DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 332 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Terry Brown
Abstract: Revises law regarding notice of a warrant for arrest.
Present law requires the defendant and personal surety signing a bail undertaking to provide the
address at which each can be served and a mailing address, if different. Requires a commercial
surety to provide a proper mailing address and electronic address to execute the bail undertaking.
Present law further requires the agent or bondsman posting the bail undertaking to place his proper
mailing address under his signature.
Proposed law retains present law but provides that the clerk shall comply with providing notice of
a warrant of arrest if the parties to receive notice have provided proper mailing and electronic
addresses to the clerk.
Present law provides that after a warrant for arrest is issued, the clerk of court has 60 days to send
a notice of warrant for arrest to the prosecuting attorney, the defendant, the bail agent or bondsman,
if any, and the personal surety.
Proposed law removes the requirement that a notice of warrant for arrest be sent to the defendant and
otherwise retains present law.
Proposed law also provides that the notice of warrant for arrest provisions do not apply to motor
vehicle violations.
Effective on Jan. 1, 2018.
(Amends C.Cr.P. Arts. 334 and 336(A)(3); Adds C.Cr.P. Art. 329(F))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Amend the proposed law requirement for the clerk to send notice of warrant for arrest to
the commercial surety to parties to receive notice if the proper mailing addresses and
electronic addresses are filed in the record.
2. Restore present law relative to the requirement for notice of warrant for arrest to be sent by electronic means to the bail agent or bondsman, if any, and the personal surety and
remove the requirement that the notice be sent to the defendant.
3. Add an effective date of Jan. 1, 2018.