Bail Bonds for DUI Charges
If someone has been arrested on a DUI charge, the questions pile up: where are they, what is bail, what comes next. This page covers the general process in California.
What a DUI Charge Means
A DUI charge generally involves driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The exact charge, and whether it is treated as a misdemeanor or a felony, varies with the facts and is decided by prosecutors and the court. Prior offenses and any injury to others can affect the amount. License issues proceed separately.
How Bail Is Set for DUI Charges
When a person is booked, jail staff match the charge to the county bail schedule. Only a judge is able to change that number, and some charges must be heard by a judge before release is possible. The agent who writes a bond has no control over it.
A Point to Raise With the Court or Attorney
Separate from the criminal case, the Department of Motor Vehicles may act on the driver's license, so ask an attorney about both tracks.
After Booking: What Families Can Do
- Speak to a criminal defense attorney about the charge and about asking for a bail change
- Call a licensed bondsperson to ask how a bond would work
- Check with the facility for the inmate booking number and the bail amount
- Ask whether the person can be released on the schedule or must see a judge
Before You Call a Bail Agent
Gather what you can from this list before you call:
- The jail or station where the person is held
- The charges, if known
- Your own name and phone number
- The person's full legal name and date of birth
- The booking number, if you have it
Local Help From Bail Bonds Monterey Park Experts
Bail Bonds Monterey Park Experts is based at 220 S. Glendora Ave Suite J, Glendora, CA 91741 and takes calls at (626) 513-8778 (open 24 hours / 7 days). For a DUI arrest, an agent can explain how bonds work in Los Angeles County, where people are held after an arrest by Monterey Park Police Department, such as Men's Central Jail, and which courthouse, for example Alhambra Courthouse (serving Monterey Park), hears the case.
Good to Know
If you are unsure about a term in a bail agreement, ask before you sign and ask for the answer in writing. You are entitled to a copy of everything you sign. Take the time you need to read it.
Is DUI a bailable offense in California?
In most cases a person arrested on this kind of charge can be offered bail, though some serious charges need a judge's review first. Check with the facility or an attorney about the specific case.
Can a bail agent give advice about a DUI charge?
A bail agent can explain how a bond works but cannot give legal advice about the charge. A criminal defense attorney can.