A Typical Day In Jail

There are times when a bail bondsman will not be able to secure your release from jail in a speedy fashion. This might be due to the fact that the courts are closed over the weekend or evening, or because the booking process takes longer than anticipated. Either way, once arrested, there is a chance that you will spend one or more days in jail before being released. In that case, it is good to be prepared for what you will encounter during the process.

Typically, you will be held either in a city jail, or in the case of immigration infractions, in a detention center together with other immigrants who might be in the country illegally. First and foremost, you will be taken to booking, where your photo will be taken, together with your fingerprints, as well as your biographical data. (At this time, a records check will likely be run to see if you have any outstanding warrants, and if so, those agencies will also be informed of your arrest.) After this, most arrestees will undergo a medical screening to ensure that their health is taken care of while they are in custody. All of your personal belongings will be removed from your person and placed in a secure location until you are released from jail. You may or may not be placed in jail issued clothing, this depends on whether or not that is the particular jails policy and whether it is likely that you will be released in the near future. Generally speaking, if you are expected to stay more than a few hours, you will be given a standard issue jumpsuit.

Once you have been booked, you will be taken to a cell with a bed, toilet and the absolute bare minimum in creature comforts such as a blanket, toothbrush and toilet paper.  While it might not be a comfortable night, you will be safe, and wake up in time for very early “chow” which is often between 5 and 6:30 AM. The rest of the day will probably be very boring, with time to watch TV, exercise or go outside, as the jail permits, or have time alone in your cell (which you may share with one or more other inmates) to read, make calls, write letters or sleep, interspersed with other meals, and possibly shower time. Life in jail is very orderly, time oriented and in fact rather boring in most cases.

A good bail bondsman will work to secure your release as quickly as possible, but he is at the mercy of the court systems, and unfortunately cannot make things move along faster. He can, however, most likely suggest one or more competent attorneys should there be a need, and you can also spend your time in jail with your attorney preparing any defense that might be necessary