Richmond County DUI Bail Guide
Bail amounts, how bonds work, and what to expect when getting released from Richmond County jail in Augusta.
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 Richmond County Jail.
FAQ
Bonding out of a Richmond County DUI happens at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center at 1941 Phinizy Road, which is nowhere near the downtown Sheriff's administration building on Walton Way. Families who drive downtown to post bond get redirected 15 to 20 minutes south to Phinizy Road. All bonding is handled at the jail's Visitor Center; booking runs 24/7.
Before any of that, there's a sobriety hold. The jail won't release an intoxicated person, which in practice means roughly 8 hours or a breath test reading 0.00, regardless of when someone shows up with cash. On top of that, jail releases stop during shift changes around 6 and 7 in the morning and evening while headcounts are verified, which adds 2 to 4 hours. A bond posted at 6 p.m. often turns into a 9 p.m. release.
There are three ways to pay. A cash bond covers the full amount set by the magistrate, by cash, money order, cashier's check, or the county's online system. Getting that money back isn't automatic; after the case ends the person who paid has to contact the Clerk's office to start the refund, which can take months. A bonding company posts the full amount for a non-refundable 12 to 15%, and the value there is speed and liquidity, since most people can't produce $5,000 cash for an aggravated DUI on short notice. A property bond backed by Richmond County real estate takes more than a day to process because of the deed and lien checks, so it's really only used for high-bond felony cases.
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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