The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor, or lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, is generally committed when (1) the offender touches the child’s body or gets the child to touch the child’s body, the offender’s body, or someone else; (2) the touching occurs on bare skin or through clothing; (3) the touching was for sexual reasons; and (4) the child was under 14 years of age.

Laws regarding lewd acts with a minor vary from state to state, including the required age of the child and the required elements of the criminal offense. And some states classify the criminal offense of lewd acts with minor as the criminal offense of indecency with a minor, or lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child, or a similar offense.

Some states have expanded the definition of these laws to include looking at the body or private parts of a child in a sexual manner, or causing or forcing a child to witness sex acts in the presence of the child. These states prosecute persons who engage in such activity in online video chat rooms for this criminal offense.

The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor (or similar offense) is generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Louisiana (LA), the criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor is addressed under the state's criminal statutes, specifically under the crime of 'indecent behavior with juveniles' and 'molestation of a juvenile'. According to Louisiana law, it is illegal for anyone to engage in any lewd or lascivious act with a person under the age of 17 when the offender is over the age of 17. The law covers a range of behaviors, including touching a minor for sexual gratification, whether over clothing or on bare skin, and getting a minor to touch themselves or someone else for sexual reasons. Additionally, Louisiana law criminalizes the production, distribution, or possession of pornography involving juveniles and considers certain acts of voyeurism, such as observing a minor's private areas for sexual gratification, as criminal offenses. The state also prosecutes individuals who engage in such activities online. The penalties for these offenses are severe and can include imprisonment, fines, and registration as a sex offender.