State of Louisiana v. Glenn Thompkins A/k/a Glen Thompkins

Summary

The Supreme Court of Louisiana held that a 45‑year sentence imposed under the Habitual Offender Law for an obscenity conviction was grossly disproportionate and violated the state constitutional prohibition on excessive punishment, vacated the sentence and remanded for resentencing. Justice WEIMER concurred, emphasizing the constitutional ban, while Justice GUIDRY dissented, arguing the sentence was not unconstitutionally excessive.