Booking And Release Timeline After An LA Arrest
After an LAPD arrest, the person is booked at a jail, gets three phone calls within three hours, and is either released, bailed out or held for court. The court says the first hearing typically occurs within 48 hours. No official source gives a release time, so nobody can promise one.
Stage One, Booking
Officers take the person to one of three LAPD jails. Staff record the charge. LAPD says belongings go into a property bag. The finder shows which jail is most likely for each neighborhood.
Stage Two, The Phone Calls
Penal Code 851.5 gives an arrested person the right to at least three completed calls, right after booking and no later than three hours after arrest. The calls are free inside the local calling area.
The calls can go to an attorney, a bail agent, or a relative or other person. A parent with custody of a child can ask for two more calls to set up child care. Calls to an attorney are not monitored.
Stage Three, The Record Shows Up
The county search does not list bookings from the last 2 hours. After that, search by name or call (213) 473-6100. See how to find an inmate.
Stage Four, Release Without Bail Or A Bail Amount
Since October 1, 2023, Los Angeles courts use the Pre Arraignment Release Protocols. Each offense falls into one of three groups.
- Cite and release. The person is released on a promise to appear, with $0 bail.
- Book and release. The person is booked, then released on a promise to appear, with $0 bail.
- Magistrate review. A judge decides on release before the first court date.
Some charges do not qualify for $0 release. The schedule names capital offenses, Penal Code 1270.1 offenses and offenses with certain enhancements. Those need money bail or a hold until court.
A person on felony probation or parole, or with three or more recent missed court dates, is sent to a magistrate even on a lower charge.
Asking For Lower Bail Right Away
An attorney, a friend or a family member can ask a magistrate for lower bail or release without bail. Call the court's Pre Arraignment Support Unit at (213) 633-6350. The request must come within two hours of booking. The unit answers 24 hours a day. This is not open for Penal Code 1270.1 offenses.
Stage Five, Posting Bail
LAPD takes bail at its jails 24 hours a day. It accepts cash, a valid surety bond, a cashier's check to the LAPD Bail Account from a California bank, or a Western Union or US Postal money order. The court has magistrates on hand at every hour of the week.
After bail is posted, the jail still has to process the release. Ask the jail's Watch Commander when and where to pick the person up.
Stage Six, The First Court Date
Penal Code 825 says a person must be taken before a magistrate within 48 hours of arrest, not counting Sundays and holidays. An arrest on a Wednesday after court hours can push the hearing to Friday.
LAPD says the courthouse depends on where the arrest took place and on the charge. Ask the jail which court it will be. The bail amount used before court does not bind the judge at arraignment.
Stage Seven, County Jail
LAPD says anyone still in custody after arraignment is handed to the Sheriff. Men go through the Inmate Reception Center downtown. Women are held at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood. Visits and calls start once the person has housing.
For another plain account of these hours, see the Jane Un Bail Bonds guide to the hours after an arrest.
Where These Facts Come From
If Bail Is Set, Help Is One Call Away
A family member, a friend or an attorney can call day or night. Ask what the full premium is before you agree to anything.