Cherokee County DUI Bail Guide
Bail amounts, how bonds work, and what to expect when getting released from Cherokee County jail in Canton.
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
First Appearance
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
First Appearance
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 Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.
FAQ
A DUI arrest in Cherokee County goes to the Adult Detention Center at 498 Chattin Drive in Canton, and there are three ways out. A cash bond covers the full face value, but the Sheriff's Office does not make change, so a family arriving with $1,600 in twenties for a $1,520 bond gets turned away to find exact bills. The county's online payment option through Allpay adds a $10 automation fee plus 5% on top, which comes to $110 in non-refundable charges on a $2,000 bond. Whatever's paid as principal only comes back at the end of the case, often 12 to 24 months out.
A property bond takes a warranty deed, a paid tax statement, and a current mortgage statement, and puts a physical lien on the property. If the property sits in another county, that county's sheriff has to process an approved property bond first, seal it in an envelope, and it has to be hand-carried to the Cherokee jail, all during business hours.
The third path is a bonding company, which charges a non-refundable 12 to 15% and is the usual route for a DUI. Only companies specifically licensed in Cherokee County can post here.
If a bond isn't preset by a schedule, which happens with aggravated circumstances or prior offenses, the defendant has to see a judge within 48 hours. A late Friday arrest can mean the weekend in custody waiting for a magistrate.
Two logistics catch families off guard. Jail releases pause during shift changes around 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. for headcounts, adding an hour or two to a bond posted near those windows. And retrieving the defendant's keys and wallet, which the tow lot needs, requires the inmate to sign a property release inside their housing unit, with pickup only Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Someone bonded out Friday night whose keys are still in property can't get them until Monday.
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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