Teller County DUI Bail Information
Understanding bail amounts, the release process, and what happens after a DUI arrest in Teller County.
County Jail Information
Teller 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
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)
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 Teller 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.
Teller County Bail Process After DUI Arrest
Being arrested for DUI in Teller County can be a stressful and confusing experience. Understanding the bail process is crucial for securing your release and beginning to navigate the legal challenges ahead. Bail is essentially a financial guarantee that you will appear in court as required. It allows you to be released from jail while your case is pending, enabling you to work with a DUI attorney, gather evidence, and prepare your defense from outside of custody.
Typical Bail Amounts for DUI
In Teller County, as in the rest of Colorado, bail amounts for DUI offenses are generally set according to a standardized bond schedule. However, specific circumstances can influence the final amount. According to the 4th Judicial District’s standardized bond schedule, you can generally expect the following:
- First Offense DUI/DWAI: $1,000
- Careless Driving with Injury: $1,000 (classified as an aggravated traffic offense)
- DUI/DWAI (Second Offense): Approximately $2,000 (calculated as $1,000 + $1,000 for each prior offense)
- Felony DUI (4th+ Offense): $2,000 - $10,000. This will also require monitored abstinence from alcohol and illegal drugs as a condition of bond.
- Driving Under Restraint (DUR): $500 (Personal Recognizance Bond possible)
These are baseline amounts. A judge can modify the bail amount based on factors like your criminal history, the severity of the offense, and perceived risk to public safety.
How to Post Bail in Teller County
The Teller County Sheriff’s Office accepts several methods for posting bail, providing options to suit different financial situations.
Option 1: cash bail
- How it Works: You pay the full bail amount in cash to the Teller County Jail.
- Where to Pay: At the Teller County Jail, located at 288 Weaverville Road, Divide, CO 80814.
- Payment Methods: The Teller County Sheriff’s Office accepts cash.
- Refund: If you attend all required court appearances, the cash bail is typically returned to the person who posted it (the surety) at the conclusion of the case, minus any court fees or fines.
Option 2: bail bondsman
- How it Works: You pay a non-refundable premium to a licensed bail bondsman, who then posts the full bail amount on your behalf. The premium is typically 10-15% of the total bail.
- What You'll Need: The bondsman will likely require identification, information about the arrest, and potentially collateral (e.g., a car title, jewelry) or a co-signer to guarantee the bond.
- Finding a Bondsman: The Sheriff’s Office is prohibited from recommending specific bondsmen. Given the rural location, many bondsmen are based in Colorado Springs or Pueblo.
Option 3: property bond
- How it Works: You use real estate equity as collateral to secure your release. The property's value must typically be 150-200% of the bail amount.
- Process: This is a more complex legal process involving the courts and the Teller County Clerk and Recorder’s office. The Sheriff’s Office cannot assist in drafting these documents.
Option 4: personal recognizance (pr bond)
- How it Works: You are released on your promise to appear in court. No money is paid.
- Eligibility: A PR bond is more common for low-level offenses. For a DUI, a judge's authorization at the first advisement hearing is often required, unless the bond schedule specifically allows for it.
Timeline: How Long Until Release?
Colorado House Bill 1280 (C.R.S. 16-4-102) mandates that the Sheriff must release a defendant within six hours after a bond is set and the defendant has returned to the jail (or bond is posted). However, this "six-hour rule" has exceptions.
- Typical Processing Time: Even with bail posted, administrative tasks like paperwork and verification can take time.
- Best Times to Post Bail: While the Teller County Jail operates 24/7, administrative efficiency can fluctuate. Shift changes, headcounts, and meal times can create "blackout" periods where processing slows.
- Factors Delaying Release:
- Sobriety: You will not be released until your Breath Alcohol Content (BAC) has dropped to a safe level (typically below 0.02 or 0.00). This physiological constraint creates a mandatory holding period.
- "Extraordinary Circumstances": This can extend the release timeline, most frequently due to the sobriety requirement.
- Law Enforcement Holds: If the vehicle contains evidence or is subject to forfeiture analysis, the Sheriff’s Office places a hold on the vehicle.
What Happens After Posting Bail
Posting bail is not the end of the process; it's the beginning of your defense.
- Conditions of Release: You will likely be subject to conditions of release, such as abstaining from alcohol, avoiding contact with certain individuals, or adhering to travel restrictions.
- Court Appearance: You will receive a notice to appear in court at the Teller County Combined Courts, located at 101 W. Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813.
- Consequences of Missing Court: Failure to appear in court will result in the forfeiture of your bail, a warrant for your arrest, and additional criminal charges.
Special Considerations in Teller County
Securing a defendant's release from the Teller County Jail requires navigating the intersection of judicial bond schedules, state statutes (HB 1280), and the facility's internal shift rhythms.
The Teller County Sheriff is legally permitted to charge a $10 bond fee and a maximum 3.5% credit card processing fee. You cannot be held solely for the non-payment of these specific fees at the time of bonding; they can be billed as a debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the Teller County Jail located? A: The Teller County Jail is located at 288 Weaverville Road, Divide, CO 80814.
Q: Can I call the Teller County Jail to speak with an inmate? A: No, the facility enforces a strict policy prohibiting incoming calls to detainees. If a family member must convey urgent information (e.g., a death in the family or medical emergency), they must call 719-687-7770 and leave a detailed message.
Q: What is the standard bond amount for a first-time DUI in Teller County? A: The standard bond amount for a first-time DUI in Teller County is typically $1,000, according to the 4th Judicial District’s standardized bond schedule.
Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Teller County in our bail bond directory.