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Bail Bonds for Drug Charges
In Louisiana
Drug charge penalties in Louisiana vary enormously depending on the substance, the schedule it's classified under, and the amount involved — a small marijuana possession charge and a Schedule II distribution charge can result in vastly different bail amounts. Carter Bail Bonds explains exactly what your loved one is facing and gets them out fast, 24/7, at Louisiana's straightforward 12% rate.
Table Of Contents
Jump straight to the drug charge bail bond information you need — statutes, costs, process, eligibility, diversion, and FAQs.
How Louisiana Classifies Drug Charges
Drug Charge Bail Bonds by Type
How Much Does a Drug Charge Bail Bond Cost?
How The Drug Charge Bail Process Works
Bail Eligibility for Drug Charges
Diversion Programs & Alternatives
What We Need When You Call
FAQs — Drug Charge Bail Bonds
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
How Louisiana Classifies Drug Charges
Louisiana organizes controlled substances into Schedules I through V, based on medical use and potential for abuse. Marijuana and heroin fall under Schedule I; cocaine, methamphetamine, and most prescription opioids fall under Schedule II. Penalties differ sharply by schedule, by the specific substance, and — for most substances other than marijuana — by the weight involved, since Louisiana uses weight-based sentencing tiers that escalate significantly as quantity increases. See La. R.S. 40:966 and La. R.S. 40:967.
Marijuana Law Has Changed — Watch Your Sources
Louisiana's marijuana possession law has changed in recent years and continues to be one of the more frequently updated areas of the criminal code. This page reflects the current statute as of this writing — if you're researching this online elsewhere, double-check that any source you're reading reflects current law, not an older version.
Drug Charge Bail Bonds by Type — Penalties & Typical Bail
Louisiana drug charges range from a fine-only marijuana possession offense through hard-labor distribution charges. The substance, schedule, and quantity drive both the sentencing exposure and the typical bail amount.
Possession of Marijuana (14 Grams or Less)
Statute: La. R.S. 40:966(C)(2)(a)
Possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, or chemical derivatives thereof. See our Misdemeanor Bail Bonds overview.
Fine up to $100. No jail time specified at this tier under current law.
Possession of Marijuana (More Than 14 Grams)
Statute: La. R.S. 40:966(C)(2)(b)
Possession of more than 14 grams of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, or chemical derivatives thereof, first conviction.
Fine up to $500; imprisonment in parish jail up to 6 months; or both. Penalties increase on second and subsequent convictions.
Possession of Schedule I Narcotics (Other Than Marijuana)
Statute: La. R.S. 40:966(C)(1)
Possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance other than marijuana (such as heroin), in an aggregate weight of 2 grams or more but less than 28 grams.
Imprisonment with or without hard labor, 1 to 10 years; fine up to $5,000.
Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substances (Cocaine, Methamphetamine, etc.)
Statute: La. R.S. 40:967(C)
Knowing or intentional possession of a controlled substance classified under Schedule II, without a valid prescription.
Less than 2 grams (aggregate weight): imprisonment with or without hard labor up to 2 years; fine up to $5,000.
2 grams or more but less than 28 grams: imprisonment with or without hard labor, 1 to 5 years; fine up to $5,000.
Larger quantities carry significantly higher penalties under separate weight tiers of this same statute, not covered by this simple-possession card.
Distribution / Possession With Intent to Distribute
Statute: La. R.S. 40:967(A)/(B)
Manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance (excluding cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and methadone, which carry their own separate and more severe penalty tiers under this same statute). See our Felony Bail Bonds overview.
Imprisonment at hard labor, 2 to 30 years; fine up to $50,000.
How Much Does a
Drug Charge Bail Bond 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.
Drug Charge Bond Cost Examples
Payment plans are available. Distribution and higher-schedule possession charges can carry significant bond amounts. 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 Drug Charge Bail Process Works
From arrest to release, here's what happens when you call Carter Bail Bonds for a drug charge bond in Calcasieu Parish or the surrounding parishes.
Step 1: Arrest & Booking
After a drug-related 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 heavily on the substance, schedule, and weight involved.
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, and collateral requirements. 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, which may include drug testing. Missing court can result in a warrant, bond forfeiture, and re-arrest.
Bail Eligibility for Drug Charges
From low-level marijuana possession through distribution charges, drug offenses are typically bailable in Louisiana. Bail amounts vary enormously based on the substance, schedule, and quantity involved — more than almost any other charge category on this site.
Drug Charges Are Generally Bailable
From low-level marijuana possession through distribution charges, drug offenses are typically bailable in Louisiana. Bail amounts vary enormously based on the substance, schedule, and quantity involved — more than almost any other charge category on this site.
When Bail May Be Increased or Restricted
- Higher drug schedule (Schedule I or II versus lower schedules)
- Larger quantities pushing into higher weight-based sentencing tiers
- Distribution or possession-with-intent charges versus simple possession
- Prior drug convictions
- Outstanding warrants or a history of failing to appear
Conditions of Release
- Regular drug testing
- No contact with co-defendants in the same case
- 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 on low-quantity possession charges — pre-trial diversion can be one of the strongest options in this charge category. Distribution and possession-with-intent charges are far less likely to qualify.
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. Drug possession charges, especially lower-level marijuana possession, are among the offenses most commonly accepted into pre-trial diversion. More information is available directly from the District Attorney's Office at calcasieuda.com.
Why Simple Possession Cases Often Qualify
First-offense, low-quantity possession charges — particularly marijuana — are frequently considered strong candidates for diversion, since Louisiana's diversion framework is specifically designed to divert non-violent, first-time offenders away from the standard justice system. Distribution and possession-with-intent charges are far less likely to qualify given their severity.
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)
Given how widely drug charge bail amounts vary by substance and quantity, knowing the court-set amount lets us start calculating your premium and payment options immediately.
FAQs — Drug Charge Bail Bonds
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most about drug charge bonds in Louisiana.
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
Carter Bail Bonds posts drug charge 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