California Charges and Bail Bonds

The charge listed on a booking drives the presumptive bail amount on the county schedule. These nine statutes cover most of the calls that come in on this line.

Each page explains the statute in general terms and how bail is typically approached. It is information, not legal advice — for advice about a specific case, speak with a defense attorney.

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Statutes

Nine common California charges

PCPenal CodePC 187 — MurderFelonyPenal Code 187 covers the unlawful killing of another person. The booking path is the same as any other arrest — county intake, then a case calendared by that county's Superior Court — but bail on this statute is typically set very high or left entirely for a judge. A bail agent therefore works around the court calendar rather than the jail window, and no figure can be quoted from the statute alone.PCPenal CodePC 211 — RobberyFelonyPenal Code 211 is taking property from another person by force or fear. Robbery is charged as a felony statewide, so a booking on this count enters county custody and moves to the county Superior Court for arraignment. The degree alleged, additional counts, and any claimed enhancements all influence what the court sets, which is why the booking sheet matters more than the statute number.PCPenal CodePC 245 — Assault with a deadly weaponWobbler — felony or misdemeanorPenal Code 245 covers assault with a deadly weapon or by means likely to produce great bodily injury. It is a wobbler, meaning the district attorney may file it as a felony or a misdemeanor, and that decision affects the amount the county schedule applies at booking. The county Superior Court can revisit bail at arraignment in either direction.PCPenal CodePC 273.5 — Corporal injury to a spouse or partnerWobbler — felony or misdemeanorPenal Code 273.5 covers willfully inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or partner. Bookings on this statute frequently involve a protective order, and courts commonly set bail above the base schedule entry. The arrest is processed through county intake and heard by the county Superior Court, which controls both the bail figure and the conditions attached to a release.PCPenal CodePC 459 — BurglaryWobbler — felony or misdemeanorPenal Code 459 is entering a structure or vehicle with intent to commit theft or a felony. First-degree residential filings are treated more seriously than second-degree commercial filings, and the statute is a wobbler, so the filing decision matters. Booking runs through the county jail system while the county Superior Court sets bail and every court date that follows.PCPenal CodePC 487 — Grand theftWobbler — felony or misdemeanorPenal Code 487 is grand theft, generally involving property valued above the statutory threshold. As a wobbler it can be filed as a felony or a misdemeanor, and the filing along with the alleged loss shapes what the county bail schedule applies at intake. The county Superior Court hears the case and can adjust bail at arraignment, in either direction.PCPenal CodePC 422 — Criminal threatsWobbler — felony or misdemeanorPenal Code 422 covers threats of great bodily injury or death that place another person in sustained fear. It is a wobbler and is often filed alongside other counts, which can raise the total bail written on a booking sheet. As with any arrest, county intake handles custody and the county Superior Court controls the amount and the hearing dates.HSHealth & Safety CodeHS 11350 — Possession of a controlled substanceCommonly a misdemeanorHealth and Safety Code 11350 is simple possession of a controlled substance. Scheduled amounts sit toward the lower end of most county bail schedules unless additional counts, an alleged enhancement, or a probation or parole hold is involved. The booking still moves through county intake, and the county Superior Court decides what bail is and whether it changes at arraignment.VCVehicle CodeVC 23152 — DUIMisdemeanor or felonyVehicle Code 23152 is driving under the influence. A first misdemeanor filing is often near the bottom of a county bail schedule, while prior convictions, an alleged injury, or a felony filing change that considerably. Arrests are booked into county custody, sometimes after a period of observation, and the county Superior Court sets bail and the first appearance date.

Before you call

What to have ready

Full legal name and date of birth of the person booked
The city, county, or jail where the booking happened
The booking number or the charge listed, if you have it
The bail amount, if it has already been set
A name and phone number for whoever plans to sign as indemnitor

Missing a detail is not a reason to wait. Call (310) 846-8980 with what you have and a licensed California bail agent can work from there.

Call (310) 846-8980

Call (310) 846-8980 now

Lines are answered live, every hour of every day. Have the person's full name, date of birth, and the city or jail where they were booked, and a licensed California bail agent can start work on the first call.

Call (310) 846-8980 How bail bonds work

This website is designed for general California bail bond information only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Various bail bonds companies use this platform and maintain independent bail bond companies.

Bail in California is set by the court. Bond premiums and payment terms vary by case, surety, and agent. Qualification is not automatic. Call for a confidential case review.