Robertson County DUI Bail Information
Understanding bail amounts, the release process, and what happens after a DUI arrest in Robertson County.
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 - 20 Days
You have only 20 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 Robertson 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every DUI arrest in Robertson County, whether by the Highway Patrol, the Sheriff's Office, or Springfield police, is booked at the Robertson County Detention Facility at 311 5th Avenue East in Springfield, phone (615) 384-7974. Between the wait for breath or blood testing, fingerprinting, and a magistrate reviewing the case to set bond, expect 4 to 8 hours before anyone is released.
Bond for a first-offense DUI runs around $1,500, and a second offense $2,000 or more. Personal recognizance release, walking out on a promise to appear, is very unlikely for a DUI here. You can post the full bail amount in cash directly to the court clerk, which is held in escrow and returned at the end of the case minus administrative fees, or use a bondsman for a non-refundable 10 percent premium. You can find a licensed bail bondsman through this site's directory.
Two things slow releases down. First, the jail freezes all internal movement during shift-change headcounts, so a bondsman posting bond right before one will wait through the lockdown. Call the booking line and ask when the next one is. Second, if the case involved a blood draw instead of a breathalyzer, medical processing adds time, and if the person was combative or heavily intoxicated at intake, the magistrate review is held until they are calm.
Read the release conditions before you leave. A Robertson County magistrate often attaches conditions to a DUI bond, such as staying inside the county, avoiding any further contact with law enforcement, and keeping in touch with the bonding agency. Breaking a condition means the bond is revoked and you go back into custody.
If you drive to the jail to pick someone up, park only in the marked public lots around the county complex and mind the posted rules, because cars left in the wrong place near 311 5th Avenue East do get towed.