Drivers in California may pay bail to the court system after they are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Bail payments can allow drivers to maintain their freedom until their criminal trial for a DUI begins.
Use this article to find out how much bail will be for a DUI in Los Angeles. Go over options for paying bail with the Simmrin Law Group. Focus on successfully resolving DUI charges to stay out of jail by calling us at (310) 896-2723.
Review the Usage of Bail in California
Let’s briefly go over the legal function of bail payments in California, before we review the amount of bail drivers need to pay after a DUI. Bail serves as security for the court system, to guarantee that someone accused of a crime will return to attend all dates at their criminal trial.
Drivers in California can get back the money they paid as bail after their case concludes. This money will be returned regardless of whether or not the driver won their case, as long as they were present for all required court dates.
Note that many drivers charged with a DUI will not be required to pay bail for a first-time offense. These drivers may be released on their own recognizance.
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Cost of DUI Bail Payments in Los Angeles
As we mentioned, drivers accused of a first-time DUI often do not have to pay bail to the court system. This is not always the case. In fact, the court has the legal right to require a bail payment before releasing a driver.
Additionally, the court can request a higher bail payment each time a driver is arrested for a subsequent DUI charge. The court system recommends that drivers pay:
- $5,000 for a first DUI
- $15,000 for a second DUI
- $25,000 for a third DUI
The above bail amounts are only used for basic misdemeanor DUI charges. Drivers accused of a misdemeanor DUI causing injury offense can be charged:
- $20,000 for a first DUI causing injury
- $50,000 for a second DUI causing injury
Drivers charged with a felony DUI can face bail payments of $100,000 in Los Angeles. Note that most drivers facing felony DUI charges will have to pay bail. They are not likely to be released without bail after their arrest.
Enhancements to Bail Payments for California DUIs
The court system has the right to increase bail charges for a DUI in some situations in Los Angeles. For example, drivers may have $10,000 added to their bail payment if they were accused of:
- Causing a traffic collision while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.15%
- Refusing chemical BAC testing ordered by a law enforcement officer
The court system can increase the bail amount by $25,000 if a driver is accused of any two of the above actions on the same DUI offense. A criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles can review the exact bail charges faced by a driver. Call (310) 896-2723 to find out more about your bail responsibility in California.
Bail Bond Agents and DUIs in Los Angeles
As you can see, the cost of a bail payment for a DUI in Los Angeles can be incredibly high. Most people do not have thousands of dollars to offer the court after they are arrested. Some drivers, therefore, turn to a bail bond agent to get help.
Bail bond agents will post bail for a driver accused of a DUI. In exchange, they require the driver to pay them a percentage of the cost of the total bail. Generally, bail bond agents in Los Angeles charge around 8-10% of the total cost of the pay for their services.
Drivers do not get back the fee they pay a bail bond agent. This money is the payment to the bail bond agent and will not be returned after a DUI trial.
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Get Help Handling a Bail Hearing in Los Angeles
The court system in Los Angeles uses recommendations to decide how much bail to charge you after a DUI offense. A legal professional can help at your bail hearing to argue for the lowest possible amount of bail in your case.
In some cases, a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles can even ensure that you are released without bail. Find out more about your options for securing low bail payments by contacting the Simmrin Law Group right now. You can reach out to us by calling (310) 896-2723 or completing our online contact form.
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