California Arrest and Booking Process

Taken to Jail When Someone is Arrested

When somone is arrested in California, they will be taken to a local law enforcement station for processing and booking. They may be taken to a local police department or sheriff's station where there is a holding facility or jail.

The California booking process can take a considerable amount of time, depending on the size of the jail and how busy the station may be. Sometimes booking is done within an hour, sometimes several hours. Generally, the larger the jail, the longer the booking process takes. For example, large county jails, like the Men's Central Jail or Santa Ana Jail, may take up to or in excess of 12 hours for processing an arrestee into the system. These two jails are particularly significant because arrestees in Los Angeles County and Orange County will likely be taken or transferred to these jails if they are not bailed out of smaller jails quickly. I provide bail bonds for all California jails including Santa Ana bail bonds and Men's Central Jail bail bonds.

Booking and Processing

The detainee will be searched for weapons, drugs and the like. Their personal belongings will be catalogued and retained by the jailer. During their time in jail the detainee will not have access to their money, credit cards, cell phones, etc.

The booking process consists of fingerprinting, background check, check for warrants and processing into the computer system. As you know computers are an integral part of our society. The local jurisdiction will have it's own computer system. There is also a nationwide criminal computer system that needs to be cross referanced and updated for each arrest.

When Someone in Jail Calls You

After fingerprints are taken, the arrestee is taken to a jail cell. The cell may or may not have a payphone for use. Some jails allow for phone calls before the person is brought to the cell, others will give phone access when it is convenient for the jailer. Inmates cannot receive phone calls or messages. If someone calls you from jail, please get as much information from them as possible. You will want to know what jail they are in, what they have been arrested for, if they want to be bailed out and if there are personal matters that need to be addressed for them, for example, children, pets, and job situations.

Jail Processing and Setting Bail

The work involved on the part of the jail staff to get the individual processed is considerable. The entire process can be time consuming and frustrating. Some jails, especially smaller jails, do this quickly and arrest processing is complete within an hour. Other jails take several hours. The busyness of the jail is also a large factor in determining the time required to process an arrestee. When someone is arrested on the weekend, at night or during turbulent times, booking can be expected to take longer.

During the booking process, bail will be set, if applicable. After the jailer has done this work, the computer systems need to update. A bail bond cannot be completed until physical and computer processing has been complete. After they have been booked, the defendant has several options for release.

After the individual has been booked, they may be released from jail on bail bond or otherwise or they may be held until arraignment if no bail is posted. Arraignment generally takes place within two business days. For example, someone arrested on Thursday night would generally be arraigned on the following Monday.

For more detailed California bail bond information, please visit my How the Bail Process Works page.

Call 24 hours a day for more information or California bail bonds service. Toll-free, nationwide 877-224-5266.

Tonya Page, Bail Bondsman & Owner

Tonya Page-Rynerson

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