How Much Is Bail in San Bernardino? A Complete Guide to San Bernardino County Bail Amounts

What Is the San Bernardino County Bail Schedule?

San Bernardino uses its own county bail schedule, which differs from neighboring LA and Orange counties. As the county seat of the largest county by area in the US, the bail system here processes a high volume of cases.

In California, every county publishes a bail schedule — a public document that assigns a specific dollar amount to each criminal charge. When someone is booked into Central Detention Center, the booking officer looks up the charges on the San Bernardino County Bail Schedule and sets bail accordingly. No judge is needed for this initial bail amount — it's automatic.

The bail schedule is updated periodically by the county's judges. It serves as the starting point, but a judge can modify bail at the defendant's first court appearance (arraignment). Factors like criminal history, ties to the community, flight risk, and the severity of the offense can all influence the final bail amount.

When someone is arrested in San Bernardino, bail is set by the San Bernardino County Bail Schedule at Central Detention Center. The amounts below represent the standard schedule — a judge can adjust bail up or down at arraignment based on the specific circumstances of the case.

Common Bail Amounts in San Bernardino County

Here are the standard bail amounts for common criminal charges in San Bernardino County, based on the current bail schedule:

Important notes about these amounts:

• These are starting amounts from the bail schedule — a judge may adjust them at arraignment
• Multiple charges means bail amounts stack — a defendant charged with DUI + hit-and-run will have both amounts added together
• Prior convictions, parole/probation violations, or enhancements (like gang allegations under PC 186.22) can significantly increase bail
• Some charges — like murder (PC 187) or certain sex offenses — may be non-bailable or have bail set at $1,000,000+

How Is Bail Set After an Arrest in San Bernardino?

There are two ways bail gets set after an arrest in San Bernardino:

1. Automatic (Bail Schedule): For most offenses, bail is set automatically during booking based on the San Bernardino County Bail Schedule. This happens within hours of the arrest — no judge required. A bail bondsman can post bail as soon as this amount is set.
2. Judge-Set Bail (Arraignment): For serious felonies, or when the defendant or prosecutor requests it, a judge sets bail at the arraignment hearing. The judge considers the Humphrey factors (named after the landmark 2021 California Supreme Court decision In re Humphrey): ability to pay, flight risk, danger to the community, criminal history, and ties to the area.

Under the Humphrey decision, California judges must consider a defendant's ability to pay when setting bail. This means bail cannot be used as a de facto detention order — if the defendant cannot afford the scheduled amount, the judge must consider alternatives or reduce bail to an amount the person can realistically post.

What If You Can't Afford Bail? The 10% Bond Option

Most families cannot pay $20,000, $50,000, or $100,000 in cash to post bail. That's where a bail bond comes in.

A bail bond allows you to pay just 10% of the total bail amount as a non-refundable premium to a licensed bail bondsman. The bondsman then posts a surety bond for the full amount, guaranteeing the defendant's appearance in court. For example:

• Bail set at $20,000 → you pay $2,000 for the bond
• Bail set at $50,000 → you pay $5,000 for the bond
• Bail set at $100,000 → you pay $10,000 for the bond

The 10% rate is set by the California Department of Insurance and is the same statewide. No legitimate bail bondsman can charge more or less than 10%.

Payment plans: At Angels Bail Bonds, we offer flexible payment plans for families who can't pay the full premium upfront. We understand that an arrest is an emergency — call (626) 478-1062 to discuss what works for your budget.

Can Bail Be Reduced? How to Request a Lower Amount

Yes — bail can be reduced. Here's how:

• At Arraignment: A defense attorney can argue for lower bail at the first court appearance. The attorney will emphasize community ties, employment, family responsibilities, clean record, and the defendant's ability to pay (per In re Humphrey).
• Bail Review Hearing: If bail was set too high at arraignment, the defense can file a motion to reduce bail (Penal Code 1275). Changed circumstances — like new evidence, health issues, or employment verification — can support the request.
• Own Recognizance (OR) Release: For low-level offenses, the defendant may be released on their own recognizance — no bail required. The judge considers the same factors: flight risk, public safety, and community ties.

Even if you're hoping for a bail reduction, it's often worth posting bail at the scheduled amount first to get your loved one out of custody immediately. If bail is later reduced, the bondsman can adjust the arrangement. Sitting in jail while waiting for a hearing can mean days or weeks of lost work and family time.

Important: Under California Penal Code 1270.1, certain serious felonies (like those involving great bodily injury or threats against victims/witnesses) require a bail hearing before release — the scheduled bail amount cannot be posted without a judge's approval.

Not legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal counsel, please consult a licensed California attorney. Bail amounts shown are based on county bail schedules and may vary by case.