How to Avoid Sex Offenders on Your Halloween Route in Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, LA - Thousands of people will hit the streets for Halloween this year. Parents are advised to always stay with your children and keep an eye on them. This is vitally important for young children.

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Halloween is a time when predators might try to take advantage of youngsters.
But you should know the law. To make sure your fun doesn't turn into a real-life horror, Louisiana has a statute in place that makes sure convicted sex offenders are not allowed to participate in trick-or-treat festivities.

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Anyone convicted of a sex offense is not allowed to take part in Halloween events in Louisiana.

What Louisiana State Statute 14:313.1, Items A and B state are listed as follows:

A. It shall be unlawful for any person convicted of or who pleads guilty to a sex offense specified in R.S. 24:932 to distribute candy or other gifts to persons under eighteen years of age on or concerning Halloween, Mardi Gras, Easter, Christmas, or any other recognized holiday for which generally candy is distributed or other gifts given to persons under eighteen years of age.
B. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of to less than six months nor more than three years.

This means convicted sex offenders can not put on costumes or hand out candy for Halloween.

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It's a very easy thing to do. You click on the Louisiana State Police's Sex Offender Registry to look up your area or a particular person.

There is even a National Sex Offender Registry where you can look up information on people.

If you have information about a sex offender that is participating in Halloween you should report that information to your local law enforcement agency. There are penalties for offenders who violate laws. You can get six months to three years in jail.

Police will be enforcing this law. You should let your local police department know about anyone who might be violating this law.

You can make sure there are no convicted sex offenders in your neighborhood by checking the Louisiana State Police Sex Offender Registry.