Premium/Fees
State Laws Governing Premiums and Fees on Bail Bonds
$25 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY FEE
R.S. 22:855(B)(2)(b)
The policy fee collected by the agent under this subsection shall not exceed twenty-five dollars for any criminal bail bond or homeowners or personal automobile insurance, other than surplus line insurance or risks which are not normal and not insurable at standard rates.
12% BAIL BOND PREMIUM FEE
R.S. 22:1443
The premium rate set for commercial surety underwriting criminal bail bonds in the various courts throughout the state of Louisiana shall not be subject to the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission’s rates, but shall be set and adjusted by the legislature. The rate for all commercial surety underwriters writing criminal bail bonds in the state of Louisiana shall be twelve percent of the face amount of the bond, or sixty dollars, whichever is greater. The fee on premium as provided for by R.S. 13:718(I)(2) shall be exclusive of the limit set by this Section. All other provisions of the code relating to enforcement of the rate shall be effective and enforced in accordance with all parts of this section.
½% FEE IN JEFFERSON PARISH ONLY
R.S. 13:718(I)(2)(a)
Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 22:1065.1 and 1404.3, and in addition to the fee imposed by those sections, there is hereby imposed a fee on premium for all commercial surety underwriters who write criminal bail bonds in Jefferson Parish. The fee shall be equal to fifty dollars for each ten thousand dollars worth of liability underwritten by the surety.
13% BAIL BOND PREMIUM FEE in the city of New Orleans ONLY
R.S. 22:822
In the parish of Orleans, the fee shall be equal to three dollars for each one hundred dollars worth of liability underwritten by the commercial surety. This shall be the exclusive fee or tax on any criminal bail bond premium, including thereto premium taxes owed. In furtherance of the payment of this premium fee, all commercial surety underwriters underwriting criminal bail bonds in the parish of Orleans shall, upon submitting the appearance bond and their power of attorney, simultaneously pay to the sheriff a fee of five dollars for each one hundred dollars worth of liability on the bail bond being presented for the release of a person on bail.
$15.00 JAIL FEE
R.S. 33:1432(9)
The compensation, fees and costs allowed sheriffs, the parish of Orleans excepted, for all services in criminal matters, shall be the following:
For taking appearance bond when required to do so, fifteen dollars, unless suspended by a judge of the district court of the parish. A judge of the district court of the parish shall waive this fee if a defendant has been tried and found not guilty or if the charges against the defendant are dismissed.
$15.00 JAIL FEE
R.S. 15:85.1(A)(C) – ACT 942 (2003)
There shall be a fee in the amount of fifteen dollars assessed in connection with the issuance of every criminal bond posted within each parish. The fee shall be collected by the sheriff of each parish from every person seeking release by mean of a criminal bond, or their designated representative.
Any person who claims to be incapable of paying the fee to secure his release from jail may petition the district court for a waiver or refund of the fee assessed pursuant to the provisions of this section.
Any person found not guilty or any person against whom criminal charges are brought and thereafter dismissed may petition the district court for a refund of the fee assessed pursuant to the provisions of this section.
SURRENDER FOR NON-PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS
R.S. 22:1585 – ACT 119 (2003)
Before a breach of an undertaking occurs, a surety or bail bond producer may surrender a defendant, or the defendant may surrender himself, to the official to whose custody the defendant was committed at the time the bail was given. The defendant may be surrendered without a return of the premium if he changes addresses without notifying his bail bond producer or surety, conceals himself, leaves the jurisdiction of the court without the permission of his bail bond producer or surety, fails to appear in any court at any time, or if the indemnitor seeks to relieve himself of his obligation on the bond. A bail bond producer shall not surrender a client for non-payment of premium until thirty days after the date the bond is posted.