Felony Bail Bonds in California

No. The exact offense and applicable county and court rules may permit citation, book-and-release, magistrate-directed or other nonfinancial release. Other cases require financial security or are lawfully restricted from release. A commercial bond is relevant only when authorized monetary bail must be secured.

Sometimes, but not automatically. Serious and violent classification can trigger financial entries, required hearings and constitutional restrictions. The actual charge, evidence and court order govern; a schedule amount by itself is not a promise of release.

No. Superior Courts adopt county schedules and judicial officers make individualized decisions. The selected figures on this page are from the 2026 Los Angeles County pre-arraignment schedule, not statewide amounts.

The court can make or modify a lawful bail decision. Counsel can request review and explain the required procedure. A booking record may initially apply the schedule, but a bond agent cannot independently raise, lower or cancel court-ordered bail.

In Los Angeles County, MR refers the booking to a magistrate to consider release and conditions. It is not a fixed amount, a guaranteed zero-dollar release or an automatic requirement to buy a bond. Confirm the actual magistrate decision.

The warrant may involve a separate case, bail term or custody restriction. Posting a bond on the new felony does not automatically clear it. Ask which authority issued the warrant and obtain the current court instructions.

Counsel can ask for review. Courts must consider ability to pay and less restrictive alternatives under In re Humphrey while applying safety considerations and legal restrictions. A reduction or nonfinancial release is not guaranteed; covered offenses require the statutory hearing.

The full bail amount is the monetary undertaking required for appearance. The premium is the fee charged for the surety bond, commonly approximately 10% in general California practice but subject to the applicable filed rate and rules. This page does not quote Set Free’s actual rate.

Not necessarily. At an assumed 10% premium, the educational calculation is $5,000. That illustration is not a quotation. Collateral and contractual liability are separate, and the co-signer may face responsibility for the full bond if obligations are breached.

There is no universal answer. The surety and written agreement determine whether collateral is required and what is acceptable. Ask how the property will be held, what obligations it secures and when it can be returned; no collateral-free promise is made here.

Generally, the premium is not refunded simply because the case is dismissed or ends in acquittal. Cash deposited directly with the court and collateral have different rules. Review the agreement and ask about applicable exceptions before paying.

An approved written payment agreement may spread the premium over time. Availability, initial payment and terms vary; approval and any discount are not guaranteed. A payment plan does not reduce the court’s bail amount or eliminate indemnity obligations.

The court may issue a warrant and declare the bond forfeited, subject to statutory procedures and deadlines. The defendant and co-signer should promptly contact counsel and the bond agent. Do not assume a later appearance automatically resolves the warrant or forfeiture.

Facility processing, another case, a warrant, a supervision hold, source-of-funds review or a court restriction may still apply. Posting must be authorized and accepted; a bond on one case cannot bypass another custody basis. Release timing varies.

Start with the person’s legal name, known city or county of arrest and your contact details. Date of birth, booking number, agency, facility and court information help if available, but you do not need every record before asking. The existing three-step form keeps optional details optional.