§34. Aggravated battery
A. Aggravated battery is a battery committed with a dangerous weapon.
B. Whoever commits an aggravated battery shall be fined not more than five
thousand dollars, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than ten years, or both.
At least one year of the sentence imposed shall be served without benefit of parole,
probation, or suspension of sentence if the offender knew or should have known that the
victim is an active member of the United States Armed Forces or is a disabled veteran and
the aggravated battery was committed because of that status.
C. For purposes of this Section, the following words shall have the following
meanings:
(1) "Active member of the United States Armed Forces" shall mean an active
member of the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy,
the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard,
or the National Guard.
(2) "Disabled veteran" shall mean a veteran member of the United States Army, the
United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United
States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, or the National Guard who is disabled
as determined by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.
Acts 1978, No. 394, §1. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 708, §1; Acts 2012, No. 40,
§1; Acts 2025, No. 137, §2.