Routt County DUI Bail Information

Routt County Bail Process After DUI Arrest

Being arrested for DUI in Routt County, Colorado, can be a stressful experience. One of the first questions on your mind is likely, "How do I get out of jail?" This guide provides a step-by-step explanation of the bail process in Routt County, offering practical information to help you navigate the system and secure your release.

Bail is a financial guarantee that you will appear in court as required. It allows you to be released from jail while your case is pending. If you attend all court dates, the bail money is typically returned (less any applicable fees). If you fail to appear, you forfeit the bail money, and a warrant is issued for your arrest. The Routt County Detention Center (Jail) is located at 2027 Shield Drive, Steamboat Springs.

Typical Bail Amounts for DUI

The amount of bail required in Routt County depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, your criminal history, and any aggravating circumstances. The Chief Judge of the 14th Judicial District authorizes a presumptive Bond Schedule.

• First Offense DUI: $1,000 - $2,000
• DUI with Injury: Higher amounts are determined by a judge, and no bond (a "hold") may be issued until the next court session.
• DUI with Prior Offenses: $2,000 - $5,000

If the DUI involves an accident with injury, eluding, or child abuse, the defendant is held until the next court session for a judge to set bond.

How to Post Bail in Routt County

There are several options for posting bail in Routt County.

Option 1: cash bail

• How it Works: You pay the full bail amount directly to the Routt County jail.
• Refund: After your case concludes, approximately 90% of the bail amount is typically refunded, provided you have attended all court appearances. The court can deduct fines, court costs, and restitution from the bond money before refunding the balance unless someone else is designated as the "Surety".
• Payment Location: The jail lobby contains a kiosk that accepts cash and credit cards.
• Fees: Be aware that using the kiosk involves significant fees. This machine is operated by a third-party vendor (JailATM/SmartDeposit) and charges approximately 3.5% for cash and up to 10% for credit card transactions.
• Surety Designation: If a friend or family member posts a cash bond at the kiosk, they must explicitly request to be designated as the Surety on the bond paperwork. If the depositor is listed as the Surety, the court cannot seize the bond money for fines. The full amount must be returned to the Surety (assuming the defendant appeared for all court dates).

Option 2: bail bondsman

• How it Works: You pay a non-refundable fee (typically 10-15% of the total bail amount) to a licensed bail bondsman. The bondsman then posts the full bail amount on your behalf.
• Requirements: You will typically need to provide identification, collateral (such as a car title or jewelry), and possibly a co-signer to secure the bond.
• Finding a Bondsman: (Directory listings available on this site).
• Digital Bonding: Some providers offer "100% online" bonding, which can be convenient if you are not local to Routt County.

Option 3: property bond

• How it Works: You use real estate as collateral to secure your release.
• Value: The property must be worth significantly more than the bail amount, typically 150-200%.
• Processing Time: Property bonds take longer to process than cash or surety bonds due to the need for appraisals and lien filings.

Option 4: personal recognizance (pr bond)

• How it Works: You are released on your own recognizance, meaning you promise to appear in court without posting any bail.
• Eligibility: PR bonds are more common for first-time offenders with strong ties to the Routt County community and no history of failing to appear in court.
• Routt County Factors: Often eligible for Personal Recognizance (PR) if the defendant has local ties and no prior history.

Timeline: How Long Until Release?

The time it takes to be released from jail after posting bail in Routt County can vary.

• Typical Processing Time: The Routt County Jail aims to process releases as quickly as possible, but processing paperwork for a bond can be delayed.
• Best Times to Post Bail: The most efficient release windows are mid-morning (09:00-11:00) and mid-afternoon (14:00-16:00).
• Potential Delays:
• Shift Changes: Law enforcement operations universally experience a slowdown during shift changes. In Routt County, these occur typically around 06:00-07:00 and 18:00-19:00. During these windows, staff are briefing relief officers and conducting headcounts. Processing paperwork for a bond during these times is deprioritized.
• Meal and Medication Times: The facility operates on a regimented schedule for inmate management. Attempting to bond out a defendant between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM or 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM will result in delays. Staff will not interrupt feeding or medication distribution to process release paperwork.
• The Six-Hour Rule: By statute, a defendant who posts bond must be released within six hours. However, the jail is permitted to delay this for "safety" or operational security. In the context of a DUI, if the defendant is still visibly intoxicated, the jail may hold them until their BAC drops to a safe level, regardless of bond posting.

What Happens After Posting Bail

Once you are released from jail after posting bail, you must comply with the conditions of your release.

• Conditions of Release: These may include abstaining from alcohol and drugs, attending mandatory sobriety monitoring, surrendering your passport, avoiding contact with the alleged victim, and remaining within Routt County. Felony DUI mandatory conditions often include monitored sobriety (SCRAM, UA) and surrender of passport.
• Court Appearances: You will be given a date to appear in court. It is crucial to attend all scheduled court appearances.
• Failure to Appear: If you fail to appear in court, a warrant will be issued for your arrest, and you will forfeit the bail money.

Special Considerations in Routt County

• Justice Center Location: The Routt County Sheriff's Office, Detention Center, and Combined Courts are all located in the "Justice Center" complex on Shield Drive, Steamboat Springs.
• Tourist Population: Routt County has a high population of seasonal workers and tourists. If you are not a resident, you may need to take extra steps to demonstrate your ties to the community to be considered for a PR bond.
• Weather: Steamboat Springs can experience severe winter weather. If you are released from jail without appropriate clothing, arrange for someone to bring you warm clothes.

Frequently Asked Questions

**1. Can I get a ride from the jail after being released on bail in Routt County?*It's best to arrange transportation in advance. Due to liability issues, jail staff cannot provide rides. Consider contacting a taxi service or ride-sharing company, or ask a friend or family member to pick you up.

**2. What happens to my personal belongings when I'm released from the Routt County Jail on bail?*Upon booking, all personal property is seized and inventoried. Released inmates have 30 days to retrieve their property. After this, it is disposed of. A defendant cannot give property to another inmate. If a defendant is released, they cannot leave their winter coat for a cellmate who is staying.

**3. If I post bail with a credit card at the Routt County Jail kiosk, can I get the fees back when the bail is refunded?*No, the fees charged by the third-party vendor (JailATM/SmartDeposit) for using the kiosk are non-refundable.

Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Routt County in our bail bond directory.