Whether you or a loved one gets in trouble with the law, then you might have to pay bail to secure your release from jail. Think of a bail bond as your guarantee to the court that you will show up to all the court dates.
Securing a bail bond will allow you or your loved one to get back to your normal activities as soon as possible. It also gives you ample time to focus on your case. One common question our experienced agents hear is how much can bail cost.
In this guide, we'll discuss bail costs, including bail cost for DUI, bail cost for assault, and bail cost for domestic violence.
Who Pays Bail Money?
Wondering how bail is set? After the police arrest you or a friend, they will book you into jail after recording your personal information and taking your fingerprints.
They will also interrogate you and take your personal belongings. After that, a judge will determine how much bail you should pay at your first court appearance, also known as the arraignment stage. The judge can decide to release you without bail or set bail depending on various factors like:
The nature of the crime
Your criminal history
Whether you are on probation or parole
Whether you show up to all your court dates
How is the Bail Amount Determined?
The actual cost of bail bonds in San Diego, California, varies depending on the seriousness of the alleged crime. When evaluating the seriousness of your alleged crime, the judge will consider whether you have threatened the witnesses or the victim, and used deadly weapons like a gun to commit the crime.
The judge can also decide to increase or reduce your bail amount based on your criminal history and likelihood to show up to all your court cases. Above all, the judge will evaluate your criminal history to determine whether you are a danger to the community.
How Much Does Bail Bond Cost in San Diego, California?
Usually, the bail premium is 10% of the total bail amount. If the bail amount is $15,000, the bail premium will be $1500. This small percentage is a deposit you have to pay to compensate the bail agent for taking a financial risk. Please note that this bail premium is non-refundable.
Bail Cost for DUI in San Diego
Bail cost for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense in San Diego. The bail amount for DUI varies depending on the types of DUI charges:
Minor driving under the influence with blood alcohol levels above .01% - $70
Driver under 21 driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content of above .05% - $250
DUI 1st offense with a blood-alcohol level of above .08% - $2,500
DUI 2nd offense with a blood-alcohol content of above .08% - $10,000
DUI 3rd offense with a blood-alcohol content of above .08% - $15,000
DUI 1st offense with a blood-alcohol level of above .15% - $5,000
DUI 2nd offense with a blood-alcohol content of above .15% - $12,500
DUI 3rd offense with a blood-alcohol content of above .15% - $17,500
The charges can quickly turn to a felony if you have previous DUIs or hit and runs. If someone dies, the DUI charge can turn into manslaughter or murder.
Bail Cost for Domestic Violence in San Diego
The San Diego police department takes allegations of domestic violence seriously. Domestic violence charges are classified as a felony or misdemeanor. Felony domestic violence charges carry heavy fines and up to 4 years in state prison. Your actual bail cost for domestic violence will depend on your criminal history, whether a weapon was used, and the number of repeat offenses.
As a misdemeanor, domestic violence bail costs around $10,000 for a 1st time offender, $20,000 for a 2nd offense, and $40,000 for a 3rd offense.
Bail Cost for Drug Possession in San Diego
In San Diego, drug possession and trafficking with the intent to sell are felonies and carry huge penalties. For instance, the bail amount for possession of dangerous drugs and health care controlled substances is around $500. Moreover, the bail amount for transporting and selling drugs is around $25,000. If you are charged with taking drugs to prison, the bail amount will be around $20,000.
Bail Cost for Assault Charges in San Diego
Assault charges are either a felony or misdemeanor and carry huge penalties. Let's break down the bail amount for assault charges in San Diego.
Assault with a firearm - $20,000
Assault with a deadly weapon - $10,000
Assaulting a parking control officer - $5,000
Assaulting a police officer or firefighter - $10,000
Assaulting a highway worker - $5,000
Assaulting a public official - $25,000
Assault with rape - $100,000
Assault and raping a minor (under 18) - $200,000
Assault with rape during a burglary - $1,000,000
Assaulting a custodial officer - $20,000
Assault by a prisoner - $25,000
Bail Cost for Burglary in San Diego
Bail cost for burglary in San Diego varies depending on the severity. The bail amount for the possession of burglary tools is $1,000. In addition, the bail amount for burglary in San Diego is $5,000, and $50,000 for burglary with explosives.
The bail amount for shoplifting goods worth or less than $950 is $2,000.
How to Pay for Bail Bond
After bail has been set, you will have to post bail to secure your release or get a loved one from prison. You can use collateral, pay the full bail amount in cash, or hire an experienced bail bond agent. If you don't have immediate funds to get your loved one out of jail, it's highly advisable to find the best bail bonds in San Diego. An experienced bail bondsman will post the bail for you after paying the 10% bail premium. Moreover, an experienced bail bond agent will take care of the entire bail bond process to secure your release or quickly get a loved one out of jail.
Contact the experienced bail bond agents at Golden Boy Bail Bonds to request the best in DUI and domestic violence bail bonds in San Diego.