A list of average bail amounts by crime

We can provide you with a list of average bail amounts by crime, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

For starters, just because there’s an average bail amount, does not mean that a person charged with that particular crime will have their bail set at or near that average amount.

The average bail should be looked at as more of a “recommendation” by the court. You may receive a higher or lower bail amount based on your criminal history and individual circumstances. It is also possible that you do not get bail at all, and you’re required to remain in jail while you await trial.

This being said, let’s take a look at some of the most common crimes and their average bail amounts.

Related Content: Is bail and bond the same thing?

Average bail amounts by crime

*These are illustrative ranges only, not official amounts. A Kern County judge can set bail higher or lower — or deny it entirely — based on the individual case.

How Bail Amounts Are Set in Kern County

In Kern County, most bail amounts start from the Kern County Superior Court’s annual bail schedule — a published list that assigns a standard amount to each charge. When someone is booked at the Sheriff’s Inmate Reception Center at the Lerdo Jail Complex, the jail uses that schedule to set an initial bail, which is why a person can often post bail before ever seeing a judge. At arraignment, a judge can raise, lower, or eliminate bail based on the person’s criminal history, the specific facts of the case, flight risk, and public-safety concerns. That is why two people arrested for what sounds like the “same” charge can end up with very different bail. For more, see how bail is set in Kern County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these bail amounts guaranteed?

No. They are typical ranges only. A judge in Kern County can set bail higher or lower — or deny bail entirely — based on the individual circumstances of the case.

Do I have to pay the full bail amount?

Only if you post cash bail directly with the court. With a bail bond, you pay a state-regulated percentage of the full amount and Cowboy Bail Bonds posts the rest so your loved one can be released.

Where can I find the official Kern County bail schedule?

The Kern County Superior Court publishes an updated felony and misdemeanor bail schedule each year. If you tell us the charge, we can look up the standard bail amount and give you an exact cost to post bail — just call 661-324-6009.

If you’re working with a bail bond company, then you don’t have to pay the full bail amount to court. Learn more about how to calculate bail bonds.

Can I get my bail lowered in Kern County?

Possibly. At arraignment — or through a separate bail motion — a defense attorney can ask the judge to reduce bail based on things like ties to the community, steady employment, and low flight risk. In some cases a judge may release a person on their own recognizance (O.R.) with no bail at all.

What is the difference between the bail amount and what I actually pay?

The bail amount is the full figure the court sets. If you post a bail bond, you pay only a percentage of that (the premium) and the bond company guarantees the rest, so you are never out the entire amount. Use our free bail bond calculator to estimate it.

How fast can I bail someone out once I know the amount?

Often within a few hours. As soon as you have the charge and bail amount, we can start the paperwork immediately — any time of day — and post the bond at the jail. Call us at 661-324-6009 to get started.

Need help posting bail? Cowboy Bail Bonds can help.

Take a look at our bail bond resources below and then give us a call or fill out our online form to get help with bail.

• What does a bail bondsman do?
• Do you get bail money back if you’re guilty?
• What happens if you fail to appear in court?