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 Stahlman® Bail Bonds, we understand that being told a loved one has been arrested isn't something many people plan for. In this blog, we'll guide you through what to do after a loved one is arrested in San Diego, explaining the processes involved 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. This will involve their personal information being collected, their fingerprints and photo being taken, and them being searched. Their personal possessions will be confiscated.
- After being booked in, your loved one will have the chance to contact you, another family member, or a 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 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, they 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.
- At the arraignment, the judge will decide whether charges are going to be filed. If they are, the judge will detail the charges, your loved one will enter their plea, and the judge will decide whether bail can be granted and set the amount, along with the trial date.
- 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.
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.
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.
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. 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. To help your loved one, you also need to know what they're being charged with, how much the bail amount is, and 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. At King Stahlman® Bail Bonds, we're here to help you 24/7.
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.