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Manslaughter Bail Bonds
In Louisiana
Manslaughter is one of the most serious charges Carter Bail Bonds handles — a homicide charge that sits between murder and negligent homicide under Louisiana law. Bail is set by a judge, amounts are substantial, and the process moves fast once bail is set. Carter Bail Bonds explains exactly what your loved one is facing and works with you 24/7 at Louisiana's straightforward 12% rate.
Table Of Contents
Jump straight to the manslaughter bail bond information you need — statutes, costs, process, eligibility, and FAQs.
What Is Manslaughter in Louisiana?
Manslaughter Bail Bonds by Type
How Much Does Manslaughter Bail Cost?
How The Manslaughter Bail Process Works
Bail Eligibility for Manslaughter Charges
Diversion Programs & Alternatives
What We Need When You Call
FAQs — Manslaughter Bail Bonds
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
What Is Manslaughter in Louisiana?
Manslaughter (La. R.S. 14:31) is a homicide charge — the unlawful killing of another person — but it's legally distinct from murder because it lacks the specific intent or aggravating circumstances that would elevate it to first or second degree murder. Louisiana law recognizes two main categories.
Voluntary Manslaughter
A homicide that would otherwise be murder, but was committed in "sudden passion or heat of blood" caused by provocation sufficient to deprive an average person of self-control — commonly known as a "heat of passion" killing.
Involuntary Manslaughter
Homicides committed without any intent to kill or cause great bodily harm — for example, a death occurring during a non-enumerated felony, during an intentional misdemeanor directly affecting a person, while resisting lawful arrest in a non-dangerous manner, or as part of a continuous sequence of events during a crime of violence where death was a foreseeable result.
Manslaughter is a felony under Louisiana law, and — importantly for bail purposes — it is a homicide charge, which means it is treated with significant seriousness at every stage of the bail process, even though it does not carry the same constitutional bail restrictions as a capital murder charge. See our Felony Bail Bonds overview.
Manslaughter Bail Bonds by Type — Penalties & Typical Bail
Louisiana manslaughter charges fall into two main categories under La. R.S. 14:31 — voluntary and involuntary. Both are felonies carrying up to 40 years at hard labor, and both drive substantial bail amounts.
Voluntary Manslaughter
Statute: La. R.S. 14:31(A)(1)
A homicide that would be first or second degree murder, but was committed in sudden passion or heat of blood caused by provocation sufficient to deprive an average person of self-control and cool reflection.
Imprisonment at hard labor, up to 40 years.
Involuntary Manslaughter
Statute: La. R.S. 14:31(A)(2)–(4)
A homicide committed without intent to cause death or great bodily harm — during a non-enumerated felony or intentional misdemeanor directly affecting a person, while resisting lawful arrest in a non-dangerous manner, as part of a continuous sequence of events during a crime of violence where death was foreseeable, or through unlawful distribution of a controlled dangerous substance that directly causes the recipient's death.
Imprisonment at hard labor, up to 40 years. If the victim was under age 10, a mandatory minimum of 10 years without benefit of parole or suspension applies, up to 40 years.
How Much Does
Manslaughter 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.
Manslaughter Bond Cost Examples
Payment plans are available. Manslaughter bonds are among the largest Carter Bail Bonds handles. We offer flexible monthly payment plans and low-down financing, though collateral is more commonly required on bonds of this size than on lower-tier charges.
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 Manslaughter Bail Process Works
From arrest to release, here's what happens when you call Carter Bail Bonds for a manslaughter bond in Calcasieu Parish or the surrounding parishes.
Step 1: Arrest & Booking
After a manslaughter 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. Given the severity of a homicide charge, bail is set by a judge — not a standard bail schedule — and often follows a bail hearing rather than automatic bail-setting.
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. Given the size of manslaughter bonds, collateral (property, vehicle title, or cosigner) is commonly part of the arrangement. 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. Given the severity of the charge, release timing can vary more than on lower-tier charges and may involve additional court coordination.
Step 6: Release & Court Requirements
After release, the defendant must attend every scheduled court date and comply with release conditions, which commonly include GPS monitoring and no-contact orders. Missing court can result in a warrant, bond forfeiture, and re-arrest.
Bail Eligibility for Manslaughter Charges
Manslaughter is a homicide charge, but unlike capital murder it does not carry the same constitutional bail restrictions — it is typically a bailable offense, though the amount and conditions reflect the seriousness of a homicide conviction.
Manslaughter Is Generally Bailable
Unlike capital murder charges, manslaughter does not carry the same constitutional bail restrictions under Louisiana law — it is not a capital offense. That means it is typically a bailable offense, though the amount reflects the seriousness of a homicide conviction.
When Bail May Be Increased, Restricted, or Denied
- Prior violent crime convictions
- Flight risk factors, particularly given the severity of potential sentencing (up to 40 years)
- Circumstances suggesting danger to a specific person or the public
- Outstanding warrants or a history of failing to appear
Conditions of Release
- GPS monitoring is common on homicide-related charges
- No contact with the victim's family or witnesses
- Surrender of passport in cases presenting flight risk
- Appearance at every scheduled court date
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
Manslaughter is not a diversion-eligible charge in Louisiana. Understanding why matters — it shapes what realistic next steps look like for a manslaughter case.
Manslaughter Charges Are Not Diversion-Eligible
Because manslaughter is a homicide charge carrying penalties of up to 40 years at hard labor, it does not qualify for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's standard Pre-Trial Diversion Program, which is designed for first-time, non-violent offenders. If you are facing a manslaughter charge, the most important step is securing experienced criminal defense counsel as early as possible — this is not a case where administrative programs or diversion are realistic options.
Carter Bail Bonds is a licensed bail bond company — we handle release from custody, not case disposition or legal defense. For legal representation, contact a Louisiana criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
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 the size of manslaughter bonds, knowing the court-set amount lets us start calculating your premium and collateral requirements immediately.
FAQs — Manslaughter Bail Bonds
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most about manslaughter bonds in Louisiana.
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
Carter Bail Bonds posts manslaughter 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