LouisianaCourts may hold domestic abuse defendants without bail for up to 72 hours
Starting August 1, 2026, courts may hold people charged with certain domestic abuse-related crimes without bail for 48 to 72 hours after finding probable cause.
What it does
Courts may hold people charged with certain domestic abuse-related crimes without bail for 48 to 72 hours after finding probable cause. Before imposing the hold, they must consider facts showing increased risk to the victim.
Argument forConsidering signs of increased danger, such as threats or stalking, could give victims more time to seek safety while the court considers bail.
Argument againstA person accused of a crime could stay in jail without bail for at least 48 hours and up to 72 hours, even before a court decides whether to set bail.
More detail
A court may hold a person without bail for 48 to 72 hours after finding probable cause, meaning enough evidence to support the charge. This applies to people charged with domestic abuse battery, violating a protective order, stalking, or a listed felony involving force or a deadly weapon against a family member, household member, or dating partner. When deciding whether to impose this holding period, the court must consider facts showing increased risk to the victim. The holding period runs from the probable-cause finding and counts at the same time as the period in Article 230.1. The law takes effect August 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 8Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 834.Became Law
- Jun 8Effective date: 08/01/2026.
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the Senate.
- Jun 1Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- May 31Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 29Read by title, roll called, yeas 97, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1695). Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- May 26Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1321). Result: pass.Upper
- May 26Received from the Senate with amendments.Minor
- May 21Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- May 20Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- May 19Reported with amendments.Minor
- May 13Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.Minor
- May 12Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- May 11Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 5. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1089). Result: pass.Lower
- May 7Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- May 7Scheduled for floor debate on 05/11/2026.
- May 6Reported with amendments (10-0).Minor
- Mar 9Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.Minor
- Feb 27Prefiled.Minor
- Feb 27Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.Minor
- Feb 27First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.Introduced
Criminal Justice