Shreveport-Bossier Drivers Ask: Who’s the Witness on a Litter Ticket?

Folks around Shreveport and Bossier City have been asking a fair question: How can the state mail a litter ticket if an officer did not personally see it happen, and what about “the right to confront your accuser?” The answer is a little less dramatic than social media makes it sound. 

What Changed with 855-LA-LITTER 

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser explained on KEEL News on Wednesday the process where a person who sees littering can take a photo of the license plate, note the date, time, location, and vehicle, call 855-LA-LITTER, receive an affidavit, sign it after an investigation, and the driver can get a ticket by mail.  

That “affidavit” part matters. Keep Louisiana Beautiful says a citation requires the caller to be willing to sign an affidavit, and reports should include plate info, location, and any photos or video. LDWF also confirms 855-LA-LITTER is the state reporting line and that its law enforcement division leads litter enforcement. 

Can Louisiana Prosecute Litterers Without an Officer Eyewitness? 

Yes, in certain cases. Louisiana’s gross-littering law says a person may be found guilty even if the offense did not occur in the presence of a law enforcement officer, if the evidence presented establishes the defendant committed the offense.  

A key point: Citizen reporting does not replace an investigation. Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s enforcement guide says a report is helpful, but it does not provide enough information to skip investigative work.   

What About “Confront Your Accuser?” 

Louisiana’s Constitution says an accused person is entitled to confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him. The Sixth Amendment says the same right applies in criminal prosecutions. 

That does not require an officer to be the eyewitness. It means that if the state tries to prove its case using testimonial statements, courts have rules about live testimony and cross-examination. The U.S. Supreme Court has emphasized that testimonial statements generally require confrontation.