A 1% bond requires 1% of the total bail amount to start, with an additional 2% due within 10 days. Bail amounts over $100,000 may require collateral.
Who qualifies
The arrestee must be a legal California resident with two indemnitors who have proof of employment, proof of residency, approved credit, and valid California IDs. Each indemnitor’s annual income must exceed the total bail amount. The program is for first-time offenders only, before arraignment, and the defendant must be located in Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, or Los Angeles County. Eligible charges include PC 243(e)(1), PC 273.5(a), PC 273.5, PC 422, PC 69, PC 148, PC 245, and VC 23153(a) & (b).
What the rate covers — and what it doesn’t
1% financing fits cases such as domestic violence, DUIs, DUI with accidents, child abuse, and violating court orders. It is not available for FTA warrants, fraud, identity theft, prostitution, pimping, pandering, petty theft, bonds under $10,000, out-of-state or out-of-county warrants, or drug charges. Sample misdemeanor bail amounts: Violation of Probation (PC 1203.2) $5,000; Carrying a Concealed Firearm (PC 12025) $5,000; Exhibiting a Firearm (PC 417) $10,000; DUI (PC 23152) $5,000.
Watch the rate
California Insurance Code § 1800 caps the bail premium at 10% of the face amount of the bond — that’s the legal ceiling, not the minimum. Anything above 10% is illegal. Walk away from any bondsman who quotes above the cap, demands wired money before paperwork is signed, has no California Department of Insurance license number visible, or pressures you to decide in under a minute. A real bondsman walks the family through the math.
Common questions about 1% bail bonds
What is a 1% bail bond?
“1%” refers to the down payment, not the total cost. For qualifying applicants on approved credit, 1% of the total bail amount is all it takes to start the release, with a further 2% due within ten days. It’s a way to begin quickly when the full premium isn’t available up front.
Who qualifies for a 1% bail bond?
The arrestee must be a legal California resident, a first-time offender, and still before arraignment, in Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego or Los Angeles County. It also takes two co-signers who each have proof of employment, proof of residency, a valid California ID, approved credit, and an annual income above the total bail amount. Call us with the details and we’ll confirm whether a 1%-down plan fits.
Which charges are eligible for 1% down?
1% financing fits cases such as domestic violence, DUI, DUI with an accident, child abuse, and violating a court order. It is not available for failure-to-appear warrants, fraud, identity theft, prostitution-related charges, petty theft, drug charges, bonds under $10,000, or out-of-state and out-of-county warrants. If your case isn’t eligible, we’ll walk you through the other options.
Is 1% the total cost of the bond?
No. The 1% is what you pay to start; the full bail premium in California is capped by law at 10% of the bond amount (Insurance Code §1800). On approved credit, the balance can be spread over an interest-free payment plan, weekly or monthly, by phone, online or in person. We’ll lay out the exact figures for your case before anything is signed.
What if I don’t qualify for the 1% plan?
You still have options. We offer standard payment plans, no-collateral bonds for qualifying applicants, and financing on approved credit. The best step is to call us with the charge and county so we can find the plan that fits.
How do I know a 1% offer is legitimate and not a trap?
California law (Insurance Code §1800) caps the bail premium at 10% of the bond. That’s the legal ceiling, not a starting point. Walk away from any bondsman who quotes above the cap, demands money wired before paperwork is signed, has no California Department of Insurance license number visible, or pressures you to decide in under a minute. A real bondsman walks the family through the math first.