State v. Comeaux
State v. Comeaux
Opinion of the Court
The state appeals from a judgment quashing an indictment found against defendant under the following statute: Act No. 202 of 1912:
“An act to define and punish indecent assaults.
“Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Louisiana, that whoever, with or without his or her consent, shall indecently assault or take any indecent liberties with any child, whether male or female, under the age of sixteen years; or who, without his or her consent, shall indecently assault or take indecent liberties with any person, over the age of sixteen years, shall be deemed guilty of an indecent assault and upon- conviction, be fined not over one thousand dollars and be imprisoned, with or without hard labor not exceeding ten years, or both: Provided, that nothing in this act shall be taken to affect or repeal the laws now in existence against rape, assault with intent to commit rape, carnal knowledge, sodomy, crime against nature, abduction or incest: Provided, further, that nothing in this act shall be taken to affect the punishment or mode of procedure in any case heretofore committed and now pending in any court.”
It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the judgment appealed from be affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- STATE v. COMEAUX
- Cited By
- 31 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- (Syllabus by the Court.) 1. Ceiminai, Law (§ 5*) — Ceimes—Creation —Statutes. In Louisiana all crimes are statutory, and the determination and definition of the act, which are punishable as crimes, are purely legislative functions. [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Criminal Law, Cent. Dig. §§ 3, 4; Dec. Dig. § 5.*] 2. Assault and Battery (§ 59*) — Elements of Offense — Common Law Crimes — Indecent Assault. An indecent assault was not a crime known to the English common law in 1805 (Acts 1805, No. 50), when the Legislature of Louisiana provided that all the crimes, offenses, and misdemeanors named in the act of that year shall be taken, intended, and construed according to, and in conformity with, the common law of England. [Ed. Note. — For other eases, see Assault and Battery, Cent. Dig. § 85; Dec. Dig. § 59.*] 3. Assault and Battery (§ 59*) — Indecent Assault — Definition. Act No. 202 of 1912 provides a penalty for committing an indecent assault, but there is no law defining the crime of indecent assault. [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Assault and Battery, Cent. Dig. § 85; Dec. Dig. § 59.*]