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DUI Bail Bonds
In Louisiana
If you've been arrested for DWI in Calcasieu Parish or Southwest Louisiana, every hour matters. Carter Bail Bonds gets you out quickly with straightforward pricing set by state law, flexible payment plans, and agents available around the clock — nights, weekends, and holidays.
Table Of Contents
Jump straight to the DUI bail bond information you need — statutes, costs, process, eligibility, and FAQs.
What Is DUI/DWI in Louisiana?
DUI Bail Bonds by Type
How Much Does DUI Bail Cost?
How The DUI Bail Process Works
Bail Eligibility for DUI Charges
Diversion Programs & Alternatives
What We Need When You Call
FAQs — DUI Bail Bonds
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
What Is DUI/DWI in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, the offense is officially called DWI — Driving While Intoxicated — though "DUI" is used interchangeably in everyday conversation. The controlling statute is La. R.S. 14:98, which makes it illegal to operate a motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other means of conveyance while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or a combination of both.
BAC Thresholds
- 0.08% — Standard adult drivers (21 and older)
- 0.04% — Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders
- 0.02% — Drivers under 21 (Louisiana's "zero tolerance" law)
- Any measurable amount of a Schedule I – V controlled substance combined with alcohol may support a DWI charge, regardless of BAC.
Implied Consent
Under Louisiana's implied consent law (La. R.S. 32:661), operating a vehicle on public roads means you have already consented to a chemical breath, blood, or urine test if lawfully arrested for DWI. Refusing the test triggers an automatic driver's license suspension handled by the Office of Motor Vehicles — separate from the criminal case.
Two Cases at Once: OMV vs. Criminal Court
A Louisiana DWI arrest triggers two separate cases that move on parallel tracks: (1) the criminal case in district or city court, which is what a bail bond addresses — securing release while the case is pending; and (2) an administrative case with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) that governs driver's license suspension. The OMV case is time-sensitive — a hearing request typically must be made within a short window (currently 30 days for most drivers) or the suspension takes effect automatically. Carter Bail Bonds handles the bail; a DWI attorney handles both cases going forward.
DUI Bail Bonds by Type
Louisiana treats DWI offenses on a graduated scale — the more prior convictions, the higher the penalty and bail. Vehicular-injury and vehicular-homicide DWIs are prosecuted as violent felonies with substantially higher bail amounts.
First-Offense DWI
Statute: La. R.S. 14:98 / 14:98.1
Operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher (0.04% for CDL drivers, 0.02% for drivers under 21), or while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a controlled substance.
- Fine of $300 – $1,000
- 10 days to 6 months in parish jail (most jail time typically suspended in exchange for probation)
- Court-approved substance abuse and driver-improvement program
- Driver's license suspension (handled separately by OMV)
Second-Offense DWI
Statute: La. R.S. 14:98.2
A second DWI conviction within 10 years of the first. Louisiana treats repeat DWIs progressively more seriously.
- Fine of $750 – $1,000
- 30 days to 6 months in jail, with a minimum of 48 hours served without suspension
- Mandatory community service (240 hours minimum)
- Court-monitored substance abuse program and driver-improvement course
Third-Offense DWI (Felony)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:98.3
A third DWI conviction is a felony in Louisiana, regardless of the time span between offenses.
- Fine of $2,000
- 1 to 5 years imprisonment, with at least 1 year without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence
- Vehicle seizure and possible forfeiture
- Mandatory substance abuse treatment program
Fourth-Offense DWI (Felony)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:98.4
A fourth or subsequent DWI conviction, prosecuted as a serious felony.
- Fine of $5,000
- 10 to 30 years imprisonment, with at least 2 years without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension
- Vehicle forfeiture
- Long-term substance abuse treatment
DWI with a Minor in the Vehicle (Child Endangerment Law)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:98(B)
Louisiana's "Child Endangerment Law" applies when a child 12 years of age or younger is a passenger during a DWI. This is not a separate charge — it's an enhancement added to whichever DWI offense tier applies (1st through 4th offense). Its effect: the minimum mandatory jail sentence for that offense cannot be suspended, meaning the defendant must serve the mandatory minimum even if they'd otherwise qualify for probation.
- Removes eligibility for a suspended sentence on the mandatory minimum for 1st–4th offense DWI
- All standard penalties for the underlying DWI offense still apply on top of this
- May prompt a referral to child welfare services
Because this is an enhancement rather than a standalone charge, bail is set based on the underlying DWI offense tier (see Cards 1–4 above), not as a separate amount.
Depends on underlying offense
Vehicular Homicide (DWI-Related)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:32.1
Causing the death of another person while operating a vehicle under the influence — a serious violent felony in Louisiana.
- Fine of $2,000 – $15,000
- 5 to 30 years imprisonment, with at least 3 years without benefit of probation or parole
- Permanent driver's license revocation
Vehicular Negligent Injuring (DWI-Related)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:39.1
Causing bodily injury to another while operating a vehicle under the influence, without causing death.
- Fine of up to $2,000
- Up to 5 years imprisonment (with or without hard labor)
- Driver's license suspension
Underage DWI (Under 21)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:98.6
Louisiana enforces a lower BAC threshold of 0.02% for drivers under 21 — a small amount of alcohol is enough to trigger a DWI charge.
- Fine of $100 – $250 (first offense)
- Up to 6 months in jail or community service in lieu
- Automatic driver's license suspension
- Mandatory substance abuse education
How Much Does
DUI 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 rate is set by the state legislature — no licensed bail bond company in Louisiana can legally charge more (or less).
DUI Bond Cost Examples
Payment plans are available. The full 12% premium must be earned by the bail company, but we can spread it across installments for larger bonds. Collateral may be required for felony or high-bail bonds.
What the Premium Covers
- Posting the full bond at the jail
- 24/7 agent availability throughout the case
- Court-date reminders and compliance support
- Risk assessment and paperwork handling
How The DUI Bail Process Works
From arrest to release, here's what happens when you call Carter Bail Bonds for a DWI bond in Calcasieu Parish or the surrounding parishes.
Step 1: Arrest & Booking
After a DWI 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 — fingerprints, photo, and personal information entered into the system. Bail is set according to the parish bail schedule or by a judge, depending on the charge 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 — 12% of the bond amount by Louisiana law — payment plan options if you need one, and whether collateral applies to this specific bond. 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. Timing varies by facility and booking volume, but 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 — often including no-alcohol conditions, an ignition interlock device, or substance abuse evaluation. Missing court can result in a warrant, bond forfeiture, and re-arrest.
Bail Eligibility for DUI Charges
Most DWI charges in Louisiana are bailable while the case is pending. The judge's decision depends on the offense level, criminal history, flight risk, and any aggravating factors.
Generally Bail Eligible
- First- and second-offense DWI
- Third- and fourth-offense DWI (felony, but bailable in most cases)
- DWI with a minor passenger (enhancement, bail set on underlying offense)
- Underage DWI
- Vehicular negligent injuring (DWI-related)
May Be Held Without Bail
- Vehicular homicide (DWI-related death)
- Cases with multiple serious injury victims
- Defendants with active warrants or probation holds
- Flight risk or prior failures to appear
- Aggravating facts determined by a judge at a bail hearing
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 first-time offenders, the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office offers pre-trial programs that can resolve a 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 an alternative to prosecution. Participants complete a structured program — which may include community service, substance abuse counseling, 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.
DWI-Specific Pre-Trial Intervention
Some first-offense DWI defendants may qualify for a DWI-specific pre-trial intervention track focused on substance abuse evaluation, treatment where indicated, MADD Victim Impact Panel attendance, and driver-improvement coursework. Completion terms and eligibility are set case-by-case by the District Attorney's Office.
Diversion and PTI 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 DWI 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 bail has already been set, share the amount. If not, we'll help find out and calculate your premium.
FAQs — DUI Bail Bonds
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most about DWI bonds in Louisiana.
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
Carter Bail Bonds posts DWI 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