The San Diego Superior Court is operating on a limited basis. While most business is handled on-line through electronic filing and on Microsoft Teams, the lobby of each courthouse is open for limited walk-up service. For more information, click on the link: San Diego Court COVID19 information.
Criminal court proceedings are now live-streamed on YouTube. The public is welcome to listen. Please click on the link to see the livestream options: Criminal Court livestream.
How Does Bail Work
Bail is a cash guarantee that a defendant will appear in court. Typically the Sheriff's Office sets bail. A court can change the bail amount, and usually listens the request at the first court appearance. If a person posts the full bail amount directly with the court, they will eventually get that money back when the case is over.
A bail bond agent typically charges anywhere from 7% to 10% of the total bail amount. If a person uses a bail bond agent, the amount paid to the bail agent is not refundable. That is the bail fee. When the case is over the bail agent keeps the bail fee.