When someone you care about is arrested in Placer County, one of the first questions you will have is: how much is bail? The answer depends on the Placer County bail schedule. This article explains how it works, what common bail amounts look like, how strike priors affect the total, 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 Placer County Superior Court maintains separate schedules for felony and misdemeanor offenses. The current felony bail schedule was adopted in 2023 and the misdemeanor schedule in 2024. The amounts listed below reflect these current schedules. If the charge is serious enough or the defendant has prior convictions or strike offenses, the bail amount can increase significantly.
Sources: Placer County Felony Bail Schedule (2023) and Placer County Misdemeanor Bail Schedule (2024).
Common Bail Amounts in Placer 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 (misdemeanor to felony) | $5,000 - $500,000 | $500 - $50,000 |
| Domestic violence | $25,000 - $150,000 | $2,500 - $15,000 |
| Drug possession / sale | $2,500 - $1,000,000 | $250 - $100,000 |
| Assault (simple to firearm) | $2,000 - $150,000 | $200 - $15,000 |
| Burglary / robbery | $20,000 - $200,000 | $2,000 - $20,000 |
| Weapons charges | $2,500 - $150,000 | $250 - $15,000 |
Note: These are general ranges. Actual bail amounts depend on the specific charge code, the defendant's criminal history, and any enhancements the prosecutor adds. Strike priors can double or triple the amount shown above.
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 someone is arrested for corporal injury to a spouse (PC 273.5) in Placer County, bail is set at $50,000. 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.
Strike Enhancements in Placer County
Placer County applies California's three-strikes law directly to bail calculations. If the defendant has prior strike convictions, bail increases significantly before a judge ever reviews the case.
Here is how it works:
- One prior strike: Bail is doubled from the scheduled amount
- Two or more prior strikes: Bail is tripled or set at $250,000, whichever is greater
- On parole at time of arrest: An additional $25,000 is added to bail
- On felony probation at time of arrest: An additional $25,000 is added to bail
For example, if someone is arrested for residential burglary ($60,000 bail) and has one prior strike, bail automatically doubles to $120,000. With two prior strikes, it triples to $250,000 (since $180,000 tripled is less than the $250,000 minimum). The 10% bond on $250,000 would be $25,000.
When No-Bail Holds Apply
Not every charge in Placer County is bailable. Murder carries no bail under the Placer County 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:
- Murder charges (listed as NO BAIL on the Placer County schedule)
- The defendant is already on probation or parole (bail may still be set but with significant additions)
- A charge involves a specified sex offense
- 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 Placer County if needed.
How to Get Help in Placer County
If your loved one has been arrested in Placer County, call Allied Bail Bonds at (916) 782-2377. We answer 24 hours a day, including holidays. We will check the system at the Santucci Justice Center or Auburn Main Jail, 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 Placer County?
Placer County uses a bail schedule approved by Superior Court judges that sets standard bail amounts for most criminal charges. The current felony schedule was adopted in 2023 and the misdemeanor schedule in 2024. Common misdemeanor offenses range from $2,000 to $25,000. Felonies range from $15,000 for unlisted charges up to $1,000,000 or more for violent crimes. A bail bondsman posts a surety bond for 10% of the total bail amount.
Where is someone booked in Placer County?
Most arrests in Placer County are processed at the Santucci Justice Center located at 10545 Armstrong Ave in Roseville. After booking, bail is set based on the Placer County bail schedule. Court appearances are typically held at the Santucci Justice Center in Roseville, though some cases go to the Historic Courthouse in Auburn.
What happens if someone has a prior strike in Placer County?
Placer County applies California strike enhancement rules strictly. If the defendant has one prior strike conviction, bail is doubled. If the defendant has two or more prior strikes, bail is tripled or set at $250,000, whichever amount is greater. Being on parole or felony probation at the time of arrest adds an additional $25,000 to the bail amount.
How do I get someone out of Placer County Jail?
Call Allied Bail Bonds at (916) 782-2377. We are available 24 hours a day, including holidays. We will locate the detainee in the system at the Santucci Justice Center or Auburn Main Jail, confirm the bail amount based on the current Placer County schedule, explain your payment options, and post the bond as quickly as the facility allows.