Bail for grand theft in California is set by each county's bail schedule, and a common presumptive amount is $10,000. Some counties set higher figures for theft of a firearm or for large losses. If you post that through a bail bondsman, the premium is 10% of the bail, so a $10,000 bail typically means a $1,000 premium. Below you will find how the charge is defined, how amounts are set, what a bond costs, and what to do in the first hours after an arrest.
TL;DR
- Grand theft means taking property or money worth more than $950 (or certain items regardless of value, such as a firearm). Taking $950 or less is usually petty theft, a misdemeanor.
- Each county publishes its own bail schedule. Santa Clara County lists $10,000 for grand theft, including auto and firearm theft. Other counties differ, and a judge can raise or lower the amount.
- With us, the premium is 10% of the bail, or 8% for attorney-referred clients. On $10,000 bail that is $1,000 or $800.
- Bail is not restitution. Even after release, the court can order you to repay the victim at sentencing.
- Some arrests come with a hold that delays release, such as a 1275.1 hold on the source of the bail money. Call early so the paperwork starts sooner.
Table of Contents
- What counts as grand theft in California
- How much is bail for grand theft in California?
- The schedule is only the starting point
- What a grand theft bond costs
- Why a hold can delay release
- Bail is not restitution
- What to do in the first hours after a grand theft arrest
- Our perspective on grand theft bail
- Getting a loved one out with Jake Hernandez Bail Bonds
- FAQ
- Sources
What counts as grand theft in California
California's Penal Code 487 defines grand theft as taking money, labor, or property worth more than $950. The same section lists other cases that qualify no matter what the value is. Those include theft of a firearm and theft of a car.
That is why people search for "grand theft auto bail" even though the legal charge is simply grand theft. The vehicle is the item taken, and the charge is the same code section.
Two details change real cases:
- Aggregation. Prosecutors can add up the value of related acts that came from one plan or impulse. Under the statute as it now reads, that can include acts across several counties or against several victims within a 90-day period. Several small thefts can therefore become one grand theft charge.
- The $950 line. Under Penal Code 490.2, theft of property worth $950 or less is generally petty theft and is punished as a misdemeanor. There are exceptions, including firearms and certain prior convictions, so the line is not absolute.
A charge can also be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony in some grand theft cases. That decision belongs to the prosecutor and later the court, and it affects bail and what happens next. A defense attorney can tell you how it applies to your family member's case.
How much is bail for grand theft in California
There is no single statewide number. Each county's superior court adopts a felony bail schedule, usually updated every January. The schedule gives a presumptive bail for each offense after a warrantless arrest.
Here is what the published 2026 schedules show:
| Charge | Example county schedule | Presumptive bail |
|---|---|---|
| Grand theft, all types, including person, firearm or auto, regardless of value | Santa Clara County 2026 | $10,000 |
| Typical standard grand theft | Several counties | Often $10,000 |
| Firearm theft or chop shop activity | Varies by county | Often $35,000 to $50,000 |
| Large-value theft | Varies by county | Some counties use sliding scales that climb with the amount stolen |
Treat that table as a starting point. Counties like Los Angeles, Orange, Fresno and Merced each publish their own schedule, and the figure for your case depends on where the arrest happened. The Los Angeles County court posts its 2026 felony bail schedule online, and it also explains that some offenses are cite-and-release, with $0 bail.
If you want the county-by-county view of theft more broadly, our guide How Much Is Bail for Theft in California? goes deeper.
Petty theft bail
Petty theft is a misdemeanor in most cases, so the bail is usually much lower than for grand theft. Many petty theft arrests end in a citation or a release on a promise to appear, with no money needed at all. If the person is held, our misdemeanor bail bonds page explains how we handle those cases.
Grand theft auto bail
Because car theft falls under the same grand theft statute, the bail in a county schedule is often the same presumptive figure as other grand theft. Some schedules add a separate figure for chop shop operations or for theft combined with other charges. Check the county where the person is booked, then ask us to confirm the number against the booking record.
The schedule is only the starting point
The presumptive amount applies when someone is booked after a warrantless arrest. It is not a fixed price. At the first court appearance, a judge looks at the whole case and can set bail higher or lower. The Santa Clara court's bail schedule page explains that judicial officers keep significant discretion.
According to the California Penal Code, the judge weighs public safety first, then the seriousness of the offense, the defendant's record, and the likelihood that the person will return to court. Grand theft alone rarely triggers extra scrutiny, but factors like a prior record, a missed court date, or a theft linked to a violent act can all move the number. Our overview, Factors Judges Consider Setting Bail, covers that in detail.
For certain serious or violent offenses, such as those involving threats or domestic violence, Penal Code 1270.1 requires a hearing in open court before release on bail above the schedule. A plain grand theft arrest is usually not in that group. But if the arrest includes another charge, the hearing can add time in custody. Ask us to check every charge on the booking sheet, not just the theft.
What a grand theft bond costs
Most families do not pay the full bail. They pay a bondsman a nonrefundable premium, and the bondsman posts the bail with the jail or court. Our standard premium is 10% of the bail. If an attorney is involved, the attorney discount brings the premium to 8%, and we apply it automatically.
Here is the math on common grand theft bail amounts:
| Bail amount | Premium at 10% | Premium at 8% (attorney discount) |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $1,000 | $800 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 | $1,600 |
| $35,000 | $3,500 | $2,800 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
Those figures come straight from the percentages, so you can check any bail amount yourself in a few seconds.
If cash is tight, ask about our $500 down bail bonds and payment plans for qualified co-signers. The co-signer's income, work history and ties to the community drive approval, and we explain the terms before anything is signed. The premium is not refunded when the case ends, even if charges are dropped, so it helps to know that up front.
Why a hold can delay release
Sometimes the bail amount is not what keeps someone in custody. Two situations come up often in theft cases.
A 1275.1 hold. Under Penal Code 1275.1, a judge or magistrate must find that no part of the bail money came from a felonious act. If the court has probable cause to think the bail funds were obtained through a crime, it can order a hold. The defendant then has to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the money was legal. In a theft case this matters, because the court may ask where the bail money came from. We handle these holds and work with the defense attorney on the hearing.
A multi-charge booking. If a theft arrest comes with a probation violation, a warrant in another county, or a hold from another agency, the bond for the theft alone may not release anyone. Tell us everything on the booking sheet when you call.
Bring documents showing where the money came from, such as pay stubs or bank statements, if you are putting up your own funds as collateral or paying the premium.
Bail is not restitution
Families often mix these up. Bail secures release while the case is pending, and its purpose is to make sure the person returns to court. Restitution is different. It is money owed to the victim, and the court orders it at sentencing if there is a conviction. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's page on financial recovery for victims describes restitution as compensation owed to the victim for crime-related expenses. It also states that restitution fines for felonies range from $300 to $10,000.
In practical terms, paying a bond does not pay the victim. A conviction can mean paying back what was taken, on top of fines, and the amount can be set by the court after a hearing. If you want a plain-language explanation from a defense lawyer's perspective, this explainer on why restitution is ordered in criminal cases is a helpful read, though note that it comes from a Mississippi practice, so California procedures and amounts will differ. For your own situation, ask the defense attorney how restitution could apply to the facts of the case.
What to do in the first hours after a grand theft arrest
- Get the booking details. You need the full name, date of birth, the jail, and the booking number if you have it. County jails usually have an inmate locator online.
- Read the charges. Grand theft, theft of a car, burglary and receiving stolen property are different codes with different bail. Our guide on burglary bail in California shows how a related charge can raise the amount.
- Call us. A consultation is free, and we answer 24/7. We can confirm the bail with the jail and tell you what the premium would be.
- Decide who co-signs. The co-signer promises that the defendant will attend every court date. Pick someone who can stay in touch with the defendant and handle the paperwork.
- Talk to a defense attorney. A lawyer can ask the court to review bail, and can advise on whether the charge is a felony or a misdemeanor.
- Plan for every court date. Missing one can lead to forfeiture of the bond and a new warrant. We guide families through each date.
For a longer walk-through, our felony bail checklist for the first 24 to 72 hours lays out the process step by step.
Our perspective on grand theft bail
We see the same pattern with theft arrests. The family finds a bail number online, assumes it is the price, and then gets stuck on the wrong question. The bail figure on a schedule is only a presumption. The real questions are what charges are actually on the booking sheet, whether a hold is attached, and who can sign.
We also believe a bond works best when you speak to a person who knows the paperwork, not a call center. When you call us, you reach a practitioner who can look at the booking, explain the premium in dollars, and tell you what is likely to slow the release. We cover all 58 California counties, and we offer service in Spanish, Hindi and Arabic, because stress is hard enough without a language barrier.
Our advice for grand theft cases is simple. Start with the facts of the booking, not the internet's average. Ask for the premium in dollars before you commit. Talk to a defense attorney early, because the charge level and the restitution exposure are legal questions, and a lawyer is the right person for them.
— Jake
Getting a loved one out with Jake Hernandez Bail Bonds
If someone you love was arrested for grand theft, we can start today. Our service covers every California county, including Los Angeles County, Orange County and Fresno County, and you can begin online through our online bail bonds page. Consultations are free. For the full picture of felony cases, see our felony bail bonds page, or go to our homepage to reach us.
FAQ
How much is bail for grand theft in California?
It depends on the county. A presumptive bail of $10,000 is common, and Santa Clara County's 2026 schedule lists that figure for grand theft, including auto and firearm theft. Some counties set higher amounts for firearms, chop shops or large losses, and a judge can change the amount at the first court appearance.
How much is the bond premium on $10,000 bail?
At our 10% premium, a $10,000 bail costs $1,000. If an attorney is involved, the attorney discount of 8% brings it to $800. The premium is nonrefundable, and we go over the terms with the co-signer before signing.
Is petty theft bail different from grand theft bail?
Yes. Petty theft is generally a misdemeanor when the value is $950 or less, so bail is usually lower. Many petty theft arrests end in a citation or a release without posting any bail. If the person is held, call us and we can check the amount.
Can someone be held even if bail is posted?
Yes. A hold under Penal Code 1275.1 can delay release while the court looks at the source of the bail money. Other charges, warrants or agency holds can also keep a person in custody. Give us the full booking record so we can spot these early.
Does paying bail cover what the victim lost?
No. Bail secures release during the case, while restitution is ordered at sentencing after a conviction. A defense attorney can explain how restitution might apply in a specific case.
Sources
- California Penal Code 487
- California Penal Code 490.2 (FindLaw)
- Santa Clara County 2026 bail schedule
- Los Angeles County 2026 felony bail schedule
- Santa Clara court bail schedule page
- California Penal Code 1270.1
- California Penal Code 1275.1
- CDCR financial recovery for victims