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Misdemeanor Bail Bonds
In Louisiana
Misdemeanors are Louisiana's less severe crime category, but "less severe" doesn't mean "no bail needed" — most misdemeanor charges still require a bond to secure release. Carter Bail Bonds explains how misdemeanor bail works and gets your loved one out fast, 24/7, at Louisiana's straightforward 12% rate.
Table Of Contents
Jump straight to the misdemeanor bail bond information you need — the legal definition, every misdemeanor charge we handle, costs, process, eligibility, and FAQs.
What Makes a Crime a Misdemeanor in Louisiana?
Misdemeanor Charges Carter Bail Bonds Handles
How Much Does Misdemeanor Bail Cost?
How The Misdemeanor Bail Process Works
Bail Eligibility for Misdemeanor Charges
Diversion Programs & Alternatives
What We Need When You Call
FAQs — Misdemeanor Bail Bonds
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
What Makes a Crime a Misdemeanor in Louisiana?
The Legal Definition
Under Louisiana law, a misdemeanor is defined simply as any crime other than a felony — meaning any offense for which the law does not allow a sentence of death or imprisonment at hard labor. Most misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine, though some carry higher maximums.
"Duncan Misdemeanors"
A small but important category — sometimes called "Duncan misdemeanors," named after the 1968 U.S. Supreme Court case Duncan v. Louisiana — carries higher potential penalties (fines over $1,000 or imprisonment over 6 months) and, because of that case, guarantees the defendant a right to a jury trial, unlike most misdemeanors which are tried by a judge alone.
Why It Matters for Bail
While misdemeanor penalties are lower than felony penalties, misdemeanor charges still typically require bail to secure release before trial, and Louisiana's 12% bail bond premium law applies equally to misdemeanors and felonies.
Misdemeanor Charges Carter Bail Bonds Handles
Misdemeanor charges Carter Bail Bonds regularly handles bail for include the following. Select any charge for full details on penalties, typical bail amounts, and the bail process for that specific offense.
Misdemeanor Crimes Against the Person
Misdemeanor Property Crimes
Misdemeanor DUI & Drug Charges
Misdemeanor Weapons Charges
Misdemeanor Procedural Charges
This list reflects the misdemeanor-tier cards found within each dedicated charge page — most charges on this site have both misdemeanor and felony versions depending on severity, prior record, or specific circumstances of the offense.
How Much Does
Misdemeanor 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, regardless of whether the charge is a misdemeanor or felony.
Misdemeanor Bond Cost Examples
Because the statutory minimum premium is $120, even a very low misdemeanor bail amount will typically result in a $120 premium rather than a smaller 12% calculation. Payment plans are available. Even with lower typical 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 Misdemeanor Bail Process Works
From arrest to release, here's what happens when you call Carter Bail Bonds for a misdemeanor bond in Calcasieu Parish or the surrounding parishes.
Step 1: Arrest & Booking
After a misdemeanor 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. Misdemeanor bail is frequently set according to a standard parish bail schedule, making the process faster than for many felony charges.
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 and payment options. Most misdemeanor bonds do not require collateral. 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 — often on the faster end for straightforward misdemeanor charges.
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. Missing court can result in a warrant, bond forfeiture, and a new "jumping bail" charge.
Bail Eligibility for Misdemeanor Charges
Misdemeanor charges are essentially always bailable in Louisiana, and are typically set on a standard parish bail schedule — meaning release can often happen faster than on more serious charges.
Misdemeanors Are Almost Always Bailable
Misdemeanor charges are essentially always bailable in Louisiana, and bail amounts are typically set according to a standard parish bail schedule rather than requiring an individualized judicial hearing — meaning release can often happen faster than on more serious charges.
When Misdemeanor Bail May Be Increased or Restricted
- A pattern of repeat misdemeanor convictions
- Domestic violence-related misdemeanors, which often carry protective order conditions
- Outstanding warrants or a history of failing to appear
Conditions of Release
- No-contact orders, common on assault, battery, or domestic-related misdemeanors
- 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
Most misdemeanor charges — particularly first offenses without aggravating circumstances — are among the strongest candidates for pre-trial diversion.
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. More information is available directly from the District Attorney's Office at calcasieuda.com.
Misdemeanors Are Strong Diversion Candidates
Most misdemeanor charges — particularly first offenses without aggravating circumstances — are among the strongest candidates for pre-trial diversion, since the program is specifically designed for lower-level, non-violent offenses.
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)
Since misdemeanor bail is often set on a standard schedule, this is frequently available quickly and lets us calculate your premium right away.
FAQs — Misdemeanor Bail Bonds
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most about misdemeanor bonds in Louisiana.
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
Carter Bail Bonds posts 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