Cheyenne County DUI Bail Information
Understanding bail amounts, the release process, and what happens after a DUI arrest in Cheyenne County.
Typical Bail Range
For a first-offense DUI in Cheyenne County, bail typically ranges from:
First-time DUI offense
Bail Can Be Higher If:
- High BAC level (≥0.15)
- Accident or injury involved
- Minor passenger in vehicle
- Prior DUI offenses
- Probation or parole violation
- Additional charges (evading arrest, assault, etc.)
County Jail Information
Cheyenne County Jail
Inmate Search
Use the online inmate locator to check booking status, bail amount, and release information.
What to Expect
Booking Process
2-8 hours for processing, fingerprinting, and photographing
Arraignment
Within 24-48 hours, bail set by judge
Release Options
Cash bond, bail bond, or personal recognizance (rare for DUI)
How Bail Bonds Work
Option 1: Cash Bond (Pay Full Amount)
How it works: Pay the full bail amount to the court
Pros: Get full amount back after case concludes (minus court fees)
Cons: Requires full amount upfront ($800-$3,000)
Option 2: Bail Bondsman (Most Common)
How it works: Pay 10-15% fee to bondsman, they post full bail
Cost: Typically 10% of bail amount (non-refundable)
Example: On $800 bail = $80 fee
Pros: Only need 10% upfront instead of full amount
Cons: Fee is non-refundable, may require collateral, co-signer assumes liability
Co-Signer Liability Warning
Important for Co-Signers:
- You are 100% liable if defendant does not appear in court
- You must pay the full bail amount if defendant skips
- Bondsman can seize collateral (house, car, etc.)
- You cannot cancel the bond - only the court can
- Liability continues until case is fully resolved
Release Timeline
Arrest & Booking (2-8 hours)
Fingerprinting, photographing, background check, medical screening
Arraignment (Within 24-48 hours)
First court appearance, judge sets bail amount, charges are read
Bail Posted (1-4 hours)
Family contacts bondsman, paperwork signed, fee paid
Release (2-6 hours)
Processing, release paperwork, return of personal property, court date assigned
Total Time Estimate
From arrest to release: 12-48 hours depending on booking workload, time of arrest (weekends take longer), and how quickly bail is posted.
After Release: Critical Deadlines
1. Request MVD Hearing - 15 Days
You have only 15 days from arrest to request your administrative license hearing. This is separate from your criminal case.
2. Retrieve Your Vehicle
Impound fees accrue daily. Get your car as soon as possible to avoid hundreds in storage fees.
Calculate Impound Costs3. Contact a Bail Bondsman
Need fast release in Cheyenne County? Contact a verified 24/7 Bail Bondsman to start the release process immediately.
Find a Bondsman4. Appear at ALL Court Dates
Missing court will result in bond forfeiture, arrest warrant, and additional charges. Your co-signer will be liable for the full bail amount.
How to post bail and get out of jail after a DUI arrest in Cheyenne Wells, CO. Learn about typical bond amounts, cash bail, and local release timelines.
Cheyenne County Bail Process After DUI Arrest
Understanding Bail in the Local Court System
The Sheriff's Office processes roughly 15 to 20 DUI arrests annually. When an arrest occurs on local highways like U.S. Highway 40 or U.S. Highway 385, deputies transport the driver to the jail facility in Cheyenne Wells. This process is governed by Title 42 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.).
Bail serves as a financial commitment. It ensures the arrested driver will appear for all scheduled court proceedings at the Combined Court located at 51 S. 1st St. If you do not post bail, you must remain in custody until your first scheduled appearance before a judge.
Typical Bail Amounts for DUI
The 15th Judicial District Bond Schedule establishes standard financial requirements for release. These amounts serve as a baseline for deputies processing bookings after normal business hours.
A first offense misdemeanor DUI carries a standard reference bond of $1,000. For a Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) charge, the default reference amount is $800.
If the driver has prior alcohol related driving convictions, the bond remains $1,000 but includes strict conditions before release. The schedule mandates monitored abstinence. This means the defendant must submit to continuous alcohol monitoring before or immediately after release.
For a felony DUI, which occurs upon a fourth or subsequent offense, the bond amount increases to $3,000 or more. A defendant facing a felony charge cannot obtain automatic release under the schedule and must wait for a formal hearing before a judge. A charge of Driving Under Restraint (DUR) that is alcohol related also carries a standard bond of $3,000.
How to Post Bail must be posted at the local jail facility located at 91 East 1st St N, Cheyenne Wells, CO 80810. The facility can be reached at (719) 767-5633. There are four distinct methods available to secure a release.
Option 1: cash bail
The defendant or a family member can pay the full amount of the bond in cash directly to the jail staff. This method requires immediate liquidity. The jail holds the cash in trust until the court clerk processes the case.
Once the criminal case concludes, the court clerk returns the cash to the person who posted it. The court typically retains a small percentage for administrative fees and may deduct court fines or costs from the refund. If the defendant misses a single court date, the entire cash amount is forfeited to the state.
Option 2: bail bondsman
A professional bondsman can post the bond in exchange for a fee that is not refundable. This premium is typically 15% of the total bond amount under state regulations. For a standard $1,000 DUI bond, the fee is $150.
The bondsman requires the co-signer to provide identification and sometimes collateral to secure the remaining bond value. Because there are no physical bail bond offices located in Cheyenne Wells, regional agents must travel from larger cities to sign the paperwork at the jail. This travel requirement causes processing delays.
Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Cheyenne County in our bail bond directory.
Option 3: property bond
A defendant can use real estate equity to secure release. The equity in the property must equal at least 150% to 200% of the total bail amount.
This option is rarely used for misdemeanor DUI cases. It requires a formal property appraisal, a title search, and a court hearing to approve the lien. The administrative steps take days or weeks, making it impractical for someone seeking immediate release.
Option 4: personal recognizance (pr bond)
A personal recognizance bond allows release based solely on a signature and a promise to appear in court. The 15th Judicial District utilizes the Colorado Pretrial Assessment Tool (CPAT) to evaluate the risk level of each detainee.
First time offenders with deep ties to the local community are the primary candidates for a PR bond. Eligible factors include local employment and land ownership. A PR bond requires judicial approval. If the arrest occurs over a weekend, the defendant must wait in custody until the Monday morning court docket unless an on-call judge authorizes the signature bond by phone.
Timeline: How Long Until Release?
The local jail is small. It runs with a minimal night shift crew. Booking procedures, including fingerprinting and warrant checks, are manual. This takes time.
State law prohibits the release of an intoxicated person. Detainees must remain in a holding cell until their breath alcohol level drops to 0.000. This sobering period can add six to twelve hours to the detention timeline.
Posting bail during regular business hours between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM is generally faster. During these hours, administrative staff are present to process paperwork. Delays occur when waiting for regional bondsmen to drive to the facility or when waiting for a weekend judge to review a PR bond request.
What Happens After Posting Bail
Release from custody is conditional. The standard bond conditions require the defendant to remain sober, avoid further law violations, and attend all scheduled hearings at the Combined Court located at 51 S. 1st St.
If the court imposes monitored abstinence as a condition of bond, the defendant must immediately arrange testing. Failing to comply with these conditions or missing a court date results in immediate bond revocation. The judge will issue a bench warrant for arrest, and the defendant will face additional criminal charges for violating bail conditions.
Special Considerations in the Local Area
The lack of local service providers creates a significant logistical hurdle for defendants in this region. If your bond conditions require monitored abstinence or alcohol education, you face what is known as a rural penalty.
There are no ignition interlock installation centers or SCRAM monitoring providers in Cheyenne Wells. To comply with these requirements, you must travel to Burlington, which is 40 miles north, or Lamar, which is 55 miles south. Centennial Mental Health Center, located at 80 E 1st St, Suite 2, Cheyenne Wells, CO 80810, is the only local provider licensed for required alcohol education and therapy classes.
The administrative track with the Colorado Department of Revenue runs parallel to the criminal case. If you refused a chemical test or blew a 0.08 BAC or higher, you have exactly seven days from the date of arrest to request an Express Consent hearing online at mydmv.colorado.gov.