How Much Is Bail for a Misdemeanor in Ohio?

December 01, 2021

By Andy Callif Bail Bonds

Misdemeanor Bail Amount

If you learn that your loved one has been arrested for a misdemeanor, you might wonder how much it will cost to get them out of jail while their case is pending. In Ohio, the bail amount for a misdemeanor depends on several factors. These include the severity of the offense and the specific crime the individual has been accused of. In some cases, the bail amount might be set by a schedule; in others, by a judge.

This blog will discuss the possible bail amounts for misdemeanors in Ohio and the situations in which it is determined by a schedule or a judge.

The Presumption of Personal Recognizance

For some misdemeanor matters, the presumption is to release the defendant on their own recognizance (Crim. R. 46). To be released on personal recognizance means that neither you nor your loved one would have to pay money to get released from police custody. Rather, your loved one would sign a note promising to appear in court for future hearings.

If your loved one is released on their own recognizance, but they do not show up to court when scheduled, they could be charged with another crime in addition to the one they were originally arrested for. Regardless of what happens in the case for the primary offense (whether they are found guilty or not guilty), if they are convicted for failing to appear, they could be facing jail time and/or a fine.

Although the presumption is to release a defendant accused of a minor misdemeanor on their own recognizance, law enforcement officials or the prosecutor can challenge this presumption. If they convince the judge that probable cause exists to believe that personal recognizance release is insufficient to protect the alleged victim or the community from future harm or that the defendant is unlikely to show for court, the judge may set bail in their case.

Misdemeanor Bail Schedule in Ohio

For most misdemeanor crimes, bail will be set according to a schedule. The schedule lists the amount you or your loved one can pay to secure their release from jail. Because it is a preset figure, your loved one would not have to wait for their first appearance in court to have a judge set the amount.

The amounts listed in bail schedules are based on the seriousness of the offense. In Ohio, misdemeanors are separated into four different degrees, with first-degree crimes considered the most serious (they carry a jail term of not more than 180 days) and fourth-degree crimes considered the least serious (they carry a jail term of not more than 30 days). As such, the bail amount will be higher for more severe offenses.

Although a bail schedule exists for misdemeanors, the amount you or your loved one must pay will vary depending on which court has jurisdiction over the case.

Below are the misdemeanor bail schedules for various courts in Ohio:

Bail Bonds Warren County Court Ohio:
- Fourth-degree misdemeanor: $5,000
- Third-degree misdemeanor: $7,500
- Second-degree misdemeanor: $10,000
- First-degree misdemeanor: $15,000
Bail Bonds Monroe County Court Ohio:
- Minor misdemeanor: Own recognizance
- Fourth-degree misdemeanor: $500
- Third-degree misdemeanor: $750
- Second-degree misdemeanor: $1,000
- First-degree misdemeanor: $1,250
Bail Bonds Franklin Municipal Court Ohio:
- Fourth-degree misdemeanor: $5,000
- Third-degree misdemeanor: $7,500
- Second-degree misdemeanor: $10,000
- First-degree misdemeanor: $15,000
Bail Bonds Akron Municipal Court Ohio:
- Fourth-degree misdemeanor: $1,250
- Third-degree misdemeanor: $1,500
- Second-degree misdemeanor: $1,750
- First-degree misdemeanor: $2,000

Bail schedules can only be set for non-violent misdemeanors. If the offense involved harm or threatened harm to others, the judge must determine the bail amount.

The following are misdemeanor offenses that cannot have bail set by a schedule:

Domestic violence
Assault
Aggravated trespassing
Aggravated menacing
Menacing by stalking
Violation of a domestic violence temporary protection order
Sexually oriented offenses

Additionally, if your loved one has been charged with one or more misdemeanors in addition to one or more felonies, a judge must decide on their bail.

What Factors Determine Bail Amounts?

If a judge must determine your loved one’s bail amount, they will consider various factors to decide what to set it at.

Under O.R.C. § 2937.23, the variables the judge will look at include:

The seriousness of the offense
Your loved one’s prior criminal history (if any)
The likelihood of your loved one appearing for all scheduled court dates

Reach Out to an Ohio Bail Bonds Company for Help

Whether your loved one’s bail is set by a schedule or a judge, the amount can be high. Because their arrest may have come unexpectedly, you might not be financially ready to pay for their release from jail. If you cannot post bail for your loved one, they would have to stay in police custody for the duration of their case. Remaining behind bars can affect your loved one’s well-being and make it challenging for them to prepare their defense.

Fortunately, you can reach out to a bail bonds company in Ohio for assistance getting your loved one out of police custody. For a 10% non-refundable fee, the agency will provide a promise to the court that your loved one will appear as required and will pay the full bail amount should they not show up.

Going through a bail bonds company can be an affordable option. You pay only a portion of the total bail amount. For instance, if bail is set at $10,000, you would pay $1,000 to secure your loved one’s release from jail.

Additionally, when you enlist the services of a bail bonds company, you will have an agent by your side. They can let you know what to expect throughout the process and review your and your loved one’s obligations after release from jail. Having this information can help avoid non-compliance with court orders.

Bail Bondsman Serving Ohio

Our Ohio bail bonds agency serves clients in the following areas:

For the experienced assistance you need in Columbus, please contact Andy Callif Bail Bonds by calling (614) 945-4334 today. We are available 24/7 to help.

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