Berkeley City Jail

Arrested in Berkeley? Act fast. We can secure release before they are transferred to the slow County Jail system.
Warning: Inmates at Berkeley Jail are held temporarily. If not bailed out quickly, they are transferred to County Jail, extending release time by 24+ hours.

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Accepting Bail

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If someone you care about has been arrested and is being held at Berkeley City Jail, Big Boy Bail Bonds is available right now to help. Call us at Speak to a Bondsman Now and we will begin working on the release immediately. Big Boy Bail Bonds is licensed statewide and serves Berkeley and the greater Alameda County area — call us any time and we will coordinate directly with the facility.

About Berkeley City Jail

Booking Inquiries(510) 981-5900
Arraignment Court
Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse
661 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607

Berkeley arrests are arraigned at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland. Felony arraignments occur within 48 hours.

How the Bail Process Works at Berkeley City Jail

  1. 1Arrest & Transport — Officers transport to Berkeley City Jail, typically 30–90 minutes after arrest.
  2. 2Booking — Fingerprinting, photograph, property inventory. Bail assigned per the Alameda County schedule or held for a judge. Takes 1–3 hours.
  3. 3Call Us — Once bail is set (or even before), call Big Boy Bail Bonds at Speak to a Bondsman Now. We verify the amount, explain your cost, and begin paperwork immediately.
  4. 4Bond Posted — We deliver the bail bond to Berkeley City Jail electronically or in person within 30–60 minutes of signed paperwork.
  5. 5Release — Berkeley City Jail typically processes releases in 2–8 hours after the bond is accepted. We notify you the moment your loved one is out.

Common Bail Amounts in Alameda County

The following amounts are based on the Alameda County bail schedule. A judge may adjust these at arraignment.

Charge Typical Bail Bond Cost (10%)
DUI (first offense) $5,000 $500
Domestic violence (misd.) $15,000 $1,500
Drug possession (felony) $20,000–$30,000 $2,000–$3,000
Petty theft / shoplifting $2,500–$5,000 $250–$500
Assault (felony) $50,000–$150,000 $5,000–$15,000
Grand theft (felony) $25,000–$50,000 $2,500–$5,000

All California bail bond premiums are state-regulated at 10% of the bail amount.

Frequently Asked Questions — Berkeley Bail Bonds

Q1. How do I bail someone out of Berkeley City Jail?
Call Big Boy Bail Bonds at (714) 671-8920 any time — we’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us the full name of the arrested person and we’ll look up their booking status, bail amount, and walk you through every step. We can begin paperwork remotely so your loved one is released as fast as possible.
Q2. How long does it take to get someone released from Berkeley City Jail?
Berkeley City Jail typically processes releases in 2 to 6 hours once the bail bond is posted. Release times can vary based on facility volume. We monitor the process and keep you updated throughout.
Q3. How much does a bail bond cost in Berkeley?
California law sets the bail bond premium at 10% of the total bail amount — this rate is state-regulated and is the same for every licensed bail bondsman in California. For example, if bail is set at $20,000, the bond costs $2,000. We also offer flexible payment plans if you can’t pay the full premium upfront.
Q4. Does Big Boy Bail Bonds serve Berkeley and nearby areas?
Yes — Big Boy Bail Bonds serves Berkeley and Albany, Emeryville, El Cerrito, and Oakland. We are fully licensed throughout California and available 24/7.
Q5. What information do I need to start the bail bond process?
You need: the full legal name of the person arrested, the jail they’re held at (Berkeley City Jail), and the bail amount if you know it. A booking number is helpful but not required — we can look it up. Call (714) 671-8920 and we’ll handle the rest.
Q6. What court handles cases from Berkeley City Jail?
Cases from Berkeley City Jail are arraigned at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, located at 661 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607. Berkeley arrests are arraigned at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland. Felony arraignments occur within 48 hours. Bail can be posted at any time before the arraignment — call Big Boy Bail Bonds at Speak to a Bondsman Now to start immediately.
Q7. What are common bail amounts in Alameda County?
Alameda County uses a countywide bail schedule. Common amounts include: DUI first offense ($5,000), domestic violence misdemeanor ($10,000–$15,000), felony drug possession ($10,000–$25,000), and felony assault ($50,000–$100,000). A judge can raise or lower these at arraignment. Your bond costs 10% of whatever amount is set.
Q8. How do I find out if someone was arrested at Berkeley City Jail?
Search using the person’s full legal name and date of birth at the Alameda County Sheriff Inmate Search. You can also call Berkeley City Jail directly at (510) 981-5900. Big Boy Bail Bonds can run this lookup for you at no charge — call Speak to a Bondsman Now any time.
Q9. Does Big Boy Bail Bonds offer payment plans in Berkeley?
Yes. We offer flexible payment arrangements for clients in Berkeley who cannot pay the full 10% premium upfront. A qualifying down payment secures the bond immediately and the remainder is paid over an agreed schedule. Call Speak to a Bondsman Now to discuss.
Q10. What happens if someone misses a court date after being released on bail in Berkeley?
When a defendant fails to appear, Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse issues a bench warrant and the bail bond is forfeited. Call us immediately at Speak to a Bondsman Now. In many cases we can help arrange a bail reinstatement if the defendant surrenders promptly.

Why Choose Big Boy Bail Bonds for Berkeley?

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CA Licensed
License #1844792
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185+ Google Reviews
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24/7 Available
Including holidays
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15+ Years
Serving CA

Cities We Serve Near Berkeley

In addition to Berkeley, Big Boy Bail Bonds serves clients throughout Alameda County.
Nearby areas include Oakland Bail Bonds, Alameda County Bail Bonds and all surrounding communities.
See our full locations page or call Speak to a Bondsman Now — we cover the entire region 24/7.

Someone You Love Has Been Arrested

Do not wait. Every hour matters. Call Big Boy Bail Bonds right now — available 24/7.

Speak to a Bondsman Now

Licensed California Bail Bondsman · License #1844792 · Available 24/7/365

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24/7 Bail Bond Services in Berkeley

When a loved one is arrested in Berkeley, time is of the essence. The Berkeley Police Department acts as a temporary holding facility. Our local agents are stationed nearby to ensure the fastest possible release, often preventing a transfer to the larger, slower County Jail system.

Common Charges We Handle in Berkeley

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