When a loved one is arrested in California, your first priority is getting them home. The jail release process can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially if you have never dealt with the criminal justice system before. The good news is that under Article I, Section 12 of the California Constitution, most people arrested in California have a right to bail and can be released before trial. What matters is knowing your options and acting quickly.
At My Rights Law, we help families get their loved ones out of jail as fast as possible. Our attorneys can visit your loved one in custody through immediate confidential jail visits, fight for reduced bail or release without bail at the arraignment, and even intervene with the District Attorney before charges are filed. Call us at (888) 702-8845 for a free, confidential consultation. We are available 24/7.
Schedule an Immediate Jail Visit Now
The first thing you need to do is confirm where your loved one is in custody. After an arrest, the person is transported to a local police station or county jail for booking. Booking can take 2 to 12 hours, and your loved one may not appear in the online inmate locator until booking is complete.
Use the county sheriff's online inmate locator to search by name or date of birth:
If your loved one does not appear in the system yet, they may still be in the booking process. Wait a few hours and search again. You can also call the arresting agency or the jail directly. For a detailed guide with facility addresses, phone numbers, and city-by-city lookup information, see our page on How to Find Someone in Jail in California.
Once booking is complete, bail will be set according to the county bail schedule based on the charges, as required by California Penal Code Section 1269b. The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits excessive bail, and the U.S. Supreme Court established in Stack v. Boyle (1951) that bail set higher than reasonably necessary to ensure the defendant's court appearance is constitutionally excessive. The bail amount is usually listed in the online inmate locator alongside the person's name, charges, and booking information. You can also call the jail's inmate information line to ask.
Bail amounts in California vary by county and by the severity of the charges. For example, a misdemeanor DUI might carry bail of $5,000 to $15,000, while a serious felony could carry bail of $100,000 or more. For a complete breakdown of bail types, typical amounts, and how to get bail reduced, see our page on How Bail Works in California.
There are several ways to post bail and secure your loved one's release:
Cash bail. Pay the full bail amount directly to the jail. This can be done with cash, cashier's check, or money order. The full amount is returned at the end of the case (minus any court fees or fines) as long as the defendant appears at all court dates. This option requires having the full amount available upfront.
Bail bond. Pay a licensed bail bondsman a non-refundable premium of 10% of the total bail amount (the premium rate is set by California Insurance Code Sections 1800-1822), and the bondsman posts the full bail on your behalf. For example, if bail is $50,000, you pay $5,000 to the bondsman. This is the most common method because it requires far less cash upfront. The bondsman may require collateral such as property, vehicles, or other assets. Many bail bond companies offer payment plans.
Property bond. Use real property (such as a home) as collateral for the bail amount. The property must have equity equal to at least 150% of the bail amount. Property bonds take longer to process because the court must verify ownership and equity.
Own recognizance (OR) release. Under California Penal Code Section 1270, the defendant is released without posting bail, based on a written promise to appear at all court dates. OR release is typically granted for lower-level offenses where the defendant has strong community ties and is not a flight risk. A defense attorney can argue for OR release at the arraignment hearing.
Bail can be posted 24 hours a day at the jail where the person is being held. If you are posting cash bail, bring the exact amount in an accepted form of payment to the jail's cashier window. If you are using a bail bondsman, the bondsman will handle the posting process after you pay the premium and sign the required paperwork.
Here is where to post bail at the major jail facilities in Southern California:
Los Angeles County:
San Bernardino County:
Riverside County:
Orange County:
Ventura County:
San Diego County:
After bail is posted, the release process begins. Release times vary significantly depending on the facility:
The release process takes time because the jail must verify the bail, process the paperwork, return personal property, and complete the administrative discharge. Weekend and holiday arrests typically result in longer release times due to reduced staffing.
Pro tip: If your loved one is still at a local city jail (such as the Beverly Hills City Jail, Burbank City Jail, or Long Beach City Jail), posting bail there before they are transferred to a larger county facility will result in a much faster release. Once transferred to a county jail, the release process starts over and takes significantly longer.
Getting your loved one out of jail is the first step. The next step is protecting their future. Under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to effective assistance of counsel. But the timing of when that attorney gets involved changes everything. A criminal defense attorney should not just be contacted before the arraignment. They should be at the jail, meeting with your loved one, before the arraignment ever happens.
This is why My Rights Law provides immediate confidential jail visits. When you call us, we do not wait. We go to the jail the same day and meet with your loved one in a private, attorney-client privileged setting. Here is what that early intervention accomplishes:
The difference between an attorney who has visited your loved one in jail and one who meets them for the first time at the courthouse is the difference between a prepared defense and a generic plea. Call us at (888) 702-8845 to schedule a jail visit now.
If the bail amount is too high for cash bail and you cannot afford the 10% bail bond premium, you still have options:
Request a bail reduction. A defense attorney can argue for reduced bail at the arraignment hearing by filing a motion under California Penal Code Section 1275. Under the California Supreme Court's ruling in In re Humphrey (2021), judges must consider the defendant's ability to pay and explore less restrictive alternatives before setting cash bail. This ruling was grounded in the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantees of due process and equal protection, which prohibit detention based solely on an inability to pay. Judges consider factors like community ties, employment, family responsibilities, criminal history, and whether the current bail amount is excessive. Many defendants get significant bail reductions when represented by an attorney.
Request OR release. A defense attorney can argue that the defendant should be released on their own recognizance without any bail. OR release is granted based on factors including the severity of the charges, community ties, and flight risk. Having an attorney advocate for OR release at the arraignment dramatically improves the chances of success.
Bail bond payment plans. Many bail bond companies offer payment plans that allow you to pay the 10% premium over time rather than all at once. Some bondsmen accept credit cards, payment installments, or reduced premiums for military members or union members.
Pre-filing intervention. If an attorney gets involved during the 48-hour window between arrest and arraignment (established by California Penal Code Section 825, and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in County of Riverside v. McLaughlin (1991)), they may be able to get the charges reduced or rejected by the District Attorney before formal charges are filed. Reduced charges mean a lower bail amount. Rejected charges mean no bail is needed at all.
Do not assume you are stuck with the initial bail amount. Contact My Rights Law at (888) 702-8845 and we will fight for every available option to get your loved one released.
There are situations where a person can be released from jail without posting any bail:
Citation release (cite out). For minor offenses, the arresting officer may issue a citation at the scene instead of taking the person to jail. The citation includes a date to appear in court. The person is never booked into jail.
Own recognizance (OR) release after booking. Some jails have a pretrial services unit that interviews defendants after booking and recommends OR release for eligible individuals based on a risk assessment. This can happen before the arraignment in some counties.
OR release at arraignment. The judge can grant OR release at the arraignment hearing. A defense attorney's advocacy at this stage is critical.
Charges rejected by the District Attorney. If a defense attorney intervenes during the pre-filing period and successfully argues for charge rejection, the defendant is released with no charges and no bail. This is the best possible outcome and one of the key reasons to hire an attorney immediately after an arrest.
Supervised OR release. In some cases, a judge may grant release without bail but with conditions such as regular check-ins with a pretrial services officer, GPS ankle monitoring, surrender of passport, drug or alcohol testing, or enrollment in a treatment program. A defense attorney can negotiate these conditions to make OR release more likely.
Do not wait for the arraignment. Get an attorney to the jail now.
Every option above, from bail reduction to OR release to charge rejection, starts with one thing: having an attorney who already knows the case. Our attorneys make immediate confidential jail visits so they arrive at the arraignment fully prepared to fight for your loved one's release. The difference between an attorney who meets your loved one at the courthouse and one who has already been to the jail is the difference between a generic plea and a real defense.
The release process differs depending on the facility. Below are important details for the major jails where My Rights Law clients are typically held.
Address: 450 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 893-5100 (Twin Towers) / (213) 974-4921 (Men's Central)
Average release time after bail posted: 6 to 12+ hours
Twin Towers and Men's Central Jail are the largest facilities in Los Angeles County and process an enormous volume of inmates daily. Release times are among the longest in the region. If your loved one was arrested in a city with its own jail (such as Beverly Hills, Burbank, Long Beach, or Pasadena), posting bail at the city jail before transfer to Twin Towers or Men's Central will result in a much faster release.
Address: 1705 Alameda Street, Lynwood, CA 90262
Phone: (323) 357-5100
Average release time after bail posted: 4 to 8 hours
Century Regional is the primary facility for female inmates in Los Angeles County. Women arrested anywhere in LA County are typically transferred here after initial booking at a local jail.
Address: 9500 Etiwanda Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Phone: (909) 350-2476
Average release time after bail posted: 4 to 8 hours
West Valley is the primary booking facility for western San Bernardino County. Arrestees from Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Upland, Chino, Chino Hills, Montclair, Claremont, and surrounding communities are typically booked here. Bail can be posted 24 hours a day. Arraignments for West Valley inmates are held at the Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court at 8303 North Haven Avenue.
Address: 4000 Orange Street, Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: (951) 955-4500
Average release time after bail posted: 4 to 8 hours
Robert Presley is the primary booking facility for central Riverside County. Arrestees from Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Norco, and Jurupa Valley are typically booked here. Arraignments are held at the Riverside Hall of Justice at 4100 Main Street.
Address: 30755-B Auld Road, Murrieta, CA 92563
Phone: (951) 696-3050
Average release time after bail posted: 3 to 6 hours
Serves southwestern Riverside County. Arrestees from Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, and Menifee are typically booked here. Arraignments are held at the Southwest Justice Center at 30755-D Auld Road.
Address: 550 N. Flower Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703
Phone: (714) 647-4666
Average release time after bail posted: 4 to 8 hours
The primary booking and detention facility for all of Orange County. Arrestees from Santa Ana, Irvine, Fullerton, Anaheim, Westminster, Newport Beach, and all other OC cities are eventually processed here if not bailed out at a local city jail first. Arraignments are typically held at the Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana.
Address: 501 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868
Phone: (714) 935-6015
Average release time after bail posted: 4 to 8 hours
The largest jail in Orange County. Houses pre-trial and sentenced male inmates. Arrestees from northern Orange County cities including Fullerton, Anaheim, Orange, Placentia, and Buena Park may be housed here.
Address: 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009
Phone: (805) 654-3335
Average release time after bail posted: 4 to 6 hours
The primary booking and detention facility for all of Ventura County. Houses approximately 890 inmates and processes over 29,000 bookings per year. Bail can be posted 24/7 in person, or by phone at (888) 604-7888. Arrestees from Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, and surrounding communities are booked here. Arraignments are held at the Hall of Justice at 800 South Victoria Avenue.
Address: 1173 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 409-5000
Average release time after bail posted: 6 to 12+ hours
The primary intake facility for incarcerated males in San Diego County. One of the tallest jail facilities in California at 230 feet with 11 floors. Release times can be lengthy due to the volume of inmates processed. Arraignments are held at the Central Courthouse at 1100 Union Street, San Diego.
Address: 325 South Melrose Drive, Suite 200, Vista, CA 92081
Phone: (619) 409-5000
Average release time after bail posted: 4 to 8 hours
The primary intake facility for northern San Diego County. Arrestees from Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, and surrounding communities are typically booked here. Arraignments are held at the North County Division courthouse at 325 South Melrose Drive, Vista.
Your loved one is in one of these facilities right now. We can be there today.
My Rights Law attorneys make immediate confidential jail visits at every facility listed above. We do not wait for business hours. We do not wait for the arraignment. We go now. Call (888) 702-8845 and we will send an attorney to meet with your loved one today.
Act immediately. The sooner you start the bail process, the sooner your loved one comes home. Do not wait to see what happens. Every hour in custody is an hour your loved one is away from their family, their job, and their ability to participate in their own defense.
Bail out of a city jail before transfer. If your loved one was arrested by a city police department (Beverly Hills PD, Burbank PD, Long Beach PD, Pasadena PD, Glendale PD, etc.), they will be held at the city jail for 48 to 72 hours before being transferred to a larger county facility. Posting bail at the city jail results in a release time of 1 to 4 hours. Once transferred to a county jail, release can take 6 to 12+ hours. This is the single most effective way to speed up the process.
Have your information ready. When contacting a bail bondsman or posting cash bail, have the following information ready: the full legal name of the arrested person, their date of birth, the booking number (if available), the facility where they are held, and the charges and bail amount.
Hire an attorney before the arraignment. A defense attorney can argue for reduced bail or OR release at the arraignment. If bail is reduced from $50,000 to $25,000, the bail bond premium drops from $5,000 to $2,500. If the judge grants OR release, no bail is needed at all. The cost of an attorney often pays for itself through bail savings alone.
Do not discuss the case. When your loved one is released, remind them not to discuss the case with anyone except their attorney. Do not post about the arrest on social media. Conversations with friends, family, and cellmates are not protected by attorney-client privilege and can be used as evidence.
Getting out of jail is not the end of the process. Your loved one must attend every scheduled court appearance or risk having bail forfeited under Penal Code Section 1305, a bench warrant issued for their arrest, and separate criminal charges under Penal Code Section 1320 (misdemeanor failure to appear) or Section 1320.5 (felony failure to appear) for their arrest. Here is what to expect after release:
Arraignment. The first court appearance must happen within 48 hours of arrest (excluding Sundays and holidays). If your loved one was released on bail before the arraignment, they must still appear in court on the date specified on their release paperwork. Learn more at Understanding Arraignment in California.
Conditions of release. The judge may impose conditions of release under Penal Code Sections 1270.1 and 1318, such as no contact with the alleged victim, stay-away orders, travel restrictions, drug or alcohol testing, or electronic monitoring. Violating these conditions can result in bail revocation and re-arrest.
Ongoing case. After arraignment, the case proceeds through pretrial hearings, motions, possible plea negotiations, and potentially trial. Throughout this process, the defendant must comply with all court orders and conditions of release. Having a defense attorney from the beginning ensures continuity and the strongest possible defense strategy.
How long does it take to get someone out of jail in California?
The total time depends on two factors: how quickly bail is posted and how long the facility takes to process the release. Posting bail can be done within minutes to a few hours depending on the method. Release processing takes 1 to 4 hours at city jails and 4 to 12+ hours at larger county facilities like Twin Towers or West Valley Detention Center.
Can I bail someone out at 3 AM?
Yes. Bail can be posted 24 hours a day at county jail facilities. Many bail bond companies also operate around the clock. City jails may have more limited bail posting hours, so call the facility to confirm.
What if my loved one was arrested on a Friday night?
You can still post bail over the weekend. However, arraignment will not happen until the next business day (typically Monday). Release processing times tend to be longer on weekends due to reduced staffing. Acting quickly to post bail on Friday night or Saturday morning will help avoid a full weekend in custody.
What if I cannot afford the bail bond premium?
Many bail bond companies offer payment plans, accept credit cards, or offer reduced premiums for certain groups (military, union members, etc.). You can also hire a defense attorney to argue for reduced bail or OR release at the arraignment, which may eliminate the need for a bail bond entirely.
Should I bail my loved one out or wait for the arraignment?
If you can afford it, bailing your loved one out before the arraignment is almost always the better choice. Being out of custody allows them to participate in their own defense, consult with their attorney, continue working, and take care of family responsibilities. However, if bail is extremely high and you cannot afford it, a defense attorney can argue for reduced bail at the arraignment, which may be the more cost-effective path.
Can bail be posted at any jail facility?
Cash bail must be posted at the specific jail where the person is being held. Bail bondsmen can post bail at any facility.
What if my loved one is transferred to a different facility after I post bail?
If bail was properly posted and processed before the transfer, the release will still go through. However, the paperwork may need to follow the inmate to the new facility, which can cause delays. Contact the new facility to confirm the status.
My loved one was arrested in Rancho Cucamonga. What is the fastest way to get them out?
Arrestees in Rancho Cucamonga are typically booked at West Valley Detention Center. Post bail directly at West Valley (9500 Etiwanda Avenue) as soon as booking is complete. Average release time is 4 to 8 hours. If they were initially held at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Station (10510 Civic Center Drive), posting bail there before transfer to West Valley will be even faster.
My loved one was arrested in Beverly Hills / Burbank / Long Beach. Should I post bail at the city jail?
Yes. Posting bail at the city jail before your loved one is transferred to an LA County facility is the fastest path to release. City jail release times are typically 1 to 4 hours. Once transferred to Twin Towers or Men's Central Jail, release can take 6 to 12+ hours.
Can My Rights Law help me get my loved one out of jail?
Yes. We fight for reduced bail and OR release at every arraignment. We also provide immediate jail visits so your loved one has legal counsel from the start. Our pre-filing intervention can result in charges being reduced or rejected before arraignment, which directly affects bail. Call (888) 702-8845 for immediate help.
Every hour your loved one spends in jail is an hour they are away from their family, their job, and their life. More importantly, it is an hour the prosecution is building their case without anyone fighting back. The single most effective thing you can do right now is get a defense attorney to the jail.
At My Rights Law, we provide immediate confidential jail visits at every jail facility in Southern California. We answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, because arrests do not happen on a schedule. When you call, we dispatch an attorney to the jail the same day. By the time the arraignment arrives, we already know the case, have a strategy, and are ready to fight for reduced bail, OR release, or charge rejection.
Call us now at (888) 702-8845 or fill out our secure contact form. We offer flat fee pricing and will begin working on your case immediately.
This page was written by the My Rights Law Editorial Team and reviewed for legal accuracy by Bobby Shamuilian.
Attorney Shamuilian is the founder and managing partner of My Rights Law and is widely recognized as a legal authority, frequently appearing as a legal analyst and TV pundit on national news outlets.
He has earned a perfect “10.0 – Top Attorney” rating on AVVO and a “10.0” rating on Justia, and has been named among the “Top 40 Under 40” and the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” by The National Trial Lawyers.
With his proven expertise and dedication, Mr. Shamuilian is committed to protecting your rights and achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
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