Hilarious and Odd Louisiana Laws Still on the Books

Louisiana has plenty of laws that technically still exist, even if no one has enforced them since radios had tubes. Some of them are strange. Some are oddly specific. A few go from mildly odd to life-altering felony in a single sentence, which honestly feels very on brand.

These laws are still on the books, meaning they have not been formally removed. That does not mean anyone is out there actively policing them. Still, reading the wording feels like opening a time capsule labeled “Good Luck Explaining This in Court.”

Louisiana Rituals, Blood, and a Full Sprint to Prison

One law states that “ingesting blood or bodily fluids during a ritual” is illegal.  Louisiana Revised Statute § 14:107.1   That alone raises questions most people did not plan on asking today.  Then the punishment kicks in.

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Violating that statute can bring fines up to $25,000 and as much as 25 years in prison. There is no warning shot. There is no misdemeanor phase. You skip straight to the kind of sentence usually reserved for very serious crimes. Whatever was happening during that ritual clearly upset someone enough to go nuclear in the penalty section.

Louisiana Crawfish Traps Are Apparently Sacred

Another statute makes it illegal to “steal, take, or appropriate any crawfish trap set for the taking of crawfish.” R.S. 14:67.5 - Theft of Crawfish The wording is formal, almost polite, but the message is clear.

This law may sound funny until you remember crawfish season in Louisiana. At that point, it feels less like a law and more like common sense written down for emphasis.

Louisiana Alligators as Personal Property

There is also a law that refers to “any person unlawfully taking an alligator belonging to another.”   R.S. 14:67.13 (Theft of an alligator).  The phrasing treats alligators like bicycles or lawn equipment.  Not wildlife. Not a protected species. Just someone else’s gator.  That sentence alone tells you exactly what era this law comes from.

Morals, Manners, and Vibes

Some laws rely heavily on vibes. One statute bans “lewd, lascivious, or indecent conduct in a public place.” None of those terms are defined in the text. The law assumes everyone involved will just know when things have gone too far.

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Another gambling law bans “any scheme or contrivance intended to deceive or defraud.” It starts by assuming you are lying and works backward from there.

Why These Laws Are Still Active in Louisiana

Most of these laws stick around because repealing them is not a priority. Newer laws override them. Courts ignore them. Legislators move on.  Still, they remain, quietly waiting to be rediscovered and laughed at.

Louisiana history is strange, colorful, and occasionally aggressive. Even the law books reflect that.