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Theft Bail Bonds
In Louisiana
If a loved one has been arrested for theft, shoplifting, or robbery-adjacent charges in Calcasieu Parish or Southwest Louisiana, bail amounts vary significantly based on the dollar value involved. Carter Bail Bonds explains exactly what you're facing and gets you out fast — 24/7, straightforward 12% pricing, no hidden fees.
Table Of Contents
Jump straight to the theft bail bond information you need — statutes, costs, process, eligibility, and FAQs.
What Is Theft in Louisiana?
Theft Bail Bonds by Type
How Much Does Theft Bail Cost?
How The Theft Bail Process Works
Bail Eligibility for Theft Charges
Diversion Programs & Alternatives
What We Need When You Call
FAQs — Theft Bail Bonds
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
What Is Theft in Louisiana?
Theft in Louisiana is defined under La. R.S. 14:67 as the misappropriation or taking of anything of value belonging to another person, either without their consent or through fraudulent conduct — with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it.
Important 2024 Law Change
Louisiana theft penalties were most recently amended by Acts 2024, No. 267. If you're researching theft penalties online, older sources may show outdated dollar thresholds (the previous law used $500 and $1,500 breakpoints). The current law, in effect now, uses $1,000, $5,000, and $25,000 as the grading thresholds — this page reflects the current statute.
Grading Is Value-Based
The grade of the offense — misdemeanor or felony, and which felony tier — is determined entirely by the dollar value of what was taken, aggregated across the full scope of the offense if multiple acts were involved.
Theft Bail Bonds by Type
Louisiana theft charges are graded on a value-based scale, with enhancements for repeat offenders, assaultive shoplifting, and specific property types like motor vehicles and delivered packages.
Misdemeanor Theft
Statute: La. R.S. 14:67(B)
Theft where the value taken is less than $1,000. See our Misdemeanor Bail Bonds overview.
Jail up to 6 months; Fine up to $1,000; both may be imposed.
Felony Theft ($1,000 – $4,999)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:67(B)
Theft where the value taken is $1,000 or more, but less than $5,000.
Jail up to 5 years (with or without hard labor); Fine up to $3,000.
Felony Theft ($5,000 – $24,999)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:67(B)
Theft where the value taken is $5,000 or more, but less than $25,000.
Jail up to 10 years (with or without hard labor); Fine up to $10,000.
Felony Theft ($25,000 or More)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:67(B)
Theft where the value taken is $25,000 or more — the highest grading tier. See our Felony Bail Bonds overview.
5 to 20 years at hard labor; Fine up to $50,000.
Theft with Assault on a Store or Merchant Employee
Statute: La. R.S. 14:67(C)
Any theft (typically shoplifting) where the offender assaults a store or merchant's employee acting within their job duties during the commission or attempted commission of the theft. See our Felony Bail Bonds overview.
At least 15 days of the sentence must be served without benefit of probation or suspension, regardless of the underlying theft grade. All standard penalties for the underlying theft value also apply.
Typical Bail: Set based on underlying theft value, typically increased due to the assault component.
Theft of a Delivered Package (Porch Piracy)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:67(B)(1)(b)(ii)
Theft of a package that has been delivered to an inhabited dwelling owned by another — regardless of the dollar value of the package's contents.
Jail up to 2 years (with or without hard labor); Fine up to $2,000.
Repeat Theft Offender Enhancement
Statute: La. R.S. 14:67(B)(1)(b)(i)
Applies when the offender has two or more prior theft convictions, even if the current theft value would otherwise qualify as a lower-tier or misdemeanor offense.
Jail up to 2 years (with or without hard labor); Fine up to $2,000. Applies regardless of the current offense's dollar value.
Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Statute: La. R.S. 14:67.26
A separate, specific statute covering the taking of a motor vehicle without consent, taking control of a lost or mis-delivered vehicle without attempting to locate the owner, or knowingly taking control of a stolen vehicle — with intent to permanently deprive the owner.
Vary based on circumstances; typically prosecuted more severely than general property theft given the vehicle's value and public safety considerations.
How Much Does
Theft 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.
Theft Bond Cost Examples
Payment plans are available. Most families don't have the full premium available in one lump sum — especially on higher-value felony theft 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
- Zelle
- Cash accepted in person at our Lake Charles office
- Premium is non-refundable by Louisiana state law, regardless of case outcome
How The Theft Bail Process Works
From arrest to release, here's what happens when you call Carter Bail Bonds for a theft bond in Calcasieu Parish or the surrounding parishes.
Step 1: Arrest & Booking
After a theft 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 on the charge — theft's value-based tiers mean bail amounts vary more than most other charge types.
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. Missing court can result in a warrant, bond forfeiture, and re-arrest.
Bail Eligibility for Theft Charges
In Louisiana, theft charges — from misdemeanor through the highest felony tier — are bailable offenses. The judge or parish bail schedule sets an amount based on the offense grade, the defendant's prior record, and flight-risk factors. Carter Bail Bonds can post the bond as soon as the amount is set.
Theft Is Bailable
Every tier of theft under Louisiana law — from petty misdemeanor through $25,000+ felony — is a bailable offense. The bond amount is what varies, not eligibility itself.
When Bail May Be Increased or Restricted
- Prior theft convictions (repeat offender enhancement under 14:67(B)(1)(b)(i))
- Theft involving assault on a store or merchant employee (14:67(C))
- Outstanding warrants or a history of failing to appear
- Prior bond forfeitures on the defendant's record
- High-value theft ($25,000+) given the severity of potential sentencing
Conditions of Release
- No contact with the alleged victim or business (common on shoplifting/retail theft cases)
- Restitution arrangements may be discussed as part of release conditions
- 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
Shoplifting and theft are specifically identified as diversion-eligible offenses under Louisiana's pretrial intervention framework, making this section especially relevant for first-time theft defendants.
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. Participants complete a structured program, which may include community service, 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.
Why Theft Cases Often Qualify
Theft and shoplifting cases — especially first-offense, low-dollar-value incidents — are among the offenses most commonly accepted into pre-trial diversion. Restitution to the victim or store is frequently part of the program terms, along with community service and periodic reporting.
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 / Theft Value
Since theft bail is tied directly to dollar value, knowing the approximate amount taken helps us estimate your premium before we even confirm the exact court-set bail.
FAQs — Theft Bail Bonds
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most about theft bonds in Louisiana.
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
Carter Bail Bonds posts theft 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