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Bail Amounts by Crime in California

How county bail schedules work, typical ranges by offense, and what changes the number.

California does not have one statewide bail amount for a given crime. Each county superior court publishes its own bail schedule, updated periodically, that assigns a presumptive dollar amount to each offense. That schedule is what law enforcement uses at booking. A judge can adjust it at the first court appearance. The ranges below show the average bail amount range for common charges across California counties, but the only authoritative figure is the current schedule in the county where the arrest happened.

Please note: The amounts on this page are general ranges for orientation only. They are not legal advice and they are not a quote. Bail schedules vary by county and change over time. Call us with the county and the specific charge and we will tell you the actual current amount.

How California Bail Schedules Work

Every year, the judges of each county superior court adopt a uniform bail schedule as required by California Penal Code section 1269b. The schedule lists offenses and the bail amount that applies before a judge reviews the case. This lets someone post bail directly at the jail without waiting for a court appearance.

Bail schedules also build in enhancements. Prior convictions, alleged use of a weapon, great bodily injury, gang allegations, or multiple counts can each increase the amount well beyond the base figure for the underlying charge.

Typical Bail Ranges for Misdemeanors

Misdemeanor bail is generally the lowest tier, and many minor misdemeanors carry a release on citation instead of bail at all.

• Offense — Typical bail range — What moves it
• Petty theft or shoplifting — $500 – $5,000 — Many minor cases are released on citation with no bail at all.
• First-offense DUI — $5,000 – $15,000 — Higher with injury or prior offenses.
• Simple battery — $2,500 – $10,000 — Rises if injury is alleged.
• Misdemeanor domestic violence — $20,000 – $50,000 — Frequently set well above other misdemeanors.
• Driving on a suspended license — $1,000 – $5,000 — Prior offenses push the amount up.

Typical Bail Ranges for Felonies

Felony bail climbs sharply with the seriousness of the offense, and violent felonies sit well above property offenses. There is no single official average bail amount for a felony in California because each county sets its own schedule, but across county schedules most felony bail lands somewhere between about $25,000 and $100,000, with serious violent felonies set far higher.

• Grand theft — $20,000 – $50,000 — Scales with the amount taken.
• Residential burglary — $50,000 or more — Occupied-home allegations raise it further.
• Drug possession for sale — $30,000 and up — Scales sharply with quantity and substance.
• Felony domestic violence — $50,000 or more — Higher with injury allegations.
• Assault with a deadly weapon — $50,000 – $100,000 — Great bodily injury adds an enhancement.
• Robbery — $100,000 or more — Weapon or injury allegations add more.
• Serious violent felonies — Several hundred thousand dollars and up — Prior strikes and multiple counts compound quickly.
• Murder and certain capital offenses — Typically no bail — Release requires a judge order.

Why the Same Charge Costs Different Amounts

Two people arrested for what sounds like the same offense can face very different bail amounts. Several factors drive that difference.

What Moves the Number

• The county. Each county sets its own schedule, and the gap between counties can be significant.
• Enhancements. Weapon use, injury, gang allegations, or prior strikes add to the base amount.
• Number of counts. Multiple charges are often added together rather than merged.
• Criminal history. Prior convictions and prior failures to appear push amounts higher.
• Probation or parole status. An arrest while on supervision can result in a hold with no bail.
• Outstanding warrants. A warrant from another case adds its own bail amount on top.

A Judge Can Change the Amount

The bail schedule is a starting point, not the final word. At arraignment, a judge reviews public safety, the seriousness of the alleged offense, the defendant's record, and the likelihood of appearing in court. The judge can keep the scheduled amount, raise it, reduce it, release the defendant on their own recognizance, or deny bail entirely.

A defense attorney can also file for a bail reduction hearing to argue for a lower amount based on ties to the community, employment, family responsibilities, and a clean record of court appearances.

What You Actually Pay

The bail schedule amount is not what you pay a bail bond company. California regulates bail bond premiums, and the standard rate is 10 percent of the full bail amount. On a $50,000 bail, the premium is $5,000. That premium is the fee for the service and is not refunded when the case ends.

For qualified co-signers, payment plans let you make a down payment and pay the balance over time, so the release does not have to wait for the full premium.

How are bail amounts set in California?

Each California county superior court publishes an annual bail schedule listing a presumptive bail amount for each offense. Law enforcement uses that schedule at booking, and a judge can raise, lower, or eliminate the amount at the first court appearance.

Are bail amounts the same in every California county?

No. Bail schedules are set county by county, so the same charge can carry a noticeably different bail amount in Los Angeles County than in Orange County or Ventura County. Schedules are also revised periodically.

What is the average bail amount for a felony in California?

There is no official statewide average, but felony bail commonly ranges from around $25,000 to $100,000 or more depending on the offense and the county. Serious violent felonies can reach several hundred thousand dollars, and some of the most serious charges carry no bail at all.

Can a judge change the bail amount on the schedule?

Yes. A judge can deviate from the bail schedule after considering public safety, the seriousness of the offense, the defendant's criminal record, and the likelihood of appearing in court. Defense counsel can also request a bail reduction hearing.

How much does a bail bond cost in California?

A bail bond premium in California is a state-regulated percentage of the full bail amount, standardly 10 percent. On a $50,000 bail, that is a $5,000 premium, and payment plans are commonly available for qualified co-signers.