• You can post the entire amount of the bond in cash with the court. This, not surprisingly, is know as a CASH BOND. At the conclusion of the case, you will have the entire amount of the bond you posted refunded to you.
• You can contact a licensed bail bondsman to post a COMMERCIAL SURETY BOND, more commonly known as a bail bond. This service is helpful if you cannot afford to post the entire amount of the bond in cash. For a fee (usually around 13% of the total bond), a bail bondsman will post the total amount of the bond for you. This fee is non-refundable.
• You may post a PROPERTY BOND. The court allows real property to be posted as bond, so long as there is sufficient equity in the proposed property to cover the full amount of the bond. The court holds and records a mortgage against the property in the amount of the bond, and cancels the mortgage only after the conclusion of the case. There is sometimes a fee associated with a property bond (to cover the cost of filing and recording the mortgage).
• A judge may choose to issue a RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE, or ROR bond. This is known in some states as a personal recognizance bond. It requires merely that a defendant sign a promise to return to court for trial whenever notified, but does not require posting any money either with the court or with a bail bondsman. Frequently, the services of a reputable attorney can be useful in appealing for a recognizance bond, as judges are more likely to grant this type of bond when they know a defendant is represented by counsel.
• A judge may grant a PERSONAL SURETY BOND (PSBU). This is similar to an ROR bond, except it is a signature bond by someone other than the defendant who pledges (but does not post) the full amount of the bond. Typically a hearing is held where the person signing the bond must establish that they have sufficient assets to cover the bond amount should the defendant forfeit the bond by failing to appear at court. If the bond is forfeited, the court can demand the amount of the bond from the signer of the bond, otherwise no money is ever required. In Orleans Parish there is a $200.00 fee for a PSBU.

An experienced attorney can:

• Help protect an arrested subject’s rights after arrest
• Insure that a bond is set in a timely manner
• Insure that bond is set at an appropriate amount
• Make a motion to reduce a bond that has been set too high
• Recommend a reputably bonding company to post bond
• Assist in the possible release of a defendant on their own recognizance

• murder / homicide
• manslaughter
• aggravated assault
• simple battery
• second degree battery
• aggravated battery
• arson
• kidnapping
• rape
• armed robbery
• first degree robbery
• simple robbery

Violent crimes generally carry more serious sentences, and in almost all case do not carry the possibility of probation. Because of this, it is very important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to begin to prepare your defense for any violent crime charge.

Drug-related crimes usually involve the following illegal drugs:

• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Cocaine (including Crack cocaine)
• Methamphetamine
• LSD
• Ecstasy
• Prescription drugs

In general the types of offenses charged include:

• Drug possession
• Possession with the intent to sell drugs
• Distribution of drugs
• Cultivation and manufacturing drugs
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Punishment for drug possession varies greatly in severity depending on the type and the amount of drug involved. Possession of marijuana, for instance, is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 6 months in Parish Prison. For all other types of drugs, a convicted individual will face significantly more severe penalties, as even the simple possession of all other drugs (including prescription pills) are felony offenses.

The laws and potential sentences vary depending on the type of drug involved, the particular offense charged, and the amount of drugs involved in the offense. Additionally, in all felony offenses, your sentence can vary depending upon your prior criminal history.

Because of the complicated nature of Louisiana law, you need an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to serve you throughout your drug arrest and trial.

In addition to the possibility of incarceration, the  long-term consequences of a felony conviction may include the loss of the right to vote; ineligibility for elected office or professional licenses; and restrictions on the right to possess weapons.

Many felony crimes DO however carry the possibility of probation, and even those crimes that carry mandatory prison time can be negotiated down by a skilled attorney to a lesser charge for which probation is an option. It is extremely important when charged with a felony offense to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney to assist you.

You Should:

• Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. If you have been charged with a felony offense you need a lawyer. The criminal process can be complex and confusing, and it’s important to understand your legal rights. The best way to be informed is to contact a Louisiana criminal attorney.
• Be courteous to police officers and comply with (reasonable) commands.
• Notice if anyone is around during your arrest or processing. They could be considered a witness in your favor.
• Exercise your right to remain silent. You should only answer questions regarding basic information, like your name and address. Do not answer any other questions.

You Should NOT:

• Attempt to represent yourself. In fact, most jurisdictions will not allow a defendant to represent themselves on felony charges. Felonies are serious. There are ways an experienced criminal defense attorney can reduce your sentence or negotiate a lesser charge. Give yourself the advantage of professional legal representation.
• Speak to anyone about details or facts of the case. Only do so if your attorney says otherwise.
• Make any statements. Don’t try to win your case on the street. Be courteous and cooperative, but don’t think for a minute that anything you say to a police officer is going to help you while on the scene. Let an experienced attorney fight and try to win your case in court.

Felonies are serious problems, but at NOLA Criminal Law I have been solving serious problems for people for a long time.

You can call or text me immediately on me cell phone at 504.237.5245, call my office at 504.528.9500, email me at townsend@nolacriminallaw.com, or find @nolalaw on twitter. If you prefer to use the contact form on this page or the “contact” page of this site, I can promise your request will be answered immediately.

• First offender pardon
• Dismissal / Set-aside of your conviction

In many cases a first offense felony conviction may be dismissed, set aside and expunged under the provisions of Article 893 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure.

When a conviction is entered under Art. 893, the court defers the imposition of sentence and places the defendant on probation under the supervision of the division of probation and parole. If the court finds at the conclusion of the probationary period that the probation of the defendant has been satisfactory, the court may set the conviction aside and dismiss the prosecution.  The dismissal of the prosecution shall have the same effect as acquittal, and the defendant is also entitled to have his or her record expunged.

In order to take advantage of the provisions of Article 893, your lawyers must make a motion with the court at the time of sentencing. If the motion is not made at sentencing, it may be more difficult or impossible to file for an expungement.

Therefore, it is extremely important that you have a competent criminal defense attorney to represent you t trial in order to take advantage of the Louisiana expungement provisions.