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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?
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
Statute: La. R.S. 14:98.6
DWI committed while a child under 13 is a passenger — carries enhanced, non-suspendable penalties on top of the underlying DWI.
- Additional 6 months to 5 years imprisonment (without benefit of suspension)
- All standard DWI penalties on top of the enhancement
- Referral to child welfare services may be triggered
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
No — the 12% premium is non-refundable by Louisiana state law, regardless of the case outcome. It is the service fee for posting the bond and taking on the financial risk of the defendant appearing in court.
Payment Plans
Most families don't have the full premium available in one lump sum — especially for felony DWI bonds. 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, and Zelle. Cash accepted in person at our Lake Charles office.
No Credit Check
We do not run credit checks to approve a bail bond or a payment plan. We look at the situation as a whole, not a credit score.
How The DUI Bail Process Works
From the moment of arrest to walking out the front door of the jail, here's exactly what happens — and where we step in.
Step 1: Arrest & Booking
After a DWI arrest in Calcasieu Parish, the defendant is transported to the Calcasieu Correctional Center (5400 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
Under the Louisiana Constitution, most defendants have a right to bail. Here's when that right applies to DWI cases — and the narrow situations where a court may restrict it.
DUI Is Bailable
In Louisiana, DWI charges — from first-offense misdemeanor through fourth-offense felony — are bailable offenses. The judge or parish bail schedule sets an amount based on the offense level, the defendant's prior record, and flight-risk factors. Carter Bail Bonds can post the bond as soon as the amount is set.
When Bail May Be Denied or Restricted
- Vehicular homicide charges (La. R.S. 14:32.1) where the state seeks a high bail or house-arrest conditions
- DWI while on active probation or parole for a prior felony
- Outstanding warrants or a history of failing to appear
- Prior bond forfeitures on the defendant's record
- Fourth-offense DWI with aggravating circumstances
Conditions of Release
- No consumption of alcohol or controlled substances
- Ignition interlock device (IID) — common on 2nd+ offenses
- Continuous alcohol monitoring (SCRAM bracelet) for repeat offenses
- Substance abuse evaluation and, if ordered, treatment
- Random drug and alcohol screening
- Appearance at every scheduled court date
- No new arrests while the case is pending
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, 5400 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.