BAIL BONDS

 When an individual is arrested for a crime they will be taken to the Plaquemines Parish Belle Chasse Lockup and booked prior to being incarcerated. Once arrested and booked, a defendant is entitled to have a bond set, except for capital cases. The basic release options available to a defendant as determined by the Judge are cash bail, surety bond, property bond and release on his own recognizance.

1. Cash Bail - Cash for the total amount of bail in the form of cashier’s check or money order delivered to the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office.  If the defendant appears for all scheduled court appearances, the bail is returned at the conclusion of the case.  If the defendant fails to appear, the bond is forfeited to the court.

2. Surety Bond - This process involves the arrestee or a relative/friend of the arrestee contacting a bail bondsman to arrange for a bond to be posted in the amount of bail to guaranty the arrestee’s return to court.

3. Property Bond - This option involves placing actual property with the court as security for the defendant’s release from custody.  If the defendant fails to appear for a court date, the court may take actions to foreclose on the property to obtain the forfeited bail amount.  When a judge signs a property bond the judge certifies to the sheriff’s office accepting the bond that the property is of sufficient value to justify a bond in the amount stated.

4. Own Recognizance - This process is sometimes offered to defendants with no past criminal record of non-violent offenses.  If a defendant fails to appear for a scheduled court date while out on this type of bond, usually the bond is forfeited and the defendant will be required to post one of the above listed bonds.