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Anybody looking to be bailed out of jail may wonder if it's more expensive to pay a bail bondsman. The way a bail bondsman works is that they provide a surety bond to secure the release of a defendant from jail. If a defendant cannot afford a full bail amount, they contact a bail bondsman to post the bond on their behalf. 

In the state of California, the bail bondsman charges a non-refundable fee, which is a maximum of 10% of the total bail amount. The bail bondsman then puts up the full bail amount with the court, acting as a surety guaranteeing the defendant's release and appearance at future court dates.

How Much Do You Pay for $100,000 Bail?

Based on the assumption that the typical bail bondsman fee is 10%, this means that for a $100,000 bail, this would amount to $10,000. However, we typically offer between 7% and 10% of the total bail amount. 7% of $100,000 works out as $7,000, 8% works out as $8,000, and 9% works out as $9,000.

How Much Does a $75,000 Bond Cost?

  • 10% of a $75,000 bond works out to $7,500. 
  • 9% is $6,750. 
  • 8% is $6,000. 
  • 7% of $75,000 is $5,250.

If Bail is $50,000, How Much Do I Pay?

As the fee varies between 7% and 10% of the total bail amount, if someone had a bail set at $50,000:

  • 7% of $50,000 is $3,500. 
  • 8% is $4,000. 
  • 9% is $4,500. 
  • 10% is $5,000.

If Your Bond is $2,000, How Much Do You Pay?

A bail amount set at $2,000 works out as follows: 

  • 7% is $140. 
  • 8% is $160. 
  • 9% is $180. 
  • 10% is $200.

It is also worth noting that many bail bond providers can offer discounts and payment options too. At King Stahlman Bail Bonds, we appreciate that getting a loved one out of jail can be incredibly stressful, especially in terms of finances. This is why we provide a variety of bail bond financing and discounts, including:

  • 1/2 down and easy monthly payment options.
  • 0% interest financing.
  • 20% off for the military.
  • 20% off for union members.
  • 20% off for lifetime residents.
  • 20% off for AARP members.
  • We also can help you get 30% off your bail bond services in California on approved cases.

Get the Financial Help You Need

As you can see, a typical bail bondsman fee is 10% of the total bail amount, which is non-refundable and paid to the bondsman for their service in posting the full bail with the court. 

You do not get that money back at the end of the case, and the money you pay the bondsman is their fee for taking on the risk and responsibility. It's also worth noting that the bail bondsman may also require collateral, for example, a lien on a house or the title to a car, in case you fail to appear in court. 

10% is the typical fee you would expect to pay, as it is the most common industry standard, but we also understand that while not everybody can pay this directly upfront, there are flexible financial solutions available as well.