CHAPTER 2. SUSPENDED SENTENCE AND PROBATION

Art. 893. Suspension and deferral of sentence and probation in felony cases

            A.(1)(a) When it appears that the best interest of the public and of the defendant will be served, the court, after a first, second, or third conviction of a noncapital felony, may suspend, in whole or in part, the imposition or execution of either or both sentences, where suspension is allowed under the law, and in either or both cases place the defendant on probation under the supervision of the division of probation and parole. The court shall not suspend the sentence of a second or third conviction of R.S. 14:73.5. Except as provided in Paragraphs H and I of this Article, the period of probation shall be specified and shall not be more than five years.

            (b) The court shall not suspend the sentence of a second or third conviction of R.S. 14:81.1 or 81.2. If the court suspends the sentence of a first conviction of R.S. 14:81.1 or 81.2, the period of probation shall be specified and shall not be more than five years.

            (2) The court shall not suspend the sentence of a conviction for an offense that is designated in the court minutes as a crime of violence pursuant to Article 890.3, except a first conviction for an offense with a maximum prison sentence of ten years or less that was not committed against a family member or household member as defined by R.S. 14:35.3, or dating partner as defined by R.S. 46:2151. The period of probation shall be specified and shall not be more than five years.

            (3) The suspended sentence shall be regarded as a sentence for the purpose of granting or denying a new trial or appeal.

            (4) Supervised release as provided for by Chapter 3-E of Title 15 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 shall not be considered probation and shall not be limited by the five-year period for probation provided for by the provisions of this Paragraph.

            B.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when it appears that the best interest of the public and of the defendant will be served, the court, after a fourth or subsequent conviction of a noncapital felony may suspend, in whole or in part, the imposition or execution of the sentence upon consent of the district attorney.

            (2) After a third or fourth conviction of operating a vehicle while intoxicated pursuant to R.S. 14:98, the court may suspend, in whole or in part, the imposition or execution of the sentence when the defendant was not offered such alternatives prior to his fourth conviction of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and the following conditions exist:

            (a) The district attorney consents to the suspension of the sentence.

            (b) The court orders the defendant to do any of the following:

            (i) Enter and complete a program provided by the drug division of the district court pursuant to R.S. 13:5301 et seq.

            (ii) Enter and complete an established driving while intoxicated court or sobriety court program.

            (iii) Enter and complete a mental health court program established pursuant to R.S. 13:5351 et seq.

            (iv) Enter and complete a Veterans Court program established pursuant to R.S. 13:5361 et seq.

            (v) Enter and complete a reentry court program established pursuant to R.S. 13:5401.

            (vi) Reside for a minimum period of one year in a facility which conforms to the Judicial Agency Referral Residential Facility Regulatory Act, R.S. 40:2851 et seq.

            (vii) Enter and complete the Swift and Certain Probation Pilot Program established pursuant to R.S. 13:5371 et seq.

            (c) The defendant does not meet the requirements set forth in Paragraph F of this Article.

            (3) When suspension is allowed under this Paragraph, the defendant shall be placed on probation under the supervision of the division of probation and parole. If the defendant has been sentenced to complete a specialty court program as provided in Subsubparagraph (2)(b) of this Paragraph, the defendant may be placed on probation under the supervision of a probation office, agency, or officer designated by the court, other than the division of probation and parole of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The period of probation shall be specified and shall not be more than five years, except as provided in Paragraph H of this Article. The suspended sentence shall be regarded as a sentence for the purpose of granting or denying a new trial or appeal.

            C. If the sentence consists of both a fine and imprisonment, the court may impose the fine and suspend the sentence or place the defendant on probation as to the imprisonment.

            D. Except as otherwise provided by law, the court shall not suspend a felony sentence after the defendant has begun to serve the sentence.

            E.(1)(a) When it appears that the best interest of the public and of the defendant will be served, the court may defer, in whole or in part, the imposition of a sentence after conviction of a first offense noncapital felony under the conditions set forth in this Paragraph. When a conviction is entered under this Paragraph, the court may defer the imposition of sentence and place the defendant on probation under the supervision of the division of probation and parole.

            (b) The court shall not defer a sentence under this provision for an offense or an attempted offense that is designated in the court minutes as a crime of violence pursuant to Article 890.3 or that is defined as a sex offense by R.S. 15:541, involving a child under the age of seventeen years or for a violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law that is punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than ten years or for a violation of R.S. 40:966(A), 967(A), 968(A), 969(A), or 970(A).

            (2) Upon motion of the defendant, if the court finds at the conclusion of the probationary period that the probation of the defendant has been satisfactory, the court may set the conviction aside and dismiss the prosecution. The dismissal of the prosecution shall have the same effect as acquittal, except that the conviction may be considered as a first offense and provide the basis for subsequent prosecution of the party as a habitual offender except as provided in R.S. 15:529.1(C)(3). The conviction may be considered as a prior offense for purposes of any other law or laws relating to cumulation of offenses. Dismissal under this Paragraph shall occur only twice with respect to any person.

            (3)(a) When a case is accepted into a drug court division probation program pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 13:5304 and at the conclusion of the probationary period the court finds that the defendant has successfully completed all conditions of probation, the court with the concurrence of the district attorney may set aside the conviction and dismiss prosecution, whether the defendant's sentence was suspended under Paragraph A of this Article or deferred under Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph. The dismissal of prosecution shall have the same effect as an acquittal, except that the conviction may be considered as a first offense and provide the basis for subsequent prosecution of the party as a habitual offender except as provided in R.S. 15:529.1(C)(3). The conviction may be considered as a prior offense for purposes of any other law or laws relating to cumulation of offenses.

            (b) The court may extend the provisions of this Paragraph to any person who has previously successfully completed a drug court program and satisfactorily completed all other conditions of probation.

            (c) Dismissal under this Paragraph shall have the same effect as an acquittal for purposes of expungement under the provisions of Title XXXIV of this Code and may occur only twice with respect to any person.

            (4) When a defendant, who has been committed to the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to serve a sentence in the intensive incarceration program pursuant to the provisions of Article 895(B)(3), has successfully completed the intensive incarceration program as well as successfully completed all other conditions of parole or probation, and if the defendant is otherwise eligible, the court with the concurrence of the district attorney may set aside the conviction and dismiss prosecution, whether the defendant's sentence was suspended under Paragraph A of this Article or deferred under Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph. The dismissal of prosecution shall have the same effect as an acquittal, except that the conviction may be considered as a first offense and provide the basis for subsequent prosecution of the party as a habitual offender except as provided in R.S. 15:529.1(C)(3). The conviction may be considered as a prior offense for purposes of any other law or laws relating to cumulation of offenses. Dismissal under this Subparagraph shall have the same effect as an acquittal for purposes of expungement under the provisions of Title XXXIV of this Code and may occur only twice with respect to any person.

            F.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when it appears that the best interest of the public and of the defendant will be served, after the conviction of a defendant considered suitable for a drug or specialty court program pursuant to Article 904, the court may suspend, in whole or in part, the imposition or execution of the sentence when all of the following conditions are met:

            (a) The district attorney consents to the suspension of sentence.

            (b) There is an available drug or specialty court program recognized by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

            (c) The court orders the defendant to enter and complete any drug or specialty court program recognized by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

            (2) If the district attorney does not consent to the suspension of the sentence, the district attorney shall file his objection with written reasons into the record.

            (3) If the district attorney files an objection into the record, or if the court determines that a specialty court program is not available for the defendant, the court may sentence the defendant to any sentence provided for the offense by law.

            (4) When suspension of sentence is allowed pursuant to this Paragraph, the defendant may be placed on probation under the supervision of the division of probation and parole, or under the supervision of a probation office, agency, or officer designated by the court. The period of probation shall be specified and shall not exceed three years, except as provided in Paragraph H of this Article. The suspended sentence shall be regarded as a sentence for the purpose of granting or denying a motion for new trial or appeal.

            (5) Upon motion of the defendant, if the court finds at the conclusion of the probationary period that the probation of the defendant has been satisfactory, the court may set the conviction aside and dismiss the prosecution. The dismissal of the prosecution shall have the same effect as an acquittal, except that the conviction may be considered as a first offense and provide the basis for a subsequent prosecution of the party as a habitual offender, except as provided in R.S. 15:529.1(C)(3). The conviction also may be considered as a prior offense for purposes of any other provision of law relating to cumulation of offenses. Dismissal pursuant to this Paragraph shall occur only once with respect to any person.

            G. Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed as being a basis for destruction of records of the arrest and prosecution of any person convicted of a felony.

            H. If the court, with the consent of the district attorney, orders a defendant to enter and complete a program provided by the drug division of the district court pursuant to R.S. 13:5301, an established driving while intoxicated court or sobriety court program, a mental health court program established pursuant to R.S. 13:5351 et seq., a Veterans Court program established pursuant to R.S. 13:5361 et seq., a reentry court established pursuant to R.S. 13:5401, or the Swift and Certain Probation Pilot Program established pursuant to R.S. 13:5371, the court may place the defendant on probation for a period of not more than eight years if the court determines that successful completion of the program may require that period of probation to exceed the five-year limit. The period of probation as initially fixed or as extended shall not exceed eight years.

            I.(1) If a defendant is placed on supervised probation, the division of probation and parole shall submit to the court a compliance report when requested by the court, or when the division of probation and parole considers it necessary to have the court make a determination with respect to modification of terms or conditions of probation, termination of probation, revocation of probation, or other purpose proper under any provision of law.

            (2) For purposes of this Paragraph:

            (a) "Compliance" means the full completion of the terms and conditions of probation as imposed by the sentencing judge.

            (b) "Compliance report" means a report generated and signed by the division of probation and parole that contains clear and concise information relating to the defendant's performance and may contain a recommendation as to early termination.

            (3) After a review of the compliance report, if it is the recommendation of the division of probation and parole that the defendant is in compliance with the conditions of probation, in accordance with the compliance report, the court may terminate probation at such time as "satisfactorily completed", absent a showing of cause for a denial.

            (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 897(A), the court may terminate probation at any time as "satisfactorily completed" upon the final determination that the defendant is in compliance with the terms and conditions of probation.

            (5) If the court determines that the defendant has failed to successfully complete the terms and conditions of probation, the court may extend the probation for a period not to exceed two years for the purpose of allowing the defendant additional time to complete the terms of probation, additional conditions, the extension of probation, or the revocation of probation.

            (6) Absent extenuating circumstances, the court shall, within ten days of receipt of the compliance report, make an initial determination as to the issues presented and shall transmit the decision to the probation officer. The court shall disseminate the decision to the defendant, the division of probation and parole, and the prosecuting agency within ten days of receipt. The parties shall have ten days from receipt of the initial determination of the court to seek an expedited contradictory hearing for the purpose of challenging the court's determination. If no challenge is made within ten days, the court's initial determination shall become final and shall constitute a valid order of the court.

            Amended by Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 100, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 123, §1; Acts 1995, No. 990, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1251, §4; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 5, §1, eff. April 23, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 696, §1; Acts 2001, No. 403, §5 eff. June 15, 2001; Acts 2001, No. 1206, §3; Acts 2006, No. 242, §2; Acts 2006, No. 581, §1; Acts 2008, No. 104, §1; Acts 2009, No. 168, §1; Acts 2010, No. 801, §2, eff. June 30, 2010; Acts 2015, No. 199, §1; Acts 2016, No. 509, §1; Acts 2016, No. 676, §2, eff. June 17, 2016; Acts 2017, No. 280, §1, eff. Nov. 1, 2017; Acts 2018, No. 508, §1; Acts 2018, No. 668, §2; Acts 2019, No. 386, §2; Acts 2020, No. 70, §1; Acts 2021, No. 61, §1; Acts 2022, No. 615, §2; Acts 2024, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. July 1, 2024; Acts 2024, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 8, §1, eff. April 29, 2024; Acts 2024, No. 648, §1.

NOTE: Acts 2008, No. 104, §2, provides that the provisions of the Act are remedial and therefore shall apply retroactively.