BY | September 5, 2024

Discovering your loved one has been arrested can come as a serious shock. Trying to process this news and knowing what to do next makes this situation extremely stressful. Right now, you’ve probably got a thousand questions racing through your mind. This can make it super hard to focus and think. So, it’s essential to pause, and give yourself a moment to figure out what action you need to take. 

At King StahlmanBail Bonds, we understand that being told a loved one has been arrested isn’t something many people plan for. So, in this blog, we’ll guide you through what to do after a loved one is arrested in San Diego. We’ll explain the processes involved following an arrest in San Diego to help you better understand how you can help.

What Happens After an Arrest in San Diego?

An arrest is an uncertain time for the arrestee and their loved ones. But having an understanding of how the process works can take some of that uncertainty away. Here’s what happens after your loved one is arrested in San Diego:

• First, your loved one will be taken to jail in San Diego.
• When they arrive at the jail, your loved one will go through the booking process. The booking process will involve the arrestee’s personal information being collected, their fingerprints and photo being taken, and them being searched. The arrestee’s personal possessions will be confiscated. 
• After being booked in, your loved one will have the chance to contact you, another family member, or friend. The opportunity to make a phone call should be allowed within approximately three hours of being booked in.
• It’s possible that your loved one will be able to be released on bail at this point. But in many cases, they will need to appear before a judge to be arraigned. Depending on when they are arrested, your loved one will usually need to wait up to 48 hours to appear before the judge for arraignment. However, if they’re arrested over the weekend or during the holidays, it could take up to five days. They will remain in jail while awaiting the arraignment hearing.
• At the arraignment, the judge will decide whether charges are going to be filed. If they are, the judge will detail the charges they face. Your loved one will then need to enter their plea. The judge will decide whether bail can be granted and will set a bail amount. The judge will also set the date for your loved one’s trial.
• If bail is granted, you can arrange bail on your loved one’s behalf to help speed up their release from jail and get them back home faster. Below we’ll explain even more ways you can help and support your loved one at this distressing time.

Steps to Take if Your Loved One is Arrested in San Diego

You likely have two big questions right now: where is your loved one being held, and how can you get them released as soon as possible?  Here, we’ll explain exactly what you can do to help your loved one through this extremely stressful situation.

Stay Calm

Staying calm isn’t easy when you’re feeling super stressed and anxious about your loved one. It’s natural to feel all kinds of emotions when you’re faced with news of an arrest. But you’re going to be so much more help to your loved one if you can stay calm and focused on ways to support them.

When they call you from jail, it’s going to feel a lot more reassuring for them to hear that you’re handling the situation calmly. No one wants to spend more than a second longer in jail than they need to. By taking a proactive approach, you’ll be able to get to work on your loved one’s release and speed up the entire process. 

Gather Information

Finding out that someone you care about has been arrested can be confusing enough, but the situation will be even worse if you’re unable to locate where they’re being detained and don’t have all the facts about their arrest. So, it’s essential to gather information to get things clear in your mind.

Locate Your Loved One

One of the first things to do is to search for them using the San Diego County inmate locator tool. Simply enter their name, address, and date of birth, and it should tell you precisely where they’re being held and the address of the jail.

The inmate locator may not return results for your loved one if they’re still waiting to be processed or the system hasn’t been updated. This means you may need to wait a few hours before you can check their location.

Ensure You Understand the Facts

To help your loved one after their arrest, you need to know some facts, such as:

• What are they being charged with?
• How much is the bail amount?
• What is the date and time of their hearing?

Contact a Reliable Bail Bondsman

Contacting a reliable San Diego bail bond company provides you with invaluable help and support at this stressful time. Choosing the right bail bondsman means you get the peace of mind that they’re experienced enough to handle the entire process of getting your loved one released on bail.

This is a time when making informed decisions is vital. At King Stahlman Bail Bonds, we’re here to help you 24/7. Get in touch for a reliable, affordable bail bond service to support you through this complicated process.

Supporting Your Loved One After Their Arrest

Being arrested is never easy. Thankfully, there are tons of extra ways to support your loved one, such as:

• Keep your phone near you so you can answer it immediately if your loved one calls.
• Ensure they attend their court dates on time and don’t skip bail.
• Arrange bail so they can be released from jail as soon as possible.
• Attend the arraignment and trial hearing to demonstrate to the judge that your loved one has a support network.

If your loved one has been arrested, we’re here to help. Contact ‘The King’ at 619-232-7127 and we’ll provide hassle-free, reliable bail bonds in your time of need.