Working in a California bail bonds office we encounter many types of cases on a daily basis.  Throughout the years, many people have asked if they need to post bail after having been arrested for a misdemeanor traffic violation.

The most common misdemeanor traffic offenses we receive calls on are from people who have been arrested for driving under the influence.  In the state of California, most first, second and third DUI arrests are charged as misdemeanors.

Most counties release first-time DUI arrestees on their own recognizance.  Other counties, such as San Diego County, will automatically set bail at $2,500. If a person has been arrested multiple times, their bail is likely to be set at a higher rate.   There was recently a story about an Imperial Beach man who was arrested three times for DUI in five days.  In this instance, his bail was set very high, at $100,000.

Driving while intoxicated becomes a felony if it can be proven that the driver caused injury, harm or death to a passenger or another driver.  Those arrested on a felony DUI charge, often called DUI with accident or injury, can expect their bail will be set much higher than someone pulled over on suspicion of DUI, generally in the $100,000 range.

There are, though, other misdemeanor traffic offenses that may be bailable offenses.   This may include hit-and-run, driving recklessly, driving without a valid license or in some states even driving without insurance.  Remember, though, each county operates a little bit differently.

The rate at which bail bonds companies are permitted to charge is set by the California Department of Insurance.  Although bail amounts for misdemeanor and felony driving arrests vary from county to county, if someone has been arrested and bail has been set for the crime they are being charged with, you can expect to pay 10% of the total cost of their bail in order to purchase a bail bond.  So, if the bail amount has been set at $10,000,  the cost of the bail bond  and the amount you would pay is $1,000.

Remember, this is a non-refundable fee paid to the bondsman for the service they provide and when you sign a bail contract you are agreeing to make sure the defendant goes to court.  If someone you know has been arrested for a traffic violation and are in need of immediate bail bonds assistance, make sure the bondsman you work with explains the process thoroughly.