Chatham County DUI Bail Guide
Bail amounts, how bonds work, and what to expect when getting released from Chatham County jail in Savannah.
Last verified: September 5, 2026
DUI Bail Amounts
| Offense | Bail |
|---|---|
| 1st Offense DUI | $1,000 - $5,000 |
| 2nd Offense (within 10 yrs) | $5,000 - $10,000 |
| 3rd+ Offense (within 10 yrs) | $10,000 - $25,000+ |
| High BAC (0.15+) | $3,000 - $7,500 |
| With Child Passenger | $10,000+ |
Amounts vary by criminal history, BAC level, and circumstances. Bondsman fee: 10-15% (non-refundable). O.C.G.A. 40-6-391 governs DUI offenses.
Where to Post Bail
How Bail Bonds Work
The Process
Contact a bondsman
Available 24/7
Pay 10-15% fee
Non-refundable
Bondsman posts bail
They guarantee the court
You're released
Must attend all court dates
Co-Signer Warning
If you co-sign, you are legally responsible if the defendant fails to appear.
- 100% liable for full bail amount
- Collateral (house, car) can be seized
- Cannot cancel once signed
Release Timeline
Booking
2-8 hrsFingerprints, photos, background check
Arraignment
24-48 hrsJudge sets bail amount
Bail Posted
1-4 hrsPaperwork signed, fee paid
Release
2-6 hrsProperty returned
Booking
2-8 hours
Fingerprints, photos, background check
Arraignment
24-48 hours
Judge sets bail amount
Bail Posted
1-4 hours
Paperwork signed
Release
2-6 hours
Property returned
Total: 12-48 Hours
Weekends and holidays take longer at Chatham County Detention Center.
FAQ
Chatham County uses a standard bond schedule for misdemeanor DUI, so most first-time defendants can bond out of the Chatham County Detention Center at 1050 Carl Griffin Drive without waiting for a judge. Aggravating factors change that: a high BAC, an accident, or a child in the car forces a bond hearing instead, and a defendant with two DUIs in five years or three in a lifetime gets flagged by the District Attorney for the DUI Court track, which can mean a SCRAM ankle monitor as a condition of release.
There are six ways to post bond here, and the surcharges vary. A full cash bond is face value plus a $20 fee, refundable at the end of the case. A bonding company charges a non-refundable 12 to 15% premium. Paying by credit card, Visa or Mastercard only, adds a 10% surcharge. A property bond requires Chatham County real estate with a clear title and an attorney title search, which makes it the slowest option. Bonds can also be posted online through cashbondonline.com with convenience fees, or from another county with that sheriff's approval.
Timing the bond matters. The detention center runs 12-hour shifts, and during the handover windows around 6 to 7 in the morning and evening, release processing slows to a crawl while headcounts are verified. Bond posted at 5:45 p.m. can mean a release after 8. The public lobby is also closed from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays and all weekend, so anyone posting a cash bond in person overnight or on a weekend has to use the Receiving and Discharge entrance or the kiosk without lobby staff to help.
A defendant who isn't bonded out, often because of a test refusal hold, has to see a magistrate within 48 to 96 hours. Those first appearance hearings run virtually on weekdays at 2 p.m.
Georgia's Senate Bill 63, effective July 2024, also ended signature-only release for more than 30 misdemeanor charges statewide, with a later failure to appear among them.
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