California Bail Schedule Explained — 2026 Guide
The California Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule is the document that determines how much bail is required for most criminal charges across all 58 California counties. Understanding it helps families anticipate bail amounts, plan their response, and work with a bondsman efficiently.
What Is the Bail Schedule?
The California Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule is published by the Judicial Council of California — the policy-making body of the California court system. It is updated regularly and assigns specific bail dollar amounts to misdemeanor offenses, infraction fine amounts, and a recommended framework for felony bail amounts.
The schedule is publicly available at the Judicial Council — California Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule.
Who Uses the Schedule?
| User | How They Use It |
|---|---|
| Booking officers at jail | Post bail from the schedule immediately at booking — no judge required |
| Magistrates at arraignment | Starting point for bail-setting decisions |
| Defense attorneys | Baseline reference for bail reduction motions |
| Bail bondsmen | Determine premium based on scheduled bail amount |
| Families | Anticipate how much bail will be set before arraignment |
Preset Bail — No Arraignment Required
The most important practical effect of the schedule: for charges listed in the schedule, bail can be posted immediately at the jail after booking — without waiting for an arraignment or judicial hearing.
This allows same-night release for most misdemeanor arrests and many common felony arrests. The family contacts a licensed California bail bondsman available 24 hours a day, provides the booking information, and the bondsman posts bail directly at the jail using the scheduled amount.
How the Schedule Is Organized
The schedule is divided into sections:
Misdemeanors: Fixed dollar amounts by Penal Code and Vehicle Code section number. Every common misdemeanor charge has a preset bail amount.
Felonies (base amounts): The schedule provides a base bail range by offense category. Felony bail is more discretionary — judges can deviate significantly based on factors like prior criminal history, victim impact, and flight risk.
Infractions and fines: Traffic violations and other infractions have fine penalty amounts listed, not bail amounts — infractions do not result in custody.
Enhancement multipliers: Certain aggravating factors increase bail above the base schedule amount:
| Enhancement | Effect on Bail |
|---|---|
| Prior felony conviction | Often doubles the scheduled amount |
| Gang enhancement allegation | Significant increase |
| Use of a weapon | Increase — varies by charge |
| Domestic violence with injury | Mandatory minimum increase |
| Victim under 14 | Enhancement per statute |
Sample Bail Schedule Amounts
| Charge | Code Section | Scheduled Bail |
|---|---|---|
| DUI (1st, no injury) | VC 23152 | $5,000 |
| DUI (2nd offense) | VC 23152 | $10,000 |
| Petty theft | PC 484 | $2,500–$10,000 |
| Simple assault | PC 240 | $10,000 |
| Felony assault | PC 245 | $50,000 |
| Residential burglary | PC 459 | $50,000 |
| Grand theft | PC 487 | $20,000 |
| Drug possession | HS 11350 | $10,000 |
| Drug sales | HS 11352 | $50,000 |
| Robbery | PC 211 | $100,000 |
These are baseline amounts. Enhancements, prior convictions, and judicial discretion affect the final amount.
Can Judges Deviate from the Schedule?
Yes — in both directions. A judge at arraignment can:
- Increase bail above the schedule — if the defendant poses a significant flight risk, has serious criminal history, or the case facts are especially aggravating
- Decrease bail — if the defendant has strong community ties, clean record, and poses no flight risk (In re Humphrey (2021) requires consideration of ability to pay)
- Grant OR release — release without any bail payment for low-risk defendants
- Deny bail entirely — for murder with special circumstances and other enumerated charges under PC § 1270.5
The schedule is a starting point, not a ceiling or floor. Judicial discretion at arraignment can move bail substantially in either direction.
County-Level Bail Schedules
In addition to the statewide schedule, each county Superior Court publishes its own local bail schedule. The county schedule generally mirrors the statewide schedule but may include:
- Additional local offenses
- Local enhancements
- Adjustments for county-specific charge patterns
The LA County bail schedule, for example, includes local provisions not in the statewide schedule. Bondsmen who regularly post bonds in a specific county understand both the statewide and county schedules.
Legal Resources on the Bail Schedule
- Judicial Council — California Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule
- In re Humphrey (2021) — Bail Setting and Ability to Pay
- California Penal Code § 1270.5 — No-Bail Offenses
- California Penal Code § 1275 — Criteria for Bail Setting
For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Bail amounts can change when the bail schedule is updated. Always confirm the current amount with the detention facility or a licensed bail bondsman.