If you or someone you love just got arrested for a misdemeanor in North Carolina, the last thing you want to do is sit around waiting to figure out how bail works. Misdemeanor bail bonds are usually faster and more affordable to secure than felony bonds, but the amounts and process still vary depending on the charge. In this guide, we’re breaking down what you’re dealing with, what it’ll cost, and how Around The Clock Bail Bonds can help you get your loved one home.
What Are Misdemeanor Bail Bonds?
A misdemeanor bail bond is a financial guarantee that lets someone who was charged with a lower-level offense stay out of jail while their case moves through the court system. Rather than paying the full bail amount in cash, you work with a licensed bail bonds company like Around The Clock Bail Bonds, who posts the bond on the defendant’s behalf for a percentage-based fee. This is especially useful if you’re facing a bail amount you can’t pay in full but still need to get your loved one out quickly. North Carolina classifies misdemeanors into four levels, Class A1, 1, 2, and 3, with Class A1 being the most serious [1] [2]. The class assigned to the charge plays a major role in how much bail a magistrate sets and how quickly you can expect release for yourself or your loved one.
How Misdemeanor Bail Bonds Work
Every case is a little different, but most misdemeanor bail bonds in North Carolina follow the same basic steps from arrest to release.
Confirm Booking Information
Before anything else, you’ll need to contact the detention center where your loved one is being held to confirm their booking status, the bond amount, and the bond number. This step is required before any bond can be posted, and many North Carolina facilities also offer online inmate search tools to make it easier. Having this information ready speeds up the next steps.
Contact Around The Clock Bail Bonds
Once you have the booking details, call our team, we’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We’ll explain the bond terms clearly, answer any questions you have, and walk you through the options available for your specific charge and county. This is also when we’ll begin preparing the paperwork needed to secure inmate release.
Bond Is Posted
After the paperwork is completed and approved, we submit the bond to the detention facility so the release process can begin. For the majority of misdemeanor charges, this step moves quickly since the amounts involved are much lower than felony bonds.
Release From Jail
Release times will vary depending on the facility, staffing levels, and booking volume at the time. In many cases, release happens within a few hours of the bond being posted. It can be a lot to keep track of, but don’t worry, we stay in communication with you throughout so you’re never left guessing about what’s happening.
Review Court Requirements
Once your loved one is released, we review upcoming court dates, bond conditions, and other responsibilities they’ll need to meet. Understanding these requirements upfront helps avoid complications, like a missed court date, that could put the bond at risk later.
Misdemeanor Bail Bond Amounts in North Carolina
Bail amounts for misdemeanors in North Carolina generally scale up or down with the severity of the offense class. Here’s what you can expect at each level.
Class 3 Misdemeanor: $100 to $250
Class 3 is the lowest misdemeanor class in North Carolina, and it’s common for a magistrate to release someone on a written promise to appear with no cash required at all [1]. When the bail is set, it’s typically low, in the $100 to $250 range. Offenses at this level include things like minor shoplifting, simple possession of small amounts of marijuana (usually half an ounce or less), or first-offense worthless checks.
Class 2 & Class 1 Misdemeanor: $500 to $2,500
Class 2 and class 1 misdemeanors carry more weight than a Class 3, and bail typically reflects that with amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500. Simple assault and shoplifting charges are common at this level, along with offenses like reckless driving or unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon [2]. If you’re dealing with a charge in this range, you can expect the magistrate to weigh prior record and flight risk more heavily than they would for a Class 3.
Class A1 Misdemeanor: $500 to $10,000+
Class A1 is the most serious misdemeanor class under North Carolina law, carrying up to 150 days in jail [1][2]. Because of that severity, bail can run anywhere from $500 up into the five figures depending on the specific charge and the defendant’s history. Assault on a female, along with other higher-level assault or child abuse related offenses, commonly falls into this class, so if you’re facing an A1 charge, it’s worth talking to a bondsman about your options right away.
Misdemeanor Bail Bondsman Costs in North Carolina
Once bail is set, you don’t have to pay it in full to get your loved one released. Around The Clock Bail Bonds posts the bond on your behalf for a state-regulated fee, and here’s what you need to know about how that cost works.
- Fee Cap: North Carolina law caps bail bondsman fees at a maximum of 15% of the total bond amount, so you’re never left guessing whether a bondsman’s rate is fair [3].
- Non-Refundable: This premium is paid to your licensed agent, like Around The Clock Bail Bonds, and it is not returned at the end of the case, regardless of the outcome.
- Example: A $2,000 misdemeanor bond will cost around $300 in non-refundable fees through a bondsman, which is significantly more manageable than paying the full $2,000 in cash.
This fee structure is exactly why so many families choose to work with a bondsman instead of trying to come up with the full bail amount on their own. If you’re not sure what your bond might cost, our team can walk you through the numbers before you commit to anything.
Choosing A Misdemeanor Bail Bondsman
Not every bail bondsman operates the same way, so it’s worth knowing what to look for before you make a call.
24/7 Availability
Arrests don’t happen on a schedule, and neither should your access to help. Look for a bondsman who answers around the clock, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Around The Clock Bail Bonds is available 24/7 , 365 days a year, so you’re never stuck waiting until regular business hours to start the release process.
Local Knowledge of Your County
A bondsman familiar with your county’s jail procedures, magistrate schedules, and court requirements can move faster and avoid unnecessary delays. This matters even more for misdemeanor cases, where speed often makes the biggest difference in how quickly your loved one gets home.
Transparent, State-Regulated Fees
Since North Carolina caps bondsman fees at 15% of the bond amount, you shouldn’t have to deal with a bondsman who’s vague about pricing or tries to charge more than what’s legally allowed [3]. A trustworthy bondsman will explain the premium and any payment plan options clearly before you sign anything.
Confidential, Non-Judgmental Service
Getting arrested, even for a lower-level misdemeanor, is stressful enough without feeling judged by the person you’re calling for help. Choose a bondsman who treats your situation with discretion and respect from the first phone call through release.
Call Around The Clock Bail Bonds for Help With Your Misdemeanor Bond
Around The Clock Bail Bonds proudly serves families across Guilford County, Forsyth County, Alamance County, Rockingham County, and Caswell County. Whatever your misdemeanor charge, our team is available 24/7 to help you understand your options and get your loved one home.
FAQs
Can you go to jail for a misdemeanor in North Carolina?
Yes, misdemeanor convictions in North Carolina can result in jail time, with sentences ranging from a fine-only outcome for many Class 3 misdemeanors up to 150 days for a Class A1 misdemeanor [1][2]. Whether someone actually serves time depends on the offense class, prior record, and the judge’s sentencing decision.
How much of a bond do you have to pay in NC?
Through a licensed bail bondsman, you’ll typically pay a premium of up to 15% of the total bond amount, since that’s the maximum fee allowed under North Carolina law [3]. So if bail is set at $2,000, you could pay around $300 instead of the full amount.
How much is bail on a $10,000 bond?
If you’re working with a bail bondsman, the maximum premium on a $10,000 bond would be $1,500, based on North Carolina’s 15% fee cap [3]. If you were to pay a cash bond directly to the court instead, you’d need to come up with the full $10,000.
What happens if you get a misdemeanor while on bond?
Picking up a new misdemeanor charge while already out on bond can violate the conditions of your release and may result in your existing bond being revoked. It can also make it harder, and more expensive, to secure a new bond, since bondsmen weigh new charges as an increased flight or forfeiture risk.
References
[1] North Carolina General Assembly. (n.d.). N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-3: Punishment of misdemeanors, infamous offenses. https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-3.pdf [2] UNC School of Government. (n.d.). North Carolina Crimes: Chapter 4, Punishment Under Structured Sentencing – Misdemeanors. https://crimes.sog.unc.edu/north-carolina-crimes/chapter-4-punishment-under-structured-sentencing/misdemeanors [3] North Carolina General Assembly. (n.d.). N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-71-95: Prohibited practices. https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_58/GS_58-71-95.pdf