If you or a loved one have found yourself arrested for a crime, no one wants to spend time sitting in jail waiting for trial. Luckily, a judge may set a bail amount to ensure that the person accused of the crime will show up at the trial. In some cases, posting bail can save you from spending several weeks in jail.
Bail costs vary widely depending on the crime and location. If you’re wondering, “How much is bail?” here’s a general guide to the cost you may have to shoulder in order to walk out of jail rather than sit and wait for your trial date.
How much is bail?
There is no set cost for bail around the country, as each jurisdiction sets its costs a bit differently. Typically, a judge sets bail for a defendant. In some cases, usually where severe or violent crimes are concerned, a judge may deny bail entirely. There are several other factors that can play a part in the amount a judge sets for bail, including:
- Age of the accused and their prior criminal record
- Any potential threat to the victim, family of the victim or the public at large
- Whether the accused has any other pending charges or cases
- Prior record of appearing in court
Overall, a judge looks at the risk the accused may pose to the community if released from jail, as well as the likelihood they’ll appear for their court date. Remember that felonies carry significantly higher bail costs compared to misdemeanors. Below is a detailed look regarding bail amounts for these two classes of cases.
Bail amounts for felony crimes
Felony crimes are the most serious crimes, including murder, manslaughter, assault, rape, robbery, arson, carjacking and more. In many cases, bail for felony crimes is five to 10 times higher than for misdemeanors. The breakdown of typical costs below is simply a guideline, as sentence enhancements, prior criminal history and the location in which the case is being prosecuted are also factors in the amount set by a judge:
- Murder: $250,000 to $1,000,000
- Manslaughter: $25,000 to $100,000
- Assault: $25,000 to $50,000
- Rape: $25,000 to $100,000
- Robbery: $25,000 to $100,000
- Arson: $50,000 to $200,000
- Carjacking: $100,000
Bail amounts for misdemeanor crimes
Judges also look at prior criminal history of the accused to set bail amounts. Generally, a judge determines how much of a risk the accused poses if released into society before their trial. Again, these numbers are simply guidelines, and vary by jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of your individual situation:
- Simple assault and battery: $2,500 to $10,000
- Possession of a controlled substance: $1,000 to $3,000
- DUI or DWI: $500 to $50,000
- Criminal trespass: $1,000 to $3,000
- Harassment: $3,000
- Prostitution: $1,000 to $3,000
Most people don’t have money sitting around to pay for bail costs, whether for low-level misdemeanors or serious felonies. If you need help covering bail for yourself or for a loved one, reach out to Brazoria County Bail Bonds and we’ll provide you with the assistance and guidance you need.