Orange County Bail Schedule
Orange County Superior Court judges set bail amounts every year for every criminal charge. Here is the current schedule — and what it costs to get your loved one out of OC Main Jail, Theo Lacy, or any Orange County facility tonight.
What Is a Bail Schedule?
A bail schedule is the official document that assigns a specific dollar amount to each criminal charge in Orange County. When someone is booked into OC Main Jail, Theo Lacy, or any Orange County facility, the booking officer sets bail directly from this schedule — before a judge sees the case. The Orange County presiding judge panel meets annually to review and update these amounts. They consider crime trends, public safety, and statewide guidelines. The schedule amount is set at booking. At arraignment — usually within 48 hours — a judge can raise or lower bail based on the defendant's record, ties to the community, and the facts of the case.
Important: These amounts are set at booking
A judge can raise or lower bail at arraignment. The schedule is the starting point — not the final word. Call Chad immediately after arrest to start the bond process before arraignment.
Orange County Bail Schedule — Charge Amounts
| Category | Code | Charge | Bail Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | PC 187 | Murder — First Degree | $1,000,000 |
| PC 187 | Murder — Second Degree | $500,000 | |
| PC 664/187 | Attempted Murder | $500,000 | |
| PC 192(a) | Voluntary Manslaughter | $100,000 | |
| Kidnapping | PC 207 | Kidnapping | $100,000 |
| PC 209 | Kidnapping for Ransom | $1,000,000 | |
| Sex Crimes | PC 261 | Rape | $100,000 |
| PC 288(a) | Lewd Acts with Child Under 14 | $100,000 | |
| PC 288(b) | Lewd Acts by Force — Child Under 14 | $250,000 | |
| PC 220 | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape | $100,000 | |
| PC 236.1 | Human Trafficking | $500,000 | |
| Robbery / Assault | PC 211 | Robbery — First Degree | $100,000 |
| PC 211 | Robbery — Second Degree | $50,000 | |
| PC 245(a)(1) | Assault with Deadly Weapon | $30,000 | |
| PC 245(a)(2) | ADW — Firearm | $50,000 | |
| PC 245(d) | ADW on Peace Officer — Firearm | $100,000 | |
| Domestic Violence | PC 273.5 | Corporal Injury — Spouse/Cohabitant | $50,000 |
| PC 273a | Child Endangerment | $25,000 | |
| Arson | PC 451(a) | Arson — Great Bodily Injury | $100,000 |
| PC 451(b) | Arson — Inhabited Structure | $75,000 | |
| PC 451(c) | Arson — Structure or Forest Land | $50,000 | |
| Burglary / Theft | PC 459 | Burglary — First Degree (Residential) | $50,000 |
| PC 459 | Burglary — Second Degree (Commercial) | $20,000 | |
| PC 487 | Grand Theft — Over $950 | $20,000 | |
| Drugs | HS 11351 | Possession for Sale — Controlled Substance | $30,000 |
| HS 11352 | Transportation / Sale of Controlled Substance | $50,000 | |
| HS 11370.4 | Large-Quantity Drug Trafficking (10+ lbs) | $500,000 | |
| Weapons / Enhancements | PC 29800 | Felon in Possession of Firearm | $50,000 |
| PC 12022.53 | Gun Enhancement — Personal Use | Add $100,000 | |
| PC 186.22 | Gang Enhancement — Felony | Add $50,000 | |
| PC 667 | Prior Strike — Second Strike | 2x base bail | |
| DUI | VC 23152 | DUI — Felony (3rd+ offense) | $15,000 |
| VC 23153 | DUI Causing Bodily Injury | $25,000 | |
| VC 23513 | DUI Causing Death | $100,000 | |
| Stalking / Threats | PC 422 | Criminal Threats | $50,000 |
| PC 646.9 | Stalking | $50,000 | |
| Business & Professions Code | BPC 2052 | Unlicensed Practice of Medicine | $25,000 |
| BPC 4060 | Prescription Drug Fraud / Unauthorized Possession | $25,000 | |
| Insurance Code / Fraud | IC 548 | Insurance Fraud — Vehicle | $25,000 |
| IC 1871.4 | Workers' Compensation Fraud | $25,000 | |
| WIC 10980 | Welfare Fraud | $25,000 |
* Amounts reflect the current Orange County bail schedule. Actual bail set at arraignment may differ. Enhancements are added on top of base charge amounts.
What Does the Bond Cost?
California law sets the bond premium at 10% of the bail amount. Chad charges 8% for military, first responders, and union members. No money down available for qualifying clients.
Non-PC Codes That Require Bail
Most people think of bail in terms of Penal Code charges — but California's bail schedules cover multiple legal codes. When someone is booked on a Health & Safety Code, Vehicle Code, Business & Professions Code, or Insurance Code charge, the same schedule-based bail process applies.
Health & Safety Code (H&S)
Governs drug-related offenses including possession for sale and trafficking of controlled substances. Bail amounts are often escalated based on the total weight of seized narcotics — a process called 'stacking.' Fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine charges routinely carry six-figure bail.
Vehicle Code (VC)
Serious automotive offenses carry mandatory bail terms. DUI causing injury, felony hit-and-run, evading a peace officer with reckless driving, and vehicular manslaughter all carry heavy presumptive bail baselines set by the county schedule.
Business & Professions Code (B&P)
Covers white-collar violations including fraudulent business dealings, unauthorized distribution or diversion of prescription medications, and practicing medicine or law without a license. These charges often carry bail in the $25,000–$100,000 range.
Insurance Code (IC)
Governs insurance fraud schemes including intentional staging of auto accidents and workers' compensation fraud rings. Multi-count IC charges can result in bail amounts that stack per count, quickly reaching six figures.
Orange County Courts — Where Your Case Will Be Heard
Where you post bail and where the case is heard are two different things. Bail is posted at the jail; arraignment happens at the courthouse assigned to that city. Here’s what to expect at each OC courthouse.
Central Justice Center
700 Civic Center Dr W, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Serves: Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Anaheim, Orange, Tustin
Largest OC courthouse. Handles the highest volume of arraignments. Most Theo Lacy and IRC releases appear here.
Common bail at this court:
Harbor Justice Center
4601 Jamboree Rd, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Serves: Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano
Serves south OC. Arraignments for Newport Beach PD, Costa Mesa PD, and Laguna Beach PD arrests.
Common bail at this court:
Lamoreaux Justice Center
341 The City Dr S, Orange, CA 92868
Serves: Anaheim Hills, Orange, Villa Park, Yorba Linda, Brea, Placentia
Handles east OC and Anaheim Hills area. Newer facility with efficient processing.
Common bail at this court:
Not sure which court handles your city? Call Chad — he knows every OC courthouse and can tell you exactly what to expect.
Call 855-BAD-CHADFrequently Asked Questions
Can bail be higher than the schedule amount?
Yes. A judge can raise bail at arraignment if the defendant has a prior record, is considered a flight risk, or the crime was particularly violent. The schedule is the floor set at booking — not the ceiling.
Can bail be lower than the schedule amount?
Yes. At arraignment, your attorney can argue for a bail reduction based on ties to the community, employment, family, and lack of prior record. This is called a bail motion.
What does a bail bondsman charge?
In California, the premium is set by law at 10% of the bail amount. Chad charges 8% for military, first responders, and union members. There is no money down for qualifying clients.
How often is the bail schedule updated?
The presiding judge panel reviews the schedule annually. Amounts may stay the same or change depending on crime trends and judicial priorities.
Need to Post a Bond Right Now?
Chad Conley is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call now and he will walk you through exactly what it costs and how fast he can get your loved one out.
Not legal advice. The information on this page is based on Chad Conley's 15+ years as a licensed bail bondsman, plus additional experience as an investigator and bounty hunter, and is intended to help families understand the general process. It is not legal advice, and Chad Conley is not an attorney. Every case is different. If you have legal questions about your specific situation, please consult a licensed attorney.