Right to Bail in Louisiana

The Louisiana Constitution states:

§18.  Right to Bail

Section 18.(A)  Excessive bail shall not be required.  Before and during a trial, a person shall be bailable by sufficient surety, except when he is charged with a capital offense and the proof is evident and the presumption of guilt is great.  After conviction and before sentencing, a person shall be bailable if the maximum sentence which may be imposed is imprisonment for five years or less; and the judge may grant bail if the maximum sentence which may be imposed is imprisonment exceeding five years.  After sentencing and until final judgment, a person shall be bailable if the sentence actually imposed is five years or less; and the judge may grant bail if the sentence actually imposed exceeds imprisonment for five years.

(B)  However, a person charged with a crime of violence as defined by law or with production, manufacture, distribution, or dispensing or possession with intent to produce, manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled dangerous substance as defined  by the Louisiana Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, and the proof is evident and the presumption of guilt is great, shall  not be bailable if, after a contradictory hearing, the judge or magistrate finds by clear and convincing evidence that there is a substantial risk that the person may flee or poses an imminent danger to any other person or the community.

Acts 1997, No. 1498, §1, approved Oct. 3, 1998, eff. Nov. 5, 1998.