Bail Bond FAQ

California law sets the bail bond premium at 10% of the total bail amount, regulated by the California Department of Insurance. It cannot legally be lower. For a $20,000 bail you pay $2,000. This fee is non-refundable. Payment plans are available for qualifying clients.

After we post at the Dambacher Detention Center in Sonora, release typically takes 2 to 6 hours depending on jail volume and staffing. We post bonds as fast as possible to minimize time inside.

Have as much of the following as you can: the inmate's full name, date of birth, the facility (Dambacher Detention Center, 12915 Justice Center Dr, Sonora CA), and their booking number if known. Don't have everything? Call now and we will look up the rest.

For misdemeanors, bail is set by schedule and can be posted immediately after booking. For felony charges, bail is typically set at an arraignment hearing within 48 to 72 hours of arrest. We can walk you through what to expect based on the specific charges.

Yes. We work with families and co-signers to set up manageable payment schedules. We accept cash, credit and debit cards, personal checks, and money orders. Financial hardship should not prevent your loved one from coming home.

The Tuolumne County Superior Court will issue a bench warrant and the bail bond may be forfeited. Contact us immediately. We can often help get the forfeiture vacated if addressed quickly. The co-signer becomes financially liable, so acting fast is critical.

No. The 10% bail premium is a non-refundable service fee regardless of the case outcome, set by California state law. Cash bail paid directly to the court (not through a bondsman) is refunded once the case concludes, minus any court-ordered fines.

Bail upholds the constitutional presumption of innocence. It allows a defendant to return home to their family and job while their case is resolved, rather than sitting in custody for months awaiting trial.

A co-signer (indemnitor) guarantees the bail bond and is responsible for ensuring the defendant appears at all court dates. They are financially liable if the bond is forfeited. Co-signers are typically a family member or close friend of the defendant.

All Tuolumne Bail Bonds paperwork is completed electronically. We send documents to your email or phone number, you review them, sign using a digital signature from any device, and return them. The entire signing process typically takes less than 10 minutes and can be done from home, from work, or anywhere with a cell signal. You never need to visit an office or appear at the jail.

A surety bond is a bail bond posted by a licensed bail bondsman on behalf of the defendant. You pay the bondsman 10% of the total bail amount as a premium. The bondsman then guarantees the full bail amount to the court. With cash bail, you or a family member pays the entire bail amount directly to the court and it is returned after the case concludes. Most families use a surety bond because paying 10% is far more affordable than paying the full amount upfront.

Yes. Domestic violence charges range from misdemeanor to felony depending on the severity. For some domestic violence arrests, California law imposes a mandatory 72-hour no-contact hold before bail can be posted. Once that hold expires, bail can be posted. Call us immediately after the arrest and we will monitor the status and post bail as soon as it becomes legally available.

The Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule is a list of standard bail amounts for common criminal offenses, adopted by the Tuolumne County Superior Court. It allows bail to be set automatically at booking for many offenses without waiting for a judge. When a charge appears on the bail schedule, we can post bail at the Dambacher Detention Center immediately after booking.

For clients who cannot pay the full 10% bail bond premium upfront, we offer payment plans with an approved co-signer. After a down payment, the remaining balance is paid over time according to a written agreement. The defendant is released immediately once the bond is posted, regardless of whether the full premium has been paid. Contact us to discuss what arrangements are available for your specific situation.

Our primary service area is Tuolumne County, California, including Sonora, Jamestown, Groveland, Twain Harte, Columbia, Mi-Wuk Village, Soulsbyville, Tuolumne City, Big Oak Flat, Moccasin, Chinese Camp, and Long Barn. For bail needs outside Tuolumne County, we can refer you to licensed agents in neighboring Calaveras, Mariposa, or Stanislaus counties.