Louisiana Bail Bonds: Frequently Asked Questions

Louisiana sets the rate by statute. La. R.S. 22:1443 fixes the premium for a commercial bail bond at 12% of the face amount of the bond, or $120, whichever is greater. On top of that, La. R.S. 22:822 requires a fee of $2 for every $100 of liability paid to the parish sheriff — the sheriff cannot accept the bond without it. See our full cost breakdown.

No. The statute says the rate “shall be twelve percent” — it is a legislated rate, not a maximum that can be discounted. Rebating money or anything of value to the defendant or someone on their behalf is a felony under La. R.S. 22:1584. If an agency quotes you well below the statutory rate, ask what is being left out.

No. The premium is the fee for guaranteeing the full bond amount to the court. It is earned once the bond is posted and the defendant is released, even if the case is later dismissed. Collateral is different — Louisiana Department of Insurance Regulation 123 requires collateral to be returned within 30 days after the bail obligation is discharged, with any deductions itemized in writing.

The premium amount is fixed by law, but how it is paid can often be arranged, particularly where the co-signer has steady employment. Raise it on the first call. Note that La. R.S. 22:1585 bars a bondsman from surrendering a client for nonpayment of premium until at least 30 days after the bond is posted.

$120 is the statutory minimum premium, which applies to any bond under roughly $1,000. The sheriff’s fee applies on top of it.

It depends entirely on the facility and how busy it is. Some releases happen within about half an hour of the bond being accepted; others take several hours, particularly overnight in a large jail like East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, which handles roughly 25 admissions and releases a day. We stay in contact with the jail and keep you updated.

As soon as booking is complete and bail has been set. If the charge falls under the court’s bail schedule (Code of Criminal Procedure Article 315), that can be within a couple of hours. If a judge must set bail, Article 230.1 requires an appearance within 72 hours of arrest, excluding weekends and legal holidays.

Because bail may not have been set yet. Article 313 — Gwen’s Law — requires a contradictory bail hearing before bail is set in domestic abuse battery, protective order violation, stalking and certain force-related felony cases. The hearing must occur within five days of the probable cause determination, excluding weekends and holidays. Until then, no bond exists to post. See our domestic violence bonds page.

Yes. We answer 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Most of our calls arrive outside business hours, because that is when most arrests happen.

Usually not. Most of what we do happens by phone and at the jail. Paperwork can typically be handled without a co-signer driving across the parish in the middle of the night. If we do need to meet, our office is at 8670 Sandpiper St, Denham Springs.

Normally a valid photo ID, verifiable income or employment, and genuine ties to the area. As a co-signer you are guaranteeing the full face amount of the bond if the defendant fails to appear, and Code of Criminal Procedure Article 322 makes that indemnity agreement valid and enforceable. We walk you through the entire document before you sign it.

The mechanism is surrender of the defendant, not a refund. La. R.S. 22:1585 allows a bail bond producer to surrender a defendant, without refund of premium, where the indemnitor seeks to relieve themselves of the obligation on the bond. Call us and we will explain what that involves before you decide.

Money, personal property or real property, voluntarily pledged and reasonable in relation to the face amount of the bond, under Louisiana Department of Insurance Regulation 123. It must be documented in a written agreement and receipt, and returned within 30 days after the bail obligation is discharged. Storage or keeping fees may not be charged against it.

No, and it is a crime. La. R.S. 14:375 makes it an offence to charge a fee or receive anything of value to act as a personal surety on a criminal bail bond, punishable by up to five years where the amount is $500 or more. Attorneys representing clients are excepted. Only licensed bondsmen may charge for posting a bond.

The court issues an arrest warrant immediately (Article 333). Notice of that warrant must be sent to the defendant, the bail agent and the surety within 60 days (Article 334). From the date that notice is certified, the surety has 180 days to surrender or constructively surrender the defendant, which discharges the bond by operation of law (Article 331). After that window, the district attorney may move for a bond forfeiture judgment (Article 335). Call us the moment you know a date was missed — early, there are options.

Potentially, yes. That is what the indemnity agreement means. It is also why the 180-day surrender window exists and why we push hard to locate and surrender a defendant rather than let a forfeiture judgment be entered.

Article 338 lists specific circumstances in which no forfeiture judgment may be entered — service in the United States armed forces, being called to duty with the Louisiana National Guard under R.S. 29:7, or being prevented from appearing by a governor-declared state of emergency. Beyond those, tell us what happened as soon as possible.

No. Approach Freedom Bail Bonds is a licensed Louisiana bail bond agency. We can explain how bail works and what your bond paperwork says. We cannot give legal advice about your charges, negotiate with a prosecutor, or represent anyone in court. For that you need a licensed Louisiana criminal defense attorney.

Through the Louisiana Department of Insurance, as insurance producers with a bail bond line of authority. Requirements include being at least 18, eight hours of prelicensing education, a supervised three-month apprenticeship under La. R.S. 22:1574, fingerprinting, a state examination, and twelve hours of continuing education every two years. You can verify any bondsman’s license with the Department of Insurance.

East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Ascension, Tangipahoa, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, Pointe Coupee, East Feliciana and West Feliciana. See the service areas page for jail and courthouse details in each.

Yes, and this is one of the main reasons to use an agency licensed across the region. We check for additional holds before you pay anything and can clear bonds in multiple parishes in one coordinated effort. See our out-of-parish transfer bonds page.

Yes. We treat everything you tell us as confidential business information and do not discuss your family’s situation with anyone who is not part of the transaction. See our privacy policy.