§1556. License to solicit or transact bail; prohibited activities

A. A bail bond producer shall not directly or indirectly permit any person, including an employee, to sign or execute a power of attorney or to effect the undertaking of bail for the release of a defendant or to apprehend or surrender a defendant on his behalf unless the person is properly licensed by the commissioner to perform such acts. This Section shall not prevent a bail bond producer from using mail, messenger or delivery service to file executed undertakings of bail or deliver bail bonds, nor shall it prevent such filing or delivery by the attorney or other agent of the defendant.

B. A bail bond producer shall not directly or indirectly give a gift of any kind to a prisoner of a jail or place of detention or to a public official or employee of a governmental agency whose duties, functions, or responsibilities include the administration of justice.

C. Upon first violation, a person or entity that violates Subsection A of this Section may be subjected to a six-month suspension of their license to write or solicit bail bonds and fined an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars. A second or any subsequent violation may subject the person or entity to a suspension of their license to write or solicit bail bonds for not more than one year and a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars. A hearing may be requested pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 12 of this Title, subject to the provisions of Chapter 13-B of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

D. A person or entity that violates Subsection B of this Section may be fined an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars for each violation. A hearing may be requested pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 12 of this Title, subject to the provisions of Chapter 13-B of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

Acts 2003, No. 497, §1, eff. June 20, 2003; Redesignated from R.S. 22:1142.1 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2011, No. 94, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2012; Acts 2018, No. 563, §1.

NOTE: Former R.S. 22:1556 redesignated as R.S. 22:2116 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.