Discovering that a loved one has been arrested can instantly turn your life upside down, leaving you uncertain about what comes next or how best to support them.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed in this moment, but your next steps can significantly influence your loved one’s experience and the overall outcome of their case. It’s crucial to act calmly and strategically.
Below, we’ll provide a step-by-step set of actions to take after your family member’s arrest — from locating them quickly, arranging for bail, and navigating the arraignment process to effectively communicating with authorities. With this information and the support of an experienced Los Angeles defense attorney, you can confidently handle the situation and ensure your loved one’s rights and best interests are protected.
If you need immediate assistance or specific guidance tailored to your situation, contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend at 800-834-6434.
What happens after an arrest in Los Angeles?
The legal process following an individual’s arrest is as follows:
- Arrest – When someone is arrested, they are taken by law enforcement to one of Los Angeles County’s jail facilities.
- Booking – Once they arrive at the jail, your family member will go through booking. They will have a chance to contact you via phone, typically within 3 hours of being booked.
- Bail, release, or detainment – After booking, a judge will determine if your loved one can be released on their own recognizance or if they’ll need to post bail. In some cases, you may be able to post their bail to have them released immediately. In other cases, they be detained for 48 hours to 5 days.
- Arraignment – Your family member will appear in court for an arraignment. the arraignment process follows these steps:
- Step 1: The district attorney will decide whether to file charges,
- Step 2: Your family member will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest,
- Step 3: Bail will be determined; and
- Step 4: A court date will be scheduled.
What should I do after my family member is arrested?
The four main things that you should do after a loved one’s arrest are gather key information, seek professional legal assistance, arrange for your family member’s bail, and maintain support and communication. More information about each of these steps is provided below.
1. Gather key information
When you’ve found out that a loved one has been arrested, you’ll likely have a lot of questions about where they’re headed and what happens next. The good news is that you can start finding some answers pretty much right away.
Following an arrest, you should:
Find your loved one’s location
Individuals who are arrested in Los Angeles county will be taken to one of LA’s county jail facilities. You can find out which facility your family member is being detained at by visiting the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department’s Inmate Information Center web page or by calling their inmate information line at (213) 473-6100.
Below are three of the key correctional facilities in Los Angeles. Follow the links to find more information about each of the facilities, including their location and how to contact inmates:
Contact the Los Angeles Police Department
In addition to locating your loved one, it’s important that you also contact the Los Angeles Police Department in order to gather information about their arrest including what their charges are, visitation policies, and the amount of their bail.
Keep your phone handy
Your loved one should be able to place a phone call within three hours of their arrest. If they choose to call you, this will be a collect call at your expense.
Record important details
When speaking with the police department about your family member, make sure that you write down important details such as the name and badge number of the arresting officer or any information they give you about their charges and arrest.
Stay calm
It can be hard to think clearly and make good decisions when you’re under stress. Remember to breathe and do your best to remain calm. Keeping a level head and a calm demeanor will help your family member navigate their situation and allow you to move through the legal process more smoothly.
2. Seek professional legal assistance
Following a family member’s arrest, you shouldn’t try to navigate the legal process alone. It’s essential that you seek the assistance of a qualified California criminal defense lawyer.
- Contact a California criminal defense attorney – As soon as you learn of your loved one’s arrest, you should contact a criminal defense attorney. Your lawyer will keep you informed about your options, help you understand the legal process, and defend your family member’s rights.
- Remind your family member of their rights – You and your family member’s attorney should keep them informed of their rights and encourage them to remain silent and to not answer any questions from police without their attorney present.
- Refrain from discussing the case with your family member over the phone – Phone calls placed to or from the jail are recorded, so it is important that you not discuss the case with your family member over the phone. Phone calls are best used to comfort and reassure your family member and to keep them informed of their rights and the progress of their case. Your family member will be able to discuss the case details confidentially with their attorney.
3. Arrange for bail
A judge will determine whether to set bail and at what amount. This amount will be based on the charges they were arrested on. The bail process will depend on the specifics of the case and your own personal and financial circumstances.
- Consider your options – After bail has been set, you have the option to post bail right away (and have your loved one released), or to wait to post bail until the arraignment. At the arraignment, the district attorney may decide to keep the bail the same or raise or lower it. Before deciding whether to bail your family member out now or later, you may want to consider whether they need to be out right away, the impact that up to 5 days in jail might have on them, and whether they are likely to have their bail lowered at the arraignment.
- Contact a bail bondsman – Many people choose to pay a person’s bail with the use of a bail bond. A bail bond company will post your family member’s bail in exchange for a non-refundable fee. If you choose to contact a bail bondsman, keep in mind that you will be required to pay the fee even if your loved one is released without bail at the arraignment. You will also be responsible for paying the full bail amount if your loved one doesn’t show up to their court date. Nonetheless, a bail bond can be the most financially feasible decision for a lot of people and your attorney can help you determine whether it’s a good idea for you.
- Own recognizance release – At the arraignment, the judge may decide to release your family member on their own recognizance (AKA “Own Recognizance Release” or “OR”). An OR release allows them to leave without paying bail if they promise to attend their court date.
4. Maintain support and communication
An arrest can be highly stressful and traumatic. It’s important that you provide your loved one with consistent emotional support in every way you can.
- Phone calls and visits – Consistent phone calls and visits with your family member can help to keep them informed and remind them that they are not going through this alone.
- Prepare for the arraignment and court date – You and your loved one’s attorney should work together to help prepare them to go to court.
- Gather character references – It’s a good idea to start gathering character refences as soon as possible after an arrest. You can do this by asking friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family members to write a letter informing the judge of your loved one’s upstanding character and positive attributes. The sooner you supply your attorney with character references, the better they will be able to use them in court or even during the arraignment, to possibly influence the judge’s decisions.
Los Angeles defense attorney Robert M. Helfend is here to help
If you’re family member has been arrested in Los Angeles, you don’t need to go through the stressful process alone. LA defense attorney Robert M. Helfend of the Helfend Law Group has been providing legal counsel to individuals facing criminal charges for over 40 years.
His extensive legal knowledge and dedication to his clients has earned him recognition from some of the foremost professional organizations including SuperLawyers and National Trial Lawyers Top 100. You and your loved one deserve the support of a skilled attorney who can get you the best result in your case and give you peace of mind throughout the criminal justice process.
Call today to set up your free consultation – 800-834-6434.
Published April 12, 2025.