The phone rings late at night, and it’s someone you love calling from a jail in Long Beach. Or maybe you just found out a family member was picked up and you don’t even know where they’re being held. Your first question is how to get them out, and whether you need a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles to make it happen. Panic is a normal reaction. What you do in the next few hours can make a real difference.
Below, we’ll walk through how bail and release work in California, what options may be available, and how a lawyer can help. If you need to talk to someone right now, call (562) 434-8916 for a free, confidential consultation.
What Happens in the First Few Hours After an Arrest
After an arrest, the person is taken in for booking. That usually means fingerprints, a photo, and recording personal information.
From there, one of a few things generally happens:
- They’re released on their own recognizance, meaning a promise to return to court
- Bail is set, and they can be released once it’s posted
- They’re held until they can see a judge about release
Which one applies depends on the charge, the person’s history, and the court’s rules.
How Bail Works in California
Bail is one part of California’s pretrial release process. Depending on the circumstances, a person may be released on bail, released on their own recognizance, or required to follow other court-ordered conditions. It isn’t a fine, and it isn’t a judgment about guilt.
When deciding on release, a judge may look at the type of charge, the person’s criminal history, their ties to the community, and any safety concerns. Criminal defense attorneys in California deal with these rules every day, but how release plays out can vary from one court to the next.
If bail is set, there are a few common ways to post it:
- Cash bail, paid in full to the court
- A bail bond, where a bail bond company posts the amount for a fee that usually isn’t refundable
- A property bond, using qualifying real estate as security
Missing court has serious consequences. If someone skips a court date after posting bail, the bail can be forfeited and a judge can issue a warrant for their arrest.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney in Los Angeles County Can Help With Release
In some cases, an attorney may be able to request a review of the bail amount or the conditions of release:
Asking for release on your own recognizance. An attorney can show the court the person’s job, family, and community ties to argue they’ll return to court without bail.
Requesting a bail reduction. If the amount is out of reach, your attorney can ask the judge to lower it at a hearing.
Pushing for reasonable conditions. Release can come with conditions, and a lawyer can argue that they should fit the situation.
Starting the defense right away. The same attorney working on release can begin reviewing the case and protecting the person’s rights.
If someone you love is in custody right now in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, or Orange County, call (562) 434-8916 today.
What Families Should Do Right Now
When you’re scrambling, a short checklist helps:
- Write down the person’s full name, date of birth, and booking number if you can get it
- Find out which facility they’re being held in
- Talk to a lawyer before signing a bail bond agreement, since bail may be lowered or OR release may be possible
- Don’t discuss the case on jail phone calls, which are typically recorded
- Don’t post about the arrest on social media
Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney in Los Angeles County: Why Families Call Jerry
Jerry Nicholson’s legal career began in 1978 as a Deputy District Attorney for Orange County, where he prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases and was assigned to the county’s Narcotics Task Force. Since opening his own practice in 1987, he’s built more than three decades of criminal defense experience.
Families looking for a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles usually want two things: someone who picks up the phone, and someone who knows the local courts. As a criminal defense attorney in Long Beach, he knows the local courts and how release decisions tend to play out. Whatever the charge, from DUI to violent crimes, you can see the full range of cases we handle. You can also learn more about Jerry’s approach or read client reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get released after posting bail? It varies. Release can take several hours depending on the facility and how busy it is.
What is OR release? OR stands for “own recognizance.” It means the person is released without posting bail, based on a promise to return to court and follow any conditions the judge sets.
Can bail be lowered after it’s set? In some cases, yes. An attorney can ask the judge to reduce bail or change release conditions at a hearing.
Do you get bail money back? It depends on how bail was posted. Cash bail may be returned after the case ends if every court date was attended, while a bail bond company’s fee generally isn’t refundable.
Get Legal Guidance After an Arrest
Every hour in custody is hard on the person inside and the family waiting outside. An attorney can review the circumstances of the arrest, explain the bail process, and help you understand the release options that may be available. Call the Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson today at (562) 434-8916 for a free, confidential consultation.
