Theft & Shoplifting Bail Amounts in California: Petty, Grand, Burglary & Robbery

Theft & Shoplifting Bail Amounts in California: Petty, Grand, Burglary & Robbery

“Theft” in California is not one charge — it’s a ladder. At the bottom is a shoplifting citation that may not require any bail at all. At the top is robbery, a violent felony that can carry bail in the hundreds of thousands. Where a case lands on that ladder almost always comes down to one number: $950. This guide walks through each rung and what bail typically looks like.

Bail is set by the county bail schedule first, then confirmed or adjusted at arraignment. A bail bond runs a premium of about 10% of the full amount — you can estimate yours with our California bail cost calculator.

The $950 line that decides everything

Since Proposition 47, the value of the property taken is the dividing line between a misdemeanor and a felony for most theft offenses. Take property worth $950 or less and it’s generally a misdemeanor. Cross $950 and it can be charged as grand theft, a “wobbler” that prosecutors can file as either a misdemeanor or a felony. That single threshold drives most of the difference in bail.

The theft ladder and typical bail

Petty theft (Penal Code 484/488, $950 or less) — a misdemeanor. Frequently cite-and-release or low bail.
Shoplifting (PC 459.5, entering a business intending to steal $950 or less) — a misdemeanor, treated similarly to petty theft on the bail schedule.
Grand theft (PC 487, over $950) — a wobbler. As a felony, bail commonly runs in the tens of thousands.
Burglary, second degree (PC 459, commercial) — a felony, with bail typically higher than grand theft.
Burglary, first degree (PC 459, residential) — a serious felony that carries notably higher bail because someone’s home was entered.
Robbery (PC 211, taking by force or fear) — a violent felony. Bail is high and can climb steeply with weapon or injury allegations.
Organized retail theft (PC 490.4) — a newer charge aimed at coordinated retail crews, charged as a felony in many cases.

County schedules differ — Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino each publish their own — so treat these as typical ranges, not fixed prices. To get the actual number, have a licensed bondsman pull the booking record after you locate the person.

What raises theft bail

Value of the property. The higher above $950, the higher the exposure and the bail.
Force or fear. The moment a theft involves a threat, a weapon, or injury, it moves toward robbery and the bail jumps.
Residential vs. commercial. Entering a home (first-degree burglary) is treated far more seriously than entering a store.
Priors. Certain theft priors can elevate a new misdemeanor to a felony and raise bail under PC 666.
Coordination. Organized or repeat retail-theft allegations are charged aggressively and bail reflects it.

Can theft bail be reduced?

Often, yes — especially for first-time, lower-value cases. At arraignment, usually within 48 hours of arrest (see our arraignment guide), an attorney can argue for release on the defendant’s own recognizance or a reduced amount based on clean record, employment, and community ties. Many petty-theft and shoplifting cases resolve without any bail being posted at all.

How a bail bond works for a theft charge

If bail is set and you can’t pay it in full, a licensed bondsman posts it for a premium of roughly 10%. On a $20,000 grand-theft bail, that’s about $2,000, and a payment plan can split it up. See how a $500 down bail bond gets things moving in LA County, and read the full mechanics in our how does bail work guide. Before you sign, know what a cosigner takes on in our cosigner guide.

Step-by-step if a loved one was arrested for theft

Locate them and get the booking number with the inmate locator.
Call a licensed bondsman to confirm the charge level, the bail amount, and any hold.
Get representation for any felony-level theft, burglary, or robbery before arraignment.
Arrange the bond with a cosigner and the premium or a payment plan.
Post and go. Release timing depends on the jail — see how long it takes to get out.

Theft, burglary, or robbery arrest in California? Let’s find the real bail and get them home. Call 800.590.7321 or message 626.862.0627 any time.

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24-hour California bail bonds — anywhere in the state. Call 800.590.7321 or send us a message.

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