There are countless misconceptions people have about the bail bonds industry.  Many people assume that a defendant will be released from jail the second a bond is posted.  This isn’t exactly true.Getting out of jail is not like checking out of a hotel.  In California it often takes between four and six hours after a bond is posted for a defendant to be released from custody.

The number one priority for the jails is keeping people safe.  If the guards are undergoing a shift change, this process will take precedence over releasing an inmate.  There are times during the day where the inmates need to be counted; this will also take precedence of releasing an inmate.   Making sure people receive meals and booking people into the system are also ranked higher on the jail’s to-do list than releasing someone from custody.

Unfortunately the four to six hour window is often the jail’s best guesstimate and this can vary greatly from jail to jail.  At the Twin Tower Correctional facility in downtown Los Angeles, for example, release times can range upward of 24 hours after a bond has been posted.   Twin Towers is the largest jail in the world which is why the process is so markedly delayed. On the other hand, a smaller jail like the one at the Anaheim Police Department may only have a projected release time of 30 minutes.  It really all depends on how big the jail is and how busy they are.

If you have found yourself in a position where you have been asked to help arrange bail bonds for a friend or family member, be sure to ask your bondsman lots of questions about how the bail bonds process works.  They will be able to let you know the anticipated timeline for getting your loved one out of jail and will be able to let you know once the bond has been posted.   When it comes to the defendant’s release, this is really when the clock will start ticking.

Published: 08/06/2012