Third degree rape is defined by listed non-consensual or incapacity-based circumstances, and a person who commits it must be imprisoned at hard labor for up to 25 years without parole, probation, or suspension.
§43. Third degree rape A. Third degree rape is a rape committed when the anal, oral, or vaginal sexual intercourse is deemed to be without the lawful consent of a victim because it is committed under any one or more of the following circumstances: (1) When the victim is incapable of resisting or of understanding the nature of the act by reason of a stupor or abnormal condition of mind produced by an intoxicating agent or any cause and the offender knew or should have known of the victim's incapacity. (2) When the victim, through unsoundness of mind, is temporarily or permanently incapable of understanding the nature of the act and the offender knew or should have known of the victim's incapacity. (3) When the victim submits under the belief that the person committing the act is someone known to the victim, other than the offender, and such belief is intentionally induced by any artifice, pretense, or concealment practiced by the offender. (4) When the offender acts without the consent of the victim. B. Whoever commits the crime of third degree rape shall be imprisoned at hard labor, without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, for not more than twenty-five years. C. For all purposes, "simple rape" and "third degree rape" mean the offense defined by the provisions of this Section and any reference to the crime of simple rape is the same as a reference to the crime of third degree rape. Any act in violation of the provisions of this Section committed on or after August 1, 2015, shall be referred to as "third degree rape". Acts 1978, No. 239, §1; Acts 1990, No. 722, §1; Acts 1995, No. 946, §2; Acts 1997, No. 862, §1; Acts 2001, No. 131, §1; Acts 2001, No. 301, §1; Acts 2003, No. 232, §1; Acts 2003, No. 759, §1; Acts 2010, No. 359, §1; Acts 2015, No. 184, §1; Acts 2015, No. 256, §1.