Pre-arraignment bail for a Health and Safety Code 11350 possession charge varies significantly depending on the county and any enhancements. Stanislaus County sets it at a certain amount, while Kings County lists a lower amount for a misdemeanor. These are presumptive figures only: a judge can raise or lower them at arraignment.
TL;DR:
- Bail amounts for HS 11350 can vary from $5,000 to over $30,000 depending on the county, prior convictions, and case specifics.
- The posted bail schedule provides presumptive figures, but judges may raise or lower bail at arraignment based on safety, flight risk, and case details.
- Enhancements like prior convictions or large quantities can significantly increase bail, often requiring confirmation of exact charge codes and allegations.
- Verifying the correct bail amount involves checking county schedules, confirming with jail or court clerks, and considering whether any special allegations apply.
- Promptly contacting a bail agent with the full legal name, booking number, and charge details can facilitate faster release and appropriate bail posting.
Table of Contents
- What county bail schedules show: concrete examples and how to read them
- What HSC §11350 actually covers and how it relates to fines
- How judges set, raise, or lower bail at arraignment
- How arrest facts and enhancements change bail
- How to verify your county's HS 11350 bail and prepare for arraignment
- HS 11350 vs HS 11377 vs HS 11550: what the code numbers actually mean
- How Midnight Bail Bonds helps after an HS 11350 arrest
- Quick priorities after an HS 11350 booking
- Get fast help posting bail for an HS 11350 charge
- FAQ
- Sources
What county bail schedules show: concrete examples and how to read them
A county bail schedule is a published list that local courts use to set bail before a defendant's first court appearance. It assigns a dollar figure to each offense code, so jail staff can accept bail and release someone without waiting for a judge to act. Every county writes its own schedule, which is why the same charge carries different price tags depending on where the arrest happened.
For HS 11350, the spread is wide. Stanislaus County's bail schedule lists 11350(a) at $20,000, while Kings County's misdemeanor schedule sets the same code at $5,000. A separate uniform schedule used in some jurisdictions shows a higher amount when a prior conviction is alleged.
Reading a schedule row takes a little practice. Each entry typically includes:
- The offense code and a short description of the charge.
- The presumptive bail amount tied to that code.
- Enhancement rows that raise bail for priors, large quantities, or sale allegations.
Quantity and intent matter. The Stanislaus schedule, for example, contains a separate table with escalating bail values tied to quantity thresholds under related possession-for-sale code sections.
What HSC §11350 actually covers and how it relates to fines
California Health and Safety Code §11350 makes it unlawful to possess specified controlled substances, including certain opiates, cocaine, and similar drugs, without a valid prescription. The statute's text sets out the penalty framework courts use, including fines, and gives judges room to weigh a defendant's ability to pay when setting financial conditions.
Most first-time HS 11350 arrests are charged as misdemeanors under current California sentencing practice, though prior convictions or aggravating facts can push a case toward felony exposure. When that happens, the county's bail schedule usually lists a separate, higher row for the felony version of the same code, so the charge classification on the booking sheet directly shapes which bail figure applies.
How judges set, raise, or lower bail at arraignment
A bail schedule only sets the pre-arraignment number. Once a case reaches arraignment, the judge reviews it under Penal Code §1275, which directs courts to weigh public safety, the seriousness of the offense, the protection of any victim, and the defendant's risk of flight. Penal Code §1269b similarly guides how bail is administered between arrest and arraignment.
This is where the presumptive amount can move. A judge may:
- Lower bail or grant release on recognizance when the defendant poses little flight or safety risk.
- Raise bail above the schedule amount if prosecutors flag priors, a pattern of failures to appear, or added allegations.
- Impose non-financial release conditions instead of, or alongside, a bail amount.
Prosecutors or arresting officers can request a higher bail at arraignment, and defendants or their attorneys can push back with a reduction motion.
Pro Tip: Ask the court clerk whether your county allows an early, in-custody bail reduction request before the scheduled arraignment date; some courts process these faster than a full hearing would suggest.
How arrest facts and enhancements change bail
The number printed on a bail schedule is a starting point, not a guarantee. Quantity thresholds trigger separate, higher rows on many county schedules, and once the amount involved suggests distribution rather than personal use, the booking charge often shifts to HS 11351, possession for sale, which carries a steeper presumptive bail.
Prior convictions work the same way. A uniform schedule used in some counties lists $30,000 for 11350 when a prior conviction is alleged, well above the baseline figure for a first offense.
Before assuming you know the number that applies:
- Confirm the exact charge code printed on the booking paperwork, not just the general offense name.
- Check whether any special allegations, like quantity or priors, were added at booking.
- Ask whether the arrest also triggered a related code section, since that changes which schedule row controls.
How to verify your county's HS 11350 bail and prepare for arraignment
Confirming the real number takes a few targeted steps rather than guesswork.
- Locate your county superior court's current bail schedule PDF online and check its effective date, since schedules are revised periodically, including San Luis Obispo's 2026 schedule.
- Find the HS 11350 row and note whether any enhancement applies to the booked facts.
- Call the jail or court clerk directly with the booking number to confirm the actual bail set, since clerical entries sometimes differ from the published schedule.
- For arraignment, bring identification, proof of residence or employment if available, and be ready to answer questions about ties to the community.
- If the amount seems high for the circumstances, ask the clerk about filing a bail reduction motion or requesting OR release.
San Luis Obispo's 2026 schedule explicitly notes that published amounts are presumptive and that judges retain discretion to change them once a case reaches arraignment.
HS 11350 vs HS 11377 vs HS 11550: what the code numbers actually mean
HS 11350 covers possession of specified controlled substances such as opiates and cocaine. HS 11377 covers possession of other controlled substances, including certain methamphetamine-related offenses. HS 11550 covers being under the influence of a controlled substance rather than possessing one.
Because each code sits on its own row in a county bail schedule, the exact code written on your booking paperwork, not the general term "drug charge," determines which presumptive bail amount applies. Before contacting a bail agent or attorney, confirm which specific code section is listed on your charging documents.
How Midnight Bail Bonds helps after an HS 11350 arrest
Once we know the booking details, we move quickly. Our agents answer calls around the clock, and we offer bail bonds for drug charges alongside a free instant inmate search so families can confirm where a loved one is being held before making any payment decisions.
We write many bonds without requiring collateral, and we offer flexible payment plans for families working through an unexpected expense. Bilingual support is available.
Before calling, have ready:
- The full legal name and date of birth of the person in custody.
- The booking number and the county where the arrest occurred.
- The exact charge code listed on the booking sheet.
Pro Tip: Having the booking number ready before you call cuts significant time off the verification process, since it lets an agent confirm the bail amount directly with jail staff.
Quick priorities after an HS 11350 booking
Verify the exact charge code first, then check your county's current bail schedule rather than relying on a number from a different jurisdiction. Call a licensed bail agent or a drug charge defense attorney early, since priors or alleged quantities can move the number fast. Attend arraignment prepared: the schedule is only a starting figure, and the judge has the final say.
— Jake
Get fast help posting bail for an HS 11350 charge
We offer 24/7 bail bond services, including bonds for drug charges, with agents available day and night to start the release process as soon as you call.
To start, have the full name, date of birth, booking number, and county ready when you reach out. We offer payment plans, bilingual support, and bail options without collateral in many cases. Start your request now or call our team directly for immediate help.
This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a qualified lawyer. Consult a qualified legal professional about your own circumstances before acting on anything here.
FAQ
What does HS 11350(a) mean?
HS 11350(a) refers to the subsection of California's possession statute covering possession of specified controlled substances, such as certain opiates or cocaine, without a valid prescription. The exact subsection on your booking paperwork determines which bail schedule row applies.
How much do you have to pay for a $100,000 bail amount?
Posting the full amount directly to the court means paying the full bail in cash or approved assets. Working with a licensed bail agent typically requires paying a percentage of the total bail as a non-refundable premium rather than the full sum.
What is the difference between HS 11350 and HS 11377?
HS 11350 covers possession of specified controlled substances like opiates and cocaine, while HS 11377 covers possession of other substances, including certain methamphetamine-related offenses. Each code occupies its own row on a county bail schedule, so the specific code listed at booking controls which presumptive amount applies.
Is a $250,000 bail amount considered high?
Such a high bail amount is well above typical presumptive figures for a standalone HS 11350 charge, which commonly range from $5,000 to $30,000 depending on the county. A figure that high usually reflects added charges, alleged priors, or a judge's discretionary increase at arraignment under Penal Code §1275.
Sources
- Stanislaus County Superior Court — Final Bail Schedule (effective 01/01/26)
- California Health and Safety Code §11350 — LegInfo
- San Luis Obispo Superior Court — 2026 Bail Schedule (final)