When someone you care about is arrested in Nevada County, one of the first questions you will have is: how much is bail? The answer depends on the Nevada County bail schedule. This article explains how it works, what common bail amounts look like, and how a bail bond makes the numbers more manageable.
What Is a Bail Schedule?
A bail schedule is a table of preset bail amounts approved by the Superior Court judges in each county. California law requires every county to have one. When someone is arrested, the booking officer looks up the charge on the schedule and assigns the corresponding bail amount automatically, without a judge needing to be present. This allows people to post bail and get released immediately after booking, before ever seeing a judge.
The Nevada County Superior Court updates the bail schedule periodically. The amounts listed below reflect the current 2025 schedule, effective January 1, 2025. If the charge is serious enough or the defendant has a prior record, a judge may increase the amount at the first court appearance.
Common Bail Amounts in Nevada County
Bail amounts vary widely depending on the nature of the charge. Here is a general picture of what families tend to see:
| Charge Category | Typical Bail Range | Bond Cost (10%) |
|---|---|---|
| DUI (first offense to felony) | $5,000 - $100,000 | $500 - $10,000 |
| Domestic violence | $5,000 - $75,000 | $500 - $7,500 |
| Drug charges (possession for sale) | $35,000 - $1,000,000 | $3,500 - $100,000 |
| Assault (misdemeanor to felony) | $2,000 - $75,000 | $200 - $7,500 |
| Burglary / robbery | $50,000 - $200,000 | $5,000 - $20,000 |
| Weapons charges | $2,500 - $50,000 | $250 - $5,000 |
Note: These are general ranges from the 2025 Nevada County bail schedule. Actual bail amounts depend on the specific charge code, the defendant's criminal history, and any enhancements the prosecutor adds.
Bail Amounts by Charge Type
DUI Charges
A first-time DUI with no priors carries a $5,000 bail in Nevada County. If the BAC is .15% or higher, bail doubles to $10,000.
DUI with a child in the vehicle is set at $7,500. A felony DUI with three or more priors jumps to $75,000, and a DUI causing injury starts at $75,000. If injury priors exist, bail increases to $100,000.
Domestic Violence
Misdemeanor battery on a spouse under PC 243(e) carries $5,000 bail. Felony spousal beating under PC 273.5 is set at $25,000.
Violating a domestic violence restraining order is $7,500. If the violation involves injury, bail rises to $25,000. Stalking with DV priors is $75,000.
Assault
Simple assault and simple battery are both $2,000 misdemeanors. Battery causing serious injury is a felony at $50,000.
Assault with a deadly weapon is $25,000. Assault with a machine gun is $75,000.
Theft and Burglary
Petty theft is a misdemeanor at $1,500. Residential burglary jumps to $50,000. Robbery is set at $100,000.
Carjacking carries one of the highest bail amounts in the theft category at $200,000.
Drug Charges
Nevada County sets drug bail based on the substance and quantity. Possession for sale starts at $35,000. Cocaine for sale is $50,000. Methamphetamine at the base level is $35,000.
Meth bail increases with quantity: $75,000 for 0.5 to 2 ounces, $100,000 for 2 ounces to 1 pound, $200,000 for 1 to 3 pounds, $500,000 for 3 to 10 pounds, and $1,000,000 for 10 pounds or more.
Weapons Charges
A felon in possession of a firearm faces $50,000 bail. Brandishing a weapon is a $2,500 misdemeanor. Brandishing a firearm specifically is $5,000. Carrying a concealed firearm is also $5,000.
Serious and Violent Felonies
Murder carries no bail in Nevada County. Voluntary manslaughter, kidnapping, and rape are each set at $100,000. Arson of an inhabited structure is $250,000.
Nevada County Bail Enhancements and Multipliers
The bail schedule includes rules that increase the total bail amount beyond the base charge. If a defendant has multiple offenses from the same date, the court doubles the highest single bail amount. Offenses from separate dates are added together cumulatively.
Each sentencing enhancement adds $15,000. One prior strike conviction adds $25,000. Two or more prior strikes add $150,000. Any unlisted felony defaults to $10,000 and any unlisted misdemeanor defaults to $2,000.
How the 10% Bail Bond Works
California law sets the bail bond premium at exactly 10% of the total bail amount. This is not something a bail bond company negotiates. It is fixed by state regulation.
Here is a simple example. If bail is set at $50,000 for a residential burglary charge, you pay a bail bondsman $5,000. The bondsman then posts the full $50,000 with the court as a guarantee that the defendant will appear. You do not have to come up with $50,000 in cash. You pay $5,000 and your loved one comes home while the case works through the courts.
The $5,000 is the bail bondsman's fee for assuming the risk. It is not refundable, regardless of how the case ends. If your loved one is found not guilty or charges are dropped, you do not get the bond premium back. That fee paid for their release and the guarantee posted to the court.
Allied Bail Bonds also offers payment plans. You do not have to pay the full 10% upfront. We can arrange as little as 10% of the premium as a down payment with manageable monthly payments for the rest. If the full bail is $50,000 and the premium is $5,000, you might start with just $500 down.
When No-Bail Holds Apply
Not every charge in Nevada County is bailable. Murder is listed as "no bail" on the schedule. California law also prohibits bail in capital cases carrying the death penalty or life without parole. Judges can deny bail in any case where they determine the defendant poses a significant danger to the community or is a flight risk.
Common situations where a no-bail hold may apply:
- The defendant is already on probation or parole
- A charge involves a specified sex offense
- The judge finds the defendant is a serious public safety risk
- The defendant has multiple prior failures to appear
If bail has been denied, a defense attorney can request a bail review hearing where a judge reconsiders the decision. Allied Bail Bonds can refer you to local criminal defense attorneys in Nevada County if needed.
How to Get Help in Nevada County
If your loved one has been arrested in Nevada County, call Allied Bail Bonds at (530) 272-2882. We answer 24 hours a day, including holidays. We will check the system, confirm the bail amount, explain your options, and begin the bond process immediately.
There is no office visit required. All paperwork is handled by phone and electronic signature. A licensed agent walks you through every document before you sign anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the bail schedule in Nevada County?
Nevada County uses a bail schedule approved by the Superior Court that assigns a preset bail amount for each criminal charge. Misdemeanor bail typically ranges from $1,500 to $10,000. Felony bail starts at $10,000 for unlisted charges and can exceed $1,000,000 for large-scale drug trafficking. A bail bondsman posts a surety bond for 10% of the total bail amount so you do not have to pay the full amount in cash.
How does a bail bond work in Nevada County?
After an arrest, the defendant is booked at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility and a bail amount is set based on the Nevada County bail schedule. A family member contacts a licensed bail bondsman who pays the court 10% of the bail amount on behalf of the defendant. The defendant is released and must appear at all court dates. If they miss a court date, the bond is forfeited.
What charges are not bailable in Nevada County?
Murder carries no bail under the Nevada County schedule. Capital crimes and charges carrying life without parole also have no right to bail in California. Judges can deny bail in cases involving high risk of flight, danger to the community, or defendants already on probation or parole. A detention hearing determines whether bail is set or denied entirely.
How do I get someone out of the Nevada County Jail?
Call Allied Bail Bonds at (530) 272-2882. We are available 24 hours a day. We will locate the detainee in the system, determine the bail amount, explain your payment options, and post the bond as quickly as the facility allows.