Identify the Correct Agency to Contact Role: The jail or prison where you were held will likely have your release records. How to Contact: Check the facility's website or call their administrative office for guidance on requesting documents.
A committee reviews the prisoner's records, including the severity of crime, the sentence, and behavior while incarcerated. Determine a minimum percentage of the sentence has been served (varies by jurisdiction). Register with a supervisor. Victim is notified of release.
Best-case scenario: Release within 30 minutes to 2 hours after posting bail during regular business hours. More typical scenario: Release within 4-8 hours, especially during off-peak hours or weekends. Worst-case scenario: Release could be delayed for 24 hours or more in complex cases or due to logistical hurdles.
Identify the Correct Agency to Contact Role: The jail or prison where you were held will likely have your release records. How to Contact: Check the facility's website or call their administrative office for guidance on requesting documents.
Phone Number(s) 24/7 Automated Phone System and Customer Support. 800-483-8314. Inmate Phone System Customer Service. 877-650-4249.
Once you are released on a bond, you will receive paperwork that will tell you to when your next court date will be.
Prosecutors usually move cases along more slowly when defendants are not in custody. As a result, witnesses can disappear and cases can get stale, so that bailed-out defendants often wind up with better deals. As defense attorneys like to say, "Justice delayed is justice."
Meanwhile, the courts may find 'good cause' in alignment with PC 1382 to delay the trial. This usually relates to complex cases or the discovery of new evidence. As with most states, California has stay-out-of-jail periods lasting between 90 days and 120 days depending on the circumstances of the case.
The decision to post bail for someone should not be taken lightly. Financially, you risk losing the bail amount or collateral if the defendant fails to appear in court. Legally, the defendant's absence can lead to arrest warrants and additional charges, complicating their legal situation further.
Jail Processing (2-12 hours) Once the bail is posted, the jail begins its release process. This involves verifying the bail with the court, completing internal paperwork, and conducting any necessary checks, such as warrant checks in other jurisdictions.