Ultimately, that answer will depend on the jail where your loved one was booked, as well as what day and time of day you’re trying to secure their release. However, we can break down each step of the process, as well as typical time ranges for each step, so you can get an idea of what to expect if you need to post bail for someone in Southern California.
The Bail Process & How Long Each Step Takes
Setting the Amount for Bail
In California, after someone is arrested, getting booked and processed can take about two to eight hours. Since each county in California has its own bail schedule, bail is often set within a few hours of the booking process being completed.
In places like Los Angeles County, there is a set list of charges for which officers may need to first contact a magistrate. The magistrate would then be called to determine whether an arrestee can be released on $0 bail, or if a certain amount needs to be set for a financial condition of release. In L.A. County, magistrates are on call 24/7, so this extra step should only add a negligible amount of time to the process.
That said, it can take up to 48 hours in some cases for bail to be set by a judge, though this isn’t typical.
Figuring Out How to Post Bail
Once you get the call that a loved one has been arrested and needs your help getting out, the next step would involve figuring out if you can put up the money for bail, and if not, deciding which bail bondsman to contact for help. At Dan's Bail Bonds, we are available 24/7, and you can contact Dan Nesser directly at (888) 773-8037 whatever the time of day or night, ensuring that this process moves as quickly as possible.
Posting Bail
After you’ve given a licensed bail bondsman the information they need from you about the defendant and co-signor, they can fill out and submit the bail bond application. At Dan's Bail Bonds, we can often have this bail bond application submitted within just a few hours of being contacted for help.
Securing Release from Jail
Now it will be up to the jail to process and approve the application. While we aim to expedite the release from jail as much as possible, if the facility is understaffed or it’s the middle of the night or a holiday, it can take the jail staff hours to process the application. In other cases, the bail bond application could get approved within an hour.
Typically, after the bail bond application has been sent in, you might be waiting somewhere in the range of two to four hours before your loved one is released from jail.
Total Time for the Bail Bond Process
There are many variables that go into this process, but if matters go as smoothly and as quickly as possible, then the process from hiring a bail bondsman to getting your loved one released from jail could all be accomplished in under 4 hours. This is more likely to occur during normal business hours.
On the other hand, posting bail and securing a release from jail could take 12 hours, 24 hours, or longer if:
- Paperwork is more complicated (the defendant has a significant criminal history, for example)
- You’re trying to post bail in the middle of the night
- You’re trying to post bail on a holiday weekend
- A jail is busier than normal and/or understaffed
However, on average, it can take someone 4 to 8 hours to post bail in Southern California, from calling a bail bondsman to getting someone out of jail.
How Long Does It Take to Get Bail Money Back?
If you post bail yourself, you will get your money back once the case is complete, as long as the defendant complies with all conditions of their release, including attending every court appearance. How long does it take to get the bail money back? Typically, you can expect to receive the bail refund about 30 business days after the defendant's case has concluded, and it will be sent to you by mail.
If you use a licensed bail bondsman like Dan, you’ll pay a non-refundable fee, which means you won’t get any bail money back at the end of the case. This is because, when you go through a bondsman, you are essentially paying a service fee for them to post the full bail amount on your behalf, so you never actually surrender the full bail amount yourself.
Available 24/7 to Help with Posting Bail in Southern California
When it comes to trying to get someone released from jail quickly, there’s only so much within any one person’s control to speed things along, so it’s important to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Available around the clock, Dan treats each call that comes his way with the urgency that the situation deserves, just as he has done for more than 20 years. When you need fast, reliable, and discreet bail bond services in Southern California, you can rely on Dan's Bail Bonds.
Call (888) 773-8037 now! We’re located in L.A. County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.