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Burglary Bail Bonds
In Louisiana
Burglary charges in Louisiana range from unauthorized entry to aggravated burglary with a weapon, and the penalties — and bail amounts — vary sharply between them. Carter Bail Bonds explains exactly what you're facing and gets your loved one out fast, 24/7, at Louisiana's straightforward 12% rate.
Table Of Contents
Jump straight to the burglary bail bond information you need — statutes, costs, process, eligibility, and FAQs.
What Is Burglary in Louisiana?
Burglary Bail Bonds by Type
How Much Does Burglary Bail Cost?
How The Burglary Bail Process Works
Bail Eligibility for Burglary Charges
Diversion Programs & Alternatives
What We Need When You Call
FAQs — Burglary Bail Bonds
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
What Is Burglary in Louisiana?
Burglary in Louisiana centers on unauthorized entry into a dwelling, structure, or vehicle with the intent to commit a felony or theft inside. Unlike theft, burglary doesn't require anything to actually be taken — the unauthorized entry with criminal intent is enough to complete the crime.
Entry, Not Taking, Completes the Crime
Burglary is completed at the moment of unauthorized entry with criminal intent. Nothing has to actually be stolen for the charge to apply — which is why burglary is graded and penalized separately from theft.
How Louisiana Grades Burglary
Louisiana grades burglary charges based on three main factors: whether the location was an inhabited dwelling, whether the offender was armed, and whether anyone was present. These factors move a charge from a lesser offense (unauthorized entry) up through simple burglary to aggravated burglary — the most serious tier, carrying up to 30 years at hard labor.
Burglary Bail Bonds by Type
Louisiana burglary charges range from unauthorized entry through aggravated burglary with a weapon. The tier drives both the sentencing exposure and the typical bail amount.
Simple Burglary
Statute: La. R.S. 14:62(B)(1)
Unauthorized entry into any dwelling, vehicle, watercraft, structure, or cemetery with intent to commit a felony or theft inside (where the aggravated burglary circumstances below don't apply).
Fine up to $2,000; imprisonment with or without hard labor up to 12 years.
Simple Burglary While Armed with a Firearm
Statute: La. R.S. 14:62(B)(2)
Simple burglary where the offender is armed with a firearm during entry, or arms themselves with or possesses a firearm after entering.
Mandatory imprisonment with or without hard labor, not less than 3 years nor more than 12 years.
Multiple Simple Burglaries (Continuous Sequence)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:62(B)(3)
Committing multiple simple burglaries as part of a continuous sequence of events (e.g., burglarizing several vehicles or units in one outing).
Imprisonment with or without hard labor, not less than 1 year nor more than 12 years. At least 1 year must be served without benefit of probation or suspension.
Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling
Statute: La. R.S. 14:62.2
Unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling, house, apartment, or other structure used as a home, with intent to commit a felony or theft inside.
Imprisonment at hard labor, not less than 1 year nor more than 12 years.
Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling
Statute: La. R.S. 14:62.3
Intentional entry without authorization into an inhabited dwelling or home — without the intent to commit a felony or theft that simple burglary requires. Often a lesser-included charge relative to burglary. See our Misdemeanor Bail Bonds overview.
Fine up to $1,000; imprisonment with or without hard labor up to 6 years; or both.
Aggravated Burglary
Statute: La. R.S. 14:60
Unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling, or a structure/watercraft/movable where a person is present, with intent to commit a felony or theft, under any of these circumstances: the offender is armed with a dangerous weapon, arms themselves after entering, or commits a battery on any person while entering, inside, or leaving. See our Felony Bail Bonds overview.
Imprisonment at hard labor, not less than 1 year nor more than 30 years.
How Much Does
Burglary Bail Cost?
Louisiana law (La. R.S. 22:1443) sets the bail bond premium at 12% of the total bail amount, or $120, whichever is greater — the same rate across every licensed bail bond company in the state.
Burglary Bond Cost Examples
Payment plans are available. Burglary bonds — especially aggravated burglary — often carry higher amounts than other charge types. We offer flexible monthly payment plans and low-down financing so the defendant can get out now and pay over time.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- Zelle
- Cash accepted in person at our Lake Charles office
- Premium is non-refundable by Louisiana state law, regardless of case outcome
How The Burglary Bail Process Works
From arrest to release, here's what happens when you call Carter Bail Bonds for a burglary bond in Calcasieu Parish or the surrounding parishes.
Step 1: Arrest & Booking
After a burglary arrest in Calcasieu Parish, the defendant is transported to the Calcasieu Correctional Center (5410 E Broad St, Lake Charles, LA 70615 · 337-491-3800) for booking. Bail is set according to the parish bail schedule or by a judge, depending on the specific burglary charge and its severity.
Step 2: Call Carter Bail Bonds
Call us with the defendant's full name, date of birth, and the arresting agency. If you're missing details, tell us anyway — we can often locate the record ourselves through the jail's booking system.
Step 3: Review Costs & Sign Paperwork
Before anything is signed, we walk you through the exact premium, payment plan options if needed, and whether collateral applies — burglary bonds, particularly aggravated burglary, are more likely to involve collateral given the higher bond amounts. No hidden fees.
Step 4: Bond Is Posted at the Jail
Once paperwork and payment arrangements are complete, our licensed agent posts the bond directly at the facility holding the defendant.
Step 5: Release Processing
Jail staff process the release once the bond is posted. Release from Calcasieu Correctional Center typically happens within 2–8 hours after the bond is posted.
Step 6: Release & Court Requirements
After release, the defendant must attend every scheduled court date and comply with any release conditions set by the court — which may include no-contact orders with the property owner. Missing court can result in a warrant, bond forfeiture, and re-arrest.
Bail Eligibility for Burglary Charges
Every tier of burglary under Louisiana law — from unauthorized entry through aggravated burglary — is a bailable offense. What varies is the bond amount and the conditions the court imposes.
Burglary Is Bailable
Every tier of burglary under Louisiana law — from unauthorized entry through aggravated burglary — is a bailable offense. The bond amount is what varies, not eligibility itself.
When Bail May Be Increased or Restricted
- Aggravated burglary involving a weapon or battery against a person
- Burglary of an inhabited dwelling (higher public-safety weight given occupancy)
- Prior burglary or theft convictions
- Outstanding warrants or a history of failing to appear
- Prior bond forfeitures on the defendant's record
Conditions of Release
- No contact with the property owner or alleged victim
- No return to the property in question
- Appearance at every scheduled court date
- No new arrests while the case is pending
Bail eligibility is always decided by a judge. Carter Bail Bonds does not set bail amounts or determine release — we post the bond once the court has set it.
Diversion Programs & Alternatives to Incarceration
For eligible defendants — particularly first-time, non-violent offenders — pre-trial diversion can resolve a burglary case without a conviction on the defendant's permanent record.
Calcasieu Parish Pre-Trial Diversion
The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Pre-Trial Diversion Program gives eligible defendants — particularly first-time, non-violent offenders — an alternative to prosecution. Participants complete a structured program, which may include community service, restitution, and regular check-ins, and upon successful completion, the underlying charge is dismissed. More information is available directly from the District Attorney's Office at calcasieuda.com.
Why Burglary Cases Are Evaluated Case-by-Case
Unlike theft, where value alone often determines diversion eligibility, burglary diversion decisions weigh whether a weapon was involved, whether the dwelling was occupied, and whether any person was present or harmed. Lower-tier charges like unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling are more likely to be considered than aggravated burglary.
Diversion eligibility is determined entirely by the District Attorney's Office, not by Carter Bail Bonds. We are a licensed bail bond company — we handle release from custody, not case disposition. For questions about program eligibility, contact a Louisiana defense attorney or the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office directly.
What We Need When You Call
Having these details ready helps us move quickly and get your loved one released as fast as possible. Don't have everything? Call anyway — we can often look it up.
Full Legal Name
First, middle, and last name as it appears on their ID.
Date of Birth
Prevents confusion when multiple people share the same name in the booking system.
Jail / Detention Facility
In most Calcasieu Parish arrests, this is Calcasieu Correctional Center, 5410 E Broad St, Lake Charles, LA 70615.
Booking Number
Not required, but if you have it, it speeds up locating the record considerably.
Your Contact Info
Your name, phone number, and relationship to the defendant so we can keep you updated at every step.
Approximate Bail Amount (If Known)
If the court has already set bail, knowing the amount lets us start calculating your premium and payment options immediately.
FAQs — Burglary Bail Bonds
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most about burglary bonds in Louisiana.
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
Carter Bail Bonds posts burglary bonds across Southwest Louisiana. Select your parish to learn more, or call us directly if you don't see your parish listed — we work statewide.
Calcasieu Parish
Lake Charles · Sulphur · Westlake · Iowa · Vinton
Jefferson Davis Parish
Jennings · Welsh · Lake Arthur · Elton
Beauregard Parish
DeRidder · Merryville · DeQuincy area
Allen Parish
Oakdale · Oberlin · Kinder · Elizabeth
Cameron Parish
Cameron · Creole · Grand Chenier · Hackberry