How Much Is Bail for a Sex Crime in California?

Real bail amounts by charge and county. No guessing. If your loved one was just arrested, here is what you are actually facing.

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Sex crime bail in California is set by each county's bail schedule — a published list of amounts tied to specific Penal Code sections. The amounts are high, the conditions are strict, and most bail agents won't touch these cases. This page gives you the real numbers by charge and by county, explains what affects bail at arraignment, and tells you exactly what to do next.

Bail by Charge — California Penal Code

These are typical bail schedule amounts. A judge can raise or lower bail at arraignment based on criminal history, victim age, use of force, and other factors.

Charge	Code	LA County	OC	SB County	Riverside
Rape	PC 261	$100,000–$1,000,000+	$100,000–$1,000,000+	$100,000–$1,000,000+	$100,000–$1,000,000+
Lewd Acts on Minor	PC 288	$100,000–$500,000	$100,000–$500,000	$100,000–$500,000	$100,000–$500,000
Continuous Sexual Abuse	PC 288.5	$250,000–$1,000,000+	$250,000–$1,000,000+	$250,000–$1,000,000+	$250,000–$1,000,000+
Statutory Rape	PC 261.5	$25,000–$100,000	$25,000–$100,000	$25,000–$100,000	$25,000–$100,000
Sexual Battery	PC 243.4	$25,000–$100,000	$25,000–$100,000	$25,000–$100,000	$25,000–$100,000
Child Pornography	PC 311	$50,000–$250,000	$50,000–$250,000	$50,000–$250,000	$50,000–$250,000
Sodomy by Force	PC 286	$100,000–$500,000	$100,000–$500,000	$100,000–$500,000	$100,000–$500,000
Oral Copulation by Force	PC 287	$100,000–$500,000	$100,000–$500,000	$100,000–$500,000	$100,000–$500,000
Indecent Exposure	PC 314	$5,000–$25,000	$5,000–$25,000	$5,000–$25,000	$5,000–$25,000
Solicitation / Prostitution	PC 647(b)	$1,000–$5,000	$1,000–$5,000	$1,000–$5,000	$1,000–$5,000

Bail amounts are nearly identical across SoCal counties for these charges. The LA column is representative.

What Can Change the Bail Amount

The bail schedule is the starting point. At arraignment — usually within 48 hours of arrest — a judge reviews the case and can raise or lower bail based on these factors:

Prior criminal history

Any prior sex crime conviction, even a misdemeanor, will push bail significantly higher. A prior PC 288 conviction can result in bail denial entirely.

Age of the victim

Younger victims mean higher bail. A PC 288 charge involving a child under 10 will be treated very differently than one involving a 16-year-old.

Use of force or weapons

Force, fear, or a weapon involved in the offense can double or triple the schedule amount.

Number of counts

Each count carries its own bail amount. A defendant charged with 3 counts of PC 288 faces 3x the single-count bail.

Relationship to victim

A family member, teacher, coach, or person in a position of trust faces enhanced charges and higher bail.

Flight risk assessment

Ties to the community, employment, family in the area, and length of residency all factor into whether a judge sees the defendant as a flight risk.

PC 1275 Holds — When Bail Is Set But You Still Can't Post

A PC 1275 hold is placed when the court suspects the bail money comes from criminal activity. It is common in high-bail sex crime cases. Even after bail is set, the defendant stays in custody until the cosigner proves the funds are legitimate.

Chad has handled PC 1275 holds many times. He knows what documentation the court needs and how to move through the hearing process efficiently. If you are facing a 1275 hold, call Chad directly — this is not a situation where you want to figure it out on your own.

Learn more about PC 1275 holds

The DA Escalation Tactic — Bail That Keeps Going Up

In high-profile sex crime cases, prosecutors sometimes use bail as a pressure tool. A defendant posts a $200,000 bond. New charges are filed. Re-arrest. Bond raised to $600,000. More counts. Bond raised past a million. Chad has seen this happen. His credit policy: if your bond is increased on the same case in the same county, you only pay the premium on the additional amount — not the full new total.

I believe you should always have the right to bail. That right should never be weaponized against a family that is already fighting for their loved one.
— Chad Conley

Find Your County

Every county page has the local bail schedule, the specific jail facility, and Chad's direct contact.

Orange County Sex Crimes Bail Bonds San Bernardino County — Chino Hills San Bernardino County — Fontana San Bernardino County — Ontario Riverside County — Moreno Valley Riverside County — Riverside Orange County — Anaheim Orange County — Santa Ana Orange County — Irvine Ventura County Los Angeles County — Pomona

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get bail for a sexual assault charge in California?

Yes, in most cases. California law provides a right to bail for most offenses. Exceptions include cases where the defendant has a prior conviction for the same offense, or where the judge finds clear and convincing evidence of danger to the community. For most first-time sex crime arrests, bail will be set — it will just be high.

How much does a bail bond cost for a sex crime charge?

The bail bond premium in California is 10% of the total bail amount, set by the Department of Insurance. On a $200,000 bail, the premium is $20,000. On a $500,000 bail, it is $50,000. Chad does not charge more than the legal rate. He also credits prior premiums toward any bail increase on the same case in the same county.

What is a bail reduction hearing for a sex offense?

After arraignment, the defense attorney can file a motion to reduce bail. The judge considers the defendant's ties to the community, flight risk, criminal history, and the nature of the charges. In sex crime cases, bail reductions are difficult to obtain but not impossible — especially for first-time offenders with strong community ties and a solid defense attorney.

What happens if bail is raised after the defendant is already out?

If new charges are filed or the DA files a motion to increase bail, the defendant may be re-arrested and held on the new, higher bail. Chad's policy: if the increase is on the same case in the same county, you only pay the premium on the additional amount. You are not charged the full premium again on the total.

Does Chad handle sex crime bail bonds in all Southern California counties?

Yes. Chad covers Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura counties. He handles the high-bail, sensitive cases that most agents decline. Call 855-BAD-CHAD any time — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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