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Criminal & Civil — All 50 States

Criminal & Civil Law Cost Calculators

Criminal fines, bail amounts, and civil claim limits vary dramatically by state. Our calculators use verified statutory data so you know the real numbers before you step into a courtroom or post bail.

Quick Answer

Criminal fines range from $100 for minor misdemeanors to $250,000 or more for serious felonies depending on state and offense class. Bail for first-offense misdemeanors typically runs $500 to $5,000. Small claims court limits range from $2,500 to $25,000 by state. Statute of limitations for civil claims is 2 to 6 years in most states.

Verified statutory data
All 50 states
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4 Criminal & Civil Calculators
Criminal Fine
By charge class & state
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Bail Amount
Bail & bondsman cost
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Small Claims
Limits & filing fees by state
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Statute of Limitations
Deadlines by claim & state
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All Calculators

Criminal & Civil Cost Tools

Each calculator uses verified statutory data for your state. Enter your charge class, claim amount, or case type to get an instant cost estimate.

Criminal Fine Calculator

Estimate criminal fines by charge class (infraction, Class C/B/A misdemeanor, Class D/C/B/A felony) and state. Includes mandatory court costs, surcharges, and assessment fees that often double the base fine. Covers all 50 states with current statutory fine schedules updated for 2026.
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Bail Amount Calculator

Estimate bail amount by charge and state using typical bail schedule ranges. Shows full bail amount, 10% bondsman fee (non-refundable), and collateral typically required. Covers misdemeanor bail ($500-$5,000), non-violent felony bail ($5,000-$50,000), and violent felony bail ($25,000-$250,000+).
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Small Claims Court Calculator

Find the small claims court limit in your state, estimate filing fees, and calculate whether your claim qualifies. Limits range from $2,500 in Kentucky to $25,000 in Tennessee and Delaware. Includes service of process costs and whether attorneys are permitted in your state's small claims court.
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Statute of Limitations Checker

Look up the filing deadline for your civil claim by state and claim type: personal injury, contract breach, property damage, fraud, medical malpractice, and defamation. Includes discovery rule exceptions, tolling provisions for minors, and government entity notice requirements. Missing the deadline permanently bars your claim.
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Criminal Fines & Civil Claims — What You Need to Know

Criminal fines in the US are rarely just the number printed on the statute. A misdemeanor with a statutory maximum fine of $1,000 often costs $2,000 to $3,000 once mandatory court costs, state surcharges, and assessment fees are added. In California, the state penalty assessment alone adds $26 for every $10 of base fine — meaning a $200 base fine becomes $720 before any other additions. These calculators show the total cost, not just the base fine.

Bail is similarly misunderstood. Most people focus on the bail amount, but the true cost is the bondsman fee — typically 10 percent of the bail amount, non-refundable, regardless of outcome. If a judge sets $50,000 bail, you pay a bondsman $5,000 and never get it back even if charges are dropped. Some states have eliminated cash bail for most offenses; others maintain strict bail schedules. Knowing your state's likely bail range before a family member is arrested changes how you plan.

For civil disputes, small claims court is one of the most underused legal tools available to ordinary people. Most states allow claims up to $10,000 with filing fees under $100, no attorney required, and a hearing within 30 to 70 days of filing. The main limitation is the cap — if your damages exceed the limit, you must either sue in a higher court (with all its costs) or waive the excess. Knowing your state's exact limit before you file is essential. Learn how we verify our data.

Before hiring a criminal defense attorney or filing a civil claim, understanding the statutory framework for your situation gives you a significant advantage. Knowing whether your misdemeanor carries a maximum $500 or $5,000 fine changes your defense strategy. These calculators give you that number in 30 seconds, for free.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a criminal fine for a misdemeanor?+
Misdemeanor fines vary widely by state and offense class. Class A misdemeanors (the most serious) carry fines of $1,000 to $5,000 in most states. Class B misdemeanors typically carry $500 to $2,000. Class C misdemeanors run $100 to $500. These are statutory maximums — judges have discretion to impose less. Court costs, fees, and surcharges often add $200 to $500 on top of the base fine.
How is bail amount calculated?+
Bail is set by a judge based on the offense severity, criminal history, flight risk, and community ties. Many jurisdictions use bail schedules: predetermined amounts by charge. First-offense misdemeanor bail typically runs $500 to $5,000. Non-violent felony bail ranges from $5,000 to $50,000. Violent felony bail runs $25,000 to $250,000 or higher. A bail bondsman charges 10 percent of the bail amount as a non-refundable fee.
What is the small claims court limit in my state?+
Small claims court limits vary by state from $2,500 in Kentucky to $25,000 in Tennessee and Delaware. Most states set limits between $5,000 and $10,000. California allows $10,000 for individuals. New York has a $5,000 limit in City Court and $3,000 in Town and Village courts. You cannot recover more than the limit in small claims court even if your actual damages are higher.
What is the statute of limitations for a civil lawsuit?+
Civil statute of limitations vary by claim type and state. Contract claims: 3 to 6 years in most states. Personal injury: 1 to 6 years (2-3 years is most common). Property damage: 2 to 6 years. Fraud: 2 to 6 years. The clock typically starts when the harm occurred or when you discovered the harm.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims court?+
Most small claims courts are designed for self-represented litigants. Some states actually prohibit attorneys in small claims court. You will need to file your claim, serve the defendant, gather evidence, and present your case clearly. For straightforward disputes under the limit — unpaid rent, property damage, contractor disputes — small claims is often the most efficient path without legal representation.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?+
Felonies are more serious crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes punishable by up to one year in county jail. Felony convictions carry additional consequences: loss of voting rights (in many states), loss of the right to own firearms, deportation risk for non-citizens, and difficulty obtaining employment or housing.
Can a criminal record be expunged?+
Expungement eligibility depends on your state, the offense, and time since conviction. Most states allow expungement of first-offense misdemeanors after a waiting period of 1 to 5 years with no subsequent convictions. Some states allow expungement of non-violent felonies. California, Illinois, and several other states have automatic expungement programs for eligible offenses. Expungement seals the record from most background checks but not from law enforcement.
How do I file a small claims lawsuit?+
To file a small claims lawsuit: identify the correct court (usually in the defendant's county), fill out the plaintiff's claim form, pay the filing fee ($30 to $100 in most states), and serve the defendant through the court's process. Bring all evidence on the court date: contracts, invoices, photos, receipts, and communications. Judges in small claims court are informal and practical — state your facts clearly with specific dollar amounts.
What happens if I cannot pay a criminal fine?+
Courts have several options when defendants cannot pay fines: payment plans, community service in lieu of payment, fine reduction based on financial hardship, or in rare cases jail time for willful non-payment. You must proactively contact the court before the payment deadline. Ignoring a fine leads to additional fees, license suspension, a bench warrant, and potentially jail. Courts are generally willing to work with defendants who demonstrate genuine inability to pay.
What is bail forfeiture and how does it work?+
Bail forfeiture occurs when a defendant fails to appear in court after being released on bail. The court issues a bench warrant and declares the bail amount forfeited. If you used a bail bondsman, the bondsman has a grace period (typically 90 to 180 days depending on state) to locate and return the defendant before forfeiting the full bond amount. If you posted cash bail directly, the court keeps the full amount.
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