# La. Rev. Stat. § 15:83: Bail bond contracts

> Louisiana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S83

## Section

- **Citation:** La. Rev. Stat. § 15:83
- **Heading:** Bail bond contracts
- **Jurisdiction:** Louisiana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 15 / Section 83

## Text

A. As criminal bail bonds are contractual and civil in nature, their creation and enforcement are governed both by the laws applicable to civil contracts and by the laws set forth in the statutes and code articles governing criminal procedure.

B. The surety, when entering into a criminal bail bond obligation, must consider the risks of his undertaking and assume those risks reasonably foreseeable.

C.(1) The surety is not liable for his failure to perform when it is caused by a fortuitous event that makes performance impossible. A surety is, however, liable for his failure to perform when he has assumed the risk of such a fortuitous event.

(2) A fortuitous event is one that, at the time the contract was made, could not have been reasonably foreseen by the surety.

(3) A declaration of a disaster which qualifies for relief and assistance under Chapter 68 of Title 42 of the United States Code, the "Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act," meets the definition of a fortuitous event.

Acts 2006, No. 466, §1, eff. June 15, 2006.

## Nearby sections

- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:31 Confiscation and destruction of gambling devices](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S31.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:43 Attorneys; restrictions on search warrants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S43.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:82 Guaranteed arrest bond certificates as cash bail; forfeiture; sureties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S82.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:83 Bail bond contracts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S83.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:85 Failure to satisfy judgment of bond forfeiture](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S85.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:85.2 Posting of criminal bonds in parishes of Iberia, St. Mary, and St. Martin; fee assessed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S85.2.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:85.3 Posting of criminal bonds; Denham Springs Marshal's Office; additional fee assessed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S85.3.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:85.4 Posting of criminal bonds; Baton Rouge City Constable's Office; additional fee assessed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S85.4.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:86 Forfeiture of cash, checks, or securities and discharge of the bail undertaking](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S86.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:86.1 Unclaimed bail bonds; disposition; return to owner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S86.1.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:86.2 City Court of Thibodaux; unclaimed bail bonds; disposition; return to owner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S86.2.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:111 Parish of Orleans; salary of jury commissioners; vacancy; appointment of secretary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S111.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:112 Parish of Orleans; process servers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S112.md)
- [La. Rev. Stat. § 15:115 Service of jury commission process; general rule](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S115.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_LA_Crevised-statutes_T15_S83. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.