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My Loved One Was Just Arrested — What Do I Do First?

A calm, step-by-step guide for the first 60 minutes after an arrest call.

The phone rings. It’s late. The voice on the other end says the words you never expected to hear: “I’ve been arrested.”

Your heart drops. Your mind races. You have no idea what to do next.

Take a breath. You are not alone — and you are in the right place. Here is exactly what to do, step by step, right now.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Get the Key Information

The most important thing in the first few minutes is gathering these details:

Full legal name of the person arrested
Date of birth
The city or location where the arrest happened
What they were charged with (if they know)
The jail or detention facility name (if possible)

If they called from jail, the call may be short. Don’t panic if you don’t get everything — we can find the missing information for you.

Step 2: Call a Bail Bondsman Immediately

Every hour your loved one spends in custody matters. The sooner you call a bail bondsman, the sooner the release process begins.

You do not need all the answers before calling us. That is our job.

What Bail Angels Will Do On Your First Call

Look up the arrest and booking number — even if you don’t have it
Confirm the bail amount set by the court
Explain your payment options clearly and honestly
Begin the paperwork so release can happen as fast as possible
Answer every question you have — in English or Spanish

Step 3: Understand What Happens Next

After an arrest, your loved one goes through booking, which involves:

Fingerprinting and photographing (mugshot)
Recording personal information and the charges
A bail amount is assigned — either from the bail schedule or set by a judge at arraignment
Once bail is posted, release processing begins (typically 2–8 hours)

The faster bail is posted, the faster this process begins.

Step 4: Know Your Rights as a Family Member

You have every right to:

Contact a bail bondsman on your loved one’s behalf
Ask the jail for booking status
Speak with an attorney about the charges
Request information about upcoming court dates

You do NOT have to navigate this alone.

Common Questions in the First Hour

“I don’t know which jail they’re in.”

Call us. We search the county booking system and locate them quickly. See our page: I Don’t Know Which Jail They’re In

“I can’t afford bail.”

Most families can. With a bail bond you typically pay only 10% of the total bail amount — and we offer flexible 0% payment plans. See our page: We Can’t Afford Bail — What Are Our Options?

“Is this person going to lose their job?”

Time is the biggest factor. The sooner they are out, the less impact on employment. See our page: Will This Arrest Affect Their Job or Housing?

Need Help Right Now? Call Bail Angels — 24/7

Our compassionate, bilingual team is ready to help — day or night. (619) 270-2300
We walk you through every step in plain English or Spanish and start your loved one’s release immediately.