24/7 MN Misdemeanor Bail
Minnesota Misdemeanor
Bail Bonds
A misdemeanor arrest in Minnesota can create questions about jail custody, court appearances, release conditions, and whether bail is required. GPS Bail Bonds provides 24/7 assistance to help families understand court-authorized surety bonds, payment requirements, and the next steps when someone needs help with an eligible misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor case.
- Available 24 Hours a Day
- Misdemeanor & Gross Misdemeanor Bond Assistance
- Serving Families Throughout Minnesota
- Not every misdemeanor requires a bail bond — many people are cited or released without one.
- Open 24/7Available 24/7
- MN StatewideServing Minnesota Statewide
24/7: (763) 288-2581
Inmate Assistance Request
Get Help With a Misdemeanor Bail Bond
Not sure where someone is being held? Tell us what you know. GPS Bail Bonds can help you identify the next steps for locating someone in custody and understanding their bail options.
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GPS Bail Bonds is available 24/7 to help Minnesota families understand their bail bond options.
Not sure if bail has been set or where someone is being held? Share what you know, and GPS can help you understand the next steps. You don't need to know whether the charge is a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor — and please don't include details of the allegation.
On this page
Misdemeanor Bail Bond Guide
Understanding the charge
What Is a Misdemeanor in Minnesota?
- Under Minnesota Statutes §609.02, a misdemeanor is a crime punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. It is the lowest level of crime — below gross misdemeanors and felonies.
- A misdemeanor case can begin with a citation or summons to appear in court, or with an arrest and booking at a county jail. Either way, the case is handled in Minnesota district court.
- Many people charged with a misdemeanor are released without monetary bail — on their own recognizance or on conditions under Minn. R. Crim. P. 6.02.
- Monetary bail may be set when someone is held, for example because of the alleged conduct, a missed court date, or other pending matters.
- The offense classification and the bail decision are separate. A misdemeanor charge does not automatically mean detention or a bail bond.
- GPS's role begins only when a court has set monetary bail that can be satisfied with a surety bond.
Statute information
Minnesota Misdemeanor Classifications Explained
Minnesota sorts offenses into petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors and felonies. The classification sets the maximum penalty — it does not set a bail amount. Courts decide release separately under Rule 6.02.
Minn. Stat. §609.02, subd. 4a
Petty Misdemeanor
- A petty offense prohibited by statute — legally not a crime
- Maximum fine of $300
- No jail sentence for the petty misdemeanor itself
- Classification
- Petty offense, not a crime under §609.02, subd. 1.
- Release considerations
- A separate warrant, another charge or a different court matter needs individual review — the petty offense alone usually does not.
A commercial bail bond is generally not needed for an ordinary petty misdemeanor citation.
Minn. Stat. §609.02, subd. 3
Misdemeanor
- Up to 90 days in jail
- Up to a $1,000 fine
- Both may be imposed when the statute allows
- Examples can include qualifying disorderly conduct, fifth-degree assault, low-level theft and fourth-degree DWI
- Classification
- Crime — the lowest criminal level.
- Release considerations
- The court may release without monetary bail or impose release conditions; maximum cash bail is capped by §629.471.
The same conduct can be charged at a higher level when prior convictions or aggravating facts apply.
Minn. Stat. §§609.02, 609.0341
Gross Misdemeanor
- More serious than a misdemeanor, below a felony
- Up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine, under §609.0341
- Examples can include repeat or aggravated misdemeanor-level offenses, second- and third-degree DWI, and certain small-amount fifth-degree drug possession
- Classification
- Crime that is neither a felony nor a misdemeanor (§609.02, subd. 4).
- Release considerations
- A gross misdemeanor does not automatically require a surety bond; cash bail is still capped by §629.471.
Confirm the actual charge from the complaint, citation or court record.
Minn. Stat. §609.02, subd. 2
Misdemeanor vs. Felony
- A felony is a crime for which imprisonment of one year or more may be imposed (§609.02, subd. 2)
- Felonies carry far higher potential penalties
- §629.471's misdemeanor cash-bail caps do not apply to felonies
- Classification
- Felony — the most serious classification.
Felony bail and release follow a different framework.
View Minnesota Felony Bail Bonds Guide
This is general information, not legal advice. Classifications were checked against the current Revisor text on 2026-10-12 and can change — confirm the actual charge in the court record, and speak with a criminal defense attorney about a specific case.
Bail limits
How Much Can Bail Be for a Misdemeanor in Minnesota?
Minnesota Statutes §629.471 sets the maximum cash bail a court may require for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor charges. It sets a ceiling — not the amount every defendant is charged, and not a bond premium.
General Rule: Double the Fine
- Subd. 1: maximum cash bail is twice the highest fine for the offense
- Applies unless subdivision 2 or 3 sets a different multiple
Quadruple the Fine
- Subd. 2: for §169A.20 (DWI), §169.09 (crash-related duties), §171.24, subd. 5 (driving after cancellation) and §609.525 (bringing stolen goods into Minnesota)
- Check the exact statute charged
Six Times the Fine
- Subd. 3: for fifth-degree assault (§609.224) and malicious punishment of a child (§609.377)
Ten Times the Fine
- Subd. 3a: for domestic assault (§609.2242), violating an order for protection (§518B.01) and violating a domestic abuse no-contact order (§629.75)
Repeat DWI Rule
- Subd. 2(b): with three or more prior impaired-driving convictions in ten years, the court must impose maximum bail unless it orders the §169A.44 release conditions
Felony DWI Excluded
- Subd. 4: §629.471 does not apply to felony DWI charges under §169A.20
Statutory Ceilings — Not Prices
Using Minnesota's general maximum fines ($1,000 misdemeanor, $3,000 gross misdemeanor), the formulas produce these cash-bail ceilings. A specific statute can set a different fine, and the court can set less or release without money.
§629.471, subd. 1
Double Fine
- Misdemeanor: up to $2,000
- Gross misdemeanor: up to $6,000
§629.471, subd. 2
Quadruple Fine
- Misdemeanor DWI: up to $4,000
- Gross misdemeanor DWI: up to $12,000
§629.471, subds. 3, 3a
Six & Ten Times Fine
- Fifth-degree assault: up to $6,000 (misd.) or $18,000 (gross misd.)
- Domestic assault or order violation: up to $10,000 (misd.) or $30,000 (gross misd.)
These are maximums, not typical amounts, GPS bond sizes, premiums or a promise of release. The court's order and the case circumstances decide the actual options.
Related guides: DWI, Assault and Domestic Assault bail bonds — see the links in the charge cards below. Verify current statutory language before relying on any figure.
Costs
How Much Does a Misdemeanor Bail Bond Cost in Minnesota?
If a court sets monetary bail and allows a surety bond, the premium is based on the surety's approved filed rate and Minnesota Statutes §60M.02. A low bail amount does not always mean a tiny premium — the $100 statutory minimum still applies.
Court-set bail amount
Set by the court for the individual case, within any §629.471 limit. GPS cannot set, lower or guarantee it.
Approved surety premium
Based on the surety's approved filed rate, with a $100 statutory minimum. Generally not refundable.
Minimum upfront collection
At least 50% of the premium on bonds of $10,000 or less, and at least 30% above $10,000, before posting.
Remaining premium obligations
Any permitted balance needs a signed promissory note and receipt, within the statute's time limits.
Collateral, if required
Depends on underwriting review; not every misdemeanor bond requires it.
Cosigner responsibilities
A cosigner may be responsible for the full bond amount if the defendant misses court.
Premium Percentages vs. Bail Amount
- The 50% and 30% minimums apply to the premium — not to the full bail amount.
- On small bonds, the $100 minimum premium can be a larger share of the bail than the filed rate alone.
- Cash bail: the full court-set amount is paid to the court and may be returned at the end of the case, subject to court rules.
- §60M.02 also includes provisions for alternative premium structures in qualifying circumstances.
Illustration only: any calculator percentage is a hypothetical example, not a GPS quote. GPS confirms the actual premium at its approved filed rate in writing before anything is signed.
Estimated cost breakdown
Enter a bail amount to begin
Use the court-set bond amount from the jail or court.
Estimates are for informational purposes only and are not a binding quote or financing offer. Actual premiums are based on the applicable approved surety rate. Payment arrangements depend on eligibility, underwriting, and Minnesota law. Call GPS Bail Bonds for a case-specific quote.
Calculator results are illustrations only — not a GPS quote. Your actual premium is confirmed by GPS before anything is signed.
Reviews
What Minnesota Families Say About GPS
Read customer feedback and see the latest rating on Google's listing.
Payment
Minnesota Misdemeanor Bail Bond Payment Options
Premiums must be charged at the surety's approved filed rate, and Minnesota Statutes §§60M.02 and 60M.03 set minimum rules for collecting premiums and handling collateral. A misdemeanor charge does not automatically qualify for a payment plan or a collateral-free bond.
Bonds of $10,000 or less
- At least 50% of the premium is collected before posting, with a receipt
- Any balance requires a signed promissory note and full payment within four months of posting
Bonds over $10,000
- At least 30% of the premium is collected before posting, with a receipt
- Any balance requires a signed promissory note and full payment within twelve months of posting
- These are legal minimums, not a promise of a payment plan. Eligibility depends on the bond, surety underwriting review and the cosigner.
- Minnesota sets a $100 minimum premium. Promissory notes must use an approved form; annual interest cannot exceed 6%.
- Collateral (§60M.03): any collateral accepted must be documented and receipted, and is returned after the bond is discharged, subject to outstanding obligations.
- Cosigners should read the indemnity agreement carefully. No-money-down, no-collateral arrangements, universal approval and fixed release times are not guaranteed.
Why GPS
Why Choose GPS for a Misdemeanor Bail Bond?
GPS Bail Bonds helps Minnesota families understand misdemeanor bail and bond requirements, day or night. GPS is not a law firm and cannot decide charges, bail amounts or release conditions.
Available 24 Hours a Day
- Calls answered nights, weekends and holidays
- Help when an arrest happens after hours
Help Understanding Misdemeanor Bail
- Whether bail was actually set
- What a bail amount or condition means
Minnesota Jail & Court Experience
- Familiar with Minnesota bail requirements
- Experience with county jail posting procedures
Clear Premium & Paperwork
- Premium, collateral and cosigner duties in plain language
- No hidden obligations
Authorized Surety Bond Assistance
- Whether a surety bond is authorized
- What underwriting may require
Statewide Minnesota Coverage
- Based in the Big Lake area
- Helping families across Minnesota counties
Bond availability
Does a Misdemeanor Require Bail in Minnesota?
Often, no. Many misdemeanor defendants receive a citation or summons, or are released without buying a bond. Under Rule 6.02 a court may release on personal recognizance or an unsecured bond, impose nonmonetary conditions, or set monetary bail. A surety bond matters only when the court has set money bail that a surety bond can satisfy — and the court's decision is separate from a surety's underwriting approval.
Was the person arrested or cited?
A citation or summons usually means no bail is needed — only a court appearance.
Is the defendant in custody?
Confirm with the jail roster or the facility.
Has monetary bail been set?
Confirm the actual court order and whether a financial condition was imposed.
Is a surety bond authorized?
Verify the form of bail the court order allows.
Are there conditions or other holds?
A separate warrant or hold can keep someone in custody even after bail is posted.
Can GPS and its surety approve the bond?
Commercial underwriting is separate from the court's decision.
Release decisions belong to the court. GPS's decision to write a bond is a separate business decision based on underwriting.
Common charges
Common Misdemeanor and Gross Misdemeanor Charges in Minnesota
These are frequent lower-level charges. The same conduct can be charged at a different level depending on the facts and prior convictions — confirm the charge in the court record.
Minn. Stat. §609.224
Fifth-Degree Assault
- Acting with intent to cause fear of immediate bodily harm, or intentionally inflicting or attempting bodily harm
- Basic offense is a misdemeanor
- Qualifying prior convictions can raise it to a gross misdemeanor or felony
Cash bail for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor charges is capped at six times the fine.
View Minnesota Assault Bail Bonds GuideMinn. Stat. §169A.27
Fourth-Degree DWI
- Impaired driving under §169A.20, subd. 1, with no aggravating factors
- Classified as a misdemeanor
- Other DWI degrees can be gross misdemeanors or felonies
Cash bail is capped at four times the fine; the repeat-offender maximum-bail rule may apply.
View Minnesota DWI Bail Bonds GuideMinn. Stat. §609.2242
Domestic Assault
- Assault against a family or household member
- Basic offense is a misdemeanor
- Qualifying prior convictions can make it a gross misdemeanor or felony
Courts may issue a domestic abuse no-contact order; posting bail does not lift it. Cash bail is capped at ten times the fine.
View Domestic Assault Bail Bonds GuideMinn. Stat. §609.72
Disorderly Conduct
- Brawling or fighting, or offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous or noisy conduct or language, knowing it will tend to alarm or disturb others
- Ordinarily a misdemeanor
- A caregiver acting against a vulnerable adult faces a gross-misdemeanor penalty (subd. 3)
The "disturbs an assembly or meeting" clause was held unconstitutional in State v. Hensel (2017).
Minn. Stat. §609.52
Low-Level Theft
- Generally a misdemeanor when the value is $500 or less
- Generally a gross misdemeanor when the value is over $500 up to $1,000
- Property type, the conduct and prior convictions can raise the level, even for small amounts
Value alone does not always decide the classification.
Minn. Stat. §152.025
Fifth-Degree Drug Possession
- A gross misdemeanor only with no prior drug conviction and under 0.25 g or one dosage unit (under 0.05 g for heroin)
- Other fifth-degree offenses are felonies
Not every fifth-degree drug charge is a lower-level offense.
View Drug Charge Bail Bonds GuideMinn. Stat. §§169A.25–169A.26
Gross Misdemeanor DWI
- Third degree: one aggravating factor, such as a qualifying prior or a 0.16+ test
- Second degree: two or more aggravating factors
- Both are gross misdemeanors
Release conditions under §169A.44 may apply.
View Minnesota DWI Bail Bonds GuideMinn. Stat. §609.02
Other Lower-Level Offenses
- Some traffic-related charges, obstruction, property damage and other conduct
- Each statute sets its own classification
- Many traffic violations are petty misdemeanors, not crimes
Check the specific statute and the court record.
Practical next steps
What Happens After a Misdemeanor Arrest in Minnesota?
Not every misdemeanor arrest results in continued custody — many people are cited or released. When someone is held, these practical steps help families find out where things stand.
Confirm defendant identity and arrest county
Get the full legal name, date of birth and the city or county of arrest.
Find out if they were cited, released or booked
A citation or release means no bail is needed right now — just the court date.
Locate the holding facility if applicable
Check the county's official jail roster or call the jail directly.
Confirm court date, bail and conditions
Ask whether a judge has set bail or conditions, and when the next hearing is.
Contact GPS if a surety bond is needed
Discuss whether a surety bond is allowed and what underwriting may require.
Follow court instructions and appearances
Attend every hearing and follow every release condition.
For families in Big Lake, Elk River and the rest of Sherburne County, see the Sherburne County bail bonds guide. GPS helps with misdemeanor bail bonds statewide.
The process
How Misdemeanor Bail Bonds Work in Minnesota
GPS's role begins when a court has set monetary bail and a commercial surety bond is being considered. Many misdemeanor defendants never need these steps.
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Be prepared
What to Have Ready When Calling About Misdemeanor Bail
You may not have all of these details — that's fine. Share what you know and GPS will help with the rest.
Defendant's Full Legal Name
As it would appear on booking records.
Date of Birth or Approximate Age
Helps confirm the right person on a roster.
County or City of Arrest
Tells us which jail is most likely holding them.
Jail or Booking Number, If Available
Helpful if you have it, but not required.
Court-Set Bail & Hearing Info, If Known
Any bail amount, hearing date or court you've been told about.
Your Contact Info & Relationship
So we can reach you and explain cosigner options.
FAQs
Misdemeanor Bail Bonds FAQs
Minnesota-specific answers to the questions families ask us most.
Not sure where someone is held? See our Sherburne County bail bonds guide.
Yes, when the court sets monetary bail and allows a surety bond. GPS and its surety must also approve the bond.
Service area
Minnesota Counties We Serve
GPS Bail Bonds is based in the Big Lake area and helps families with misdemeanor bail bonds across Minnesota, including these counties.
Sherburne County
Serving Big Lake, Elk River, Becker, Zimmerman, and surrounding Sherburne County communities.
Explore Sherburne County
Wright County
Bail bond assistance for Monticello, Albertville, Otsego, Buffalo, and communities throughout Wright County.
Explore Wright County
Stearns County
Helping families navigate bail bonds in St. Cloud, Sartell, Waite Park, and surrounding Stearns County communities.
Explore Stearns County
Anoka County
Helping families throughout Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, and neighboring communities understand their bail options.
Explore Anoka County
Hennepin County
Bail bond assistance for Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Bloomington, and other Hennepin County communities.
View Counties We Serve
Isanti County
Serving Cambridge, Isanti, and surrounding communities with Minnesota bail bond assistance.
Explore Isanti CountyCounty guides beyond Sherburne are coming soon. GPS helps families throughout Minnesota — reach out any time.
Need Help With a Minnesota Misdemeanor Bail Bond?
GPS Bail Bonds is available 24/7 to help Minnesota families understand eligible misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor bail bonds, payment requirements, and the next steps after an arrest.
- Offense definitions — §609.02 (opens an external site)
- Gross misdemeanor penalties — §609.0341 (opens an external site)
- Misdemeanor cash bail limits — §629.471 (opens an external site)
- Minn. R. Crim. P. 6 (opens an external site)
- Bail bond premiums — §60M.02 (opens an external site)
- Collateral — §60M.03 (opens an external site)
- Fifth-degree assault — §609.224 (opens an external site)
- Domestic assault — §609.2242 (opens an external site)
- Disorderly conduct — §609.72 (opens an external site)
- Theft — §609.52 (opens an external site)
- Fourth-degree DWI — §169A.27 (opens an external site)
- Third-degree DWI — §169A.26 (opens an external site)
- Second-degree DWI — §169A.25 (opens an external site)
- Fifth-degree controlled substance — §152.025 (opens an external site)
Sources checked October 12, 2026. Minnesota legal-content review pending. General information only — not legal advice. Consult a Minnesota attorney about your case.