California Vehicle Code 23152 covers driving under the influence. Subsection (a) is impairment regardless of blood-alcohol level; (b) is a BAC of 0.08% or higher (0.04% for commercial drivers, 0.01% for under 21). Standard first-offense DUI is a misdemeanor. It becomes a felony with injury, with three prior DUI convictions in 10 years, or under certain enhanced circumstances.
What the charge means for bail
Bail follows the county schedule. In Riverside County a first-offense DUI typically lands between $5,000 and $7,500. With a prior, an injury, or a BAC above 0.15%, the schedule jumps — we’ve seen $25,000 with three priors, and felony-injury DUIs running higher. Each of Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Orange uses a slightly different schedule with different enhancements; we post in all four.
How we handle a DUI
When you call, a bilingual agent confirms where the defendant is being held, the exact bail amount, and which rate tier fits the situation. Paperwork is handled by e-signature in most cases — usually finished in fifteen minutes, with no drive-in required. From there a licensed Justice agent walks the surety bond to the jail desk in person.
From the jail’s side, release timing depends on intake queue and shift. We stay in touch with you throughout, and once release is processed we move directly to the vehicle impound — DUI almost always means the car is at a tow lot under a 30-day hold (CVC 14602.6).
The impound — what happens to the car
The towing agency holds the vehicle under CVC 14602.6 for thirty days. To retrieve it, the registered owner needs the agency’s release form, proof of ownership and insurance, and the impound and storage fees. We help you sequence this so the car isn’t sitting longer than it needs to.
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 DUI bail
How much is bail for a DUI in California?
It depends on the county and the details of the case. Each county publishes a bail schedule, and a first misdemeanor DUI usually sits toward the lower end of it, while a felony DUI, a DUI with injury, or prior convictions raise the amount. The judge can also set a different amount at arraignment. Call us with the county and the charge and we’ll tell you the bail amount and what a bond on it involves.
What does a DUI bail bond cost?
A bail bond is a percentage of the full bail amount, set by California’s Department of Insurance. We’ll walk you through the exact figure for your case on the phone, along with the payment options available to you, before you commit to anything.
Can I get someone out on a DUI without paying the full bail?
Yes. That’s what a bail bond is for. You work with us and pay the bond. We also offer payment plans and, for those who qualify, no-collateral and low-down options.
Do you handle DUI bail at any hour?
Yes. We answer every call, day or night, every day of the year, and a real bilingual agent picks up, never an answering service. DUI arrests often happen late at night or over a weekend, and we’re reachable the whole time.
What do you need from me to start a DUI bond?
A few things we’ll gather on the call: the full name of the person in custody, which jail they’re being held at, and the booking number if you have it. We’ll confirm the bail amount, explain the paperwork for the signer, and start the process from there.
Will a DUI bond be delayed by a hold on the funds?
For most standard DUIs, no. A source-of-funds review (a PC 1275 hold) is usually tied to charges where the money itself is in question, such as fraud or drug sales, not a typical DUI. If a hold does come up in your case, we handle those regularly and will tell you exactly what the court needs.