Make the connection
If you or someone you know has been arrested, we can connect you to help with your next steps, temporary housing or other services, depending on your needs.
Our services are free. We’re here to help.
NEXT-STEPs CHECKLIST
If you’ve been arrested or released from jail (or know someone who has), here are some things to do as you plan to appear in court.
KEEP YOUR PAPERS
Save all the paperwork you received from law enforcement. This will tell you when and where to appear in court. If you’re not sure, call our support center at 833-522-5263.
SET UP REMINDERS
Get set up with a reminder to appear in court by calling us at 833-522-5263.
GET A RIDE
Figure out how you’re going to get to court. If you need help getting there, call the JCOD Justice Connect Support Center at 833-522-5263.
KEEP YOUR PAPERS
Save all the paperwork you received from law enforcement. This will tell you when and where to appear in court. If you’re not sure, call our support center at 833-522-5263.
SET UP REMINDERS
Get set up with a reminder to appear in court by calling us at 833-522-5263.
GET A RIDE
Figure out how you’re going to get to court. If you need help getting there, call the JCOD Justice Connect Support Center at 833-522-5263.
Wondering What’s Next?
FROM ARREST TO TRIAL
Figuring out the justice system can feel overwhelming. It’s helpful to know what resources are available and what happens next.
Choose the button that best fits:
Tip:
Click on purple, bold words to find out what they mean.
IN CUSTODY
Arrested by law enforcement
NEED TO KNOW
- People are innocent until proven guilty.
Booked at police station
NEED TO KNOW
- Booking can take several hours.
- They’ll be fingerprinted, searched and background-checked.
- Personal items they’re carrying are taken and stored.
- After booking, a judge may decide if your loved one is eligible for
- money bail.
- release without bail.
- or if they don’t qualify for release for some other reason.
- If they’re not eligible for bail or release, they’ll stay in custody.
- If bail is required and paid, they can be released as long as there’s no other reason to hold them in custody.
- If bail is required and not paid, they’ll have to stay in custody.
NEED TO DO
- Keep track of any paperwork your loved one received. This can be a citation form (Notice to Appear) or any other papers.
- If released, write down their arraignment court date. Remember, they must go to court.
- Have questions? You may want to contact the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office before your loved one’s court date.
In custody
NEED TO KNOW
- They will be either held at the booking station or transported to county jail to wait for arraignment.
- Arraignment usually happens within 48 hours of law enforcement contact. Weekends or holidays can make the process longer since courts aren’t open.
Transported to arraignment
NEED TO KNOW
- Arraignment is the first court hearing.
- If your loved one is in custody, law enforcement will transport them to the courthouse.
- Family and friends are encouraged to be at arraignment for support, though you won’t be able to speak to them.
- If you plan to attend court:
- Arrive at the courthouse early, at least by 8:30 a.m. You’ll need time to get through security and find the right courtroom.
- Be ready to stay in the courthouse all day. Courts run from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with a lunch break from 12-1:30 p.m.
- Don’t bring any sharp objects or sprays, or anything that could be seen as a weapon. The courthouses have metal detectors.
- If your loved one’s citation doesn’t list the court room for their hearing, ask at the public defender’s office in the courthouse.
- The courthouse may have screens or kiosks where you can check for their case.
Arraignment court
NEED TO KNOW
- Your loved one will need a lawyer. If they can’t afford one, the judge will assign them a lawyer, most often a public defender or alternate public defender.
- They can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. Their lawyer will help them figure out the best plea for their case.
- Arraignments move fast because many other cases will be heard that day. Listen carefully for the court staff or bailiff to call your loved one’s name.
- If you don’t hear their case announced, it may have been switched to another day. Check with the bailiff or court staff for more information.
- If the bailiff says your loved one’s case has not been filed, they could be released by the court, as long as there’s no other reason to hold them.
- If they are being released, you can ask the bailiff if the release will happen at the courthouse or after they return to the jail.
POSSIBLE DECISIONS
- If they’re in custody, the judge will decide if they will be released.
- At each court hearing, the judge may decide whether to increase, decrease or remove bail. If they’re released on their own recognizance or pay bail, they must return for all future court dates unless instructed otherwise by their lawyer or the court.
- They may need to follow certain conditions of release depending on the type of release they’re given.
- Release options:
- Own recognizance: They’re released without paying bail.
- They must return for all future court dates.
- Conditional release: They’re released after promising to follow certain conditions of release, like avoiding certain places (stay-away orders) or people (restraining orders), participating in the electronic monitoring program or other conditions.
- They must return for all future court dates.
- They must fulfill all the conditions, and for some conditions, they may need to bring proof to the next court date.
- Own recognizance: They’re released without paying bail.
In custody, waiting for next court date
NEED TO KNOW
- Your loved one’s lawyer will discuss all available options for their case. In some cases, this may include diversion programs.
- Unless their attorney suggests waiving time for their hearing:
- For misdemeanor charges, their trial may happen within 30 days of arraignment (if they’re in custody).
- For felony charges, their preliminary hearing may happen within 10 court days.
- During court dates before the trial, your loved one may or may not be offered a plea bargain by the prosecutor.
- Until the case is resolved or goes to trial, they may have one or more pretrial hearings.
- At each court date, the lawyer will explain what is happening in their case. Most cases are resolved and don’t go to trial.
- If you are looking for your loved one in custody, you can search which county jail they’re at and find visiting hours.
Preparing for a trial
NEED TO KNOW
- Some trials can be very short, while others can be much longer. The lawyer will let your loved one know what to expect.
NEED TO DO
- Your loved one must show up for every court date, before and during trial.
- They will be transported by law enforcement while in custody.
- They should follow their lawyer’s guidance on what to say and do (and not say and do) in court.
OUT OF CUSTODY
Arrested by law enforcement
NEED TO KNOW
- You’re innocent until proven guilty.
Booked at police station
NEED TO KNOW
- Booking can take several hours.
- You’ll be fingerprinted, searched and background-checked.
- Personal items you’re carrying are taken and stored.
- After booking, a judge may decide if you’re eligible for
- money bail.
- release without bail.
- or if you don’t qualify for release for some other reason.
- The judge decides whether bail is needed based on
- the alleged offense.
- any past offenses.
- any past failures to appear in court.
- If no bail is needed, you’ll have to promise to return to court for arraignment.
- You may also be asked to avoid certain
- places (stay-away orders).
- people (restraining orders).
- If bail is required and paid, you can be released as long as there’s no other reason to hold you in custody.
- If bail is required and not paid, you’ll have to stay in custody.
NEED TO DO
- Obey all laws and follow all instructions, including showing up to court.
- Don’t forget to keep track of all paperwork received. This can be
- a citation (Notice to Appear).
- bail paperwork.
- any other papers you receive.
- Have questions? You may want to contact the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office before your court date.
Released, awaiting arraignment
NEED TO KNOW
- Arraignment is the first court hearing.
- Your arraignment court date will likely occur 30-45 days after law enforcement contact.
- Call the JCOD Support Center at 833-LAC-JCOD. You may be offered services that could help you, such as
- help finding housing.
- help finding a job.
- substance use support.
- mental health support.
- transportation to court.
- care management.
NEED TO DO
- Make sure you know where you’re going. Double-check your court date and time, plus which courthouse your hearing is in.
- If you don’t know your court date, call 833-LAC-JCOD and we’ll help.
- To find a place to park, type in your courthouse address on a parking service website.
- Make sure you’re there before 8:30 a.m., and plan for extra time for arrival and security screening.
- Be ready to stay in the courthouse all day. Courts run from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with a lunch break from 12-1:30 p.m.
- Don’t bring any sharp objects or sprays, or anything that can be seen as a weapon. The courthouses have metal detectors.
- If there’s an emergency and you can’t go to court, follow these steps.
- If your citation doesn’t list the courtroom for your hearing, look for screens or kiosks in the courthouse or ask at the public defender’s office.
- Once you find your courtroom, check in with the bailiff.
RESOURCES
Arraignment court
NEED TO KNOW
- You must show up at court on the date and time it is scheduled.
- You can plead not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Your lawyer will help you figure out the best plea for your case and advise you of any consequences.
- Arraignments move fast because many other cases will be heard that day. Listen carefully for the court staff or bailiff to call your name.
- If you don’t hear your case announced, it may have been switched to another day. Check with the bailiff or court staff for more information.
- After arraignment, find out your case number from your lawyer so you can sign up for court reminders.
- If you don’t know your case number, call 833-LAC-JCOD for help.
POSSIBLE DECISIONS
- If you were released from custody after booking, the judge will decide whether you can stay out of custody.
- At each court hearing, the judge may decide whether to increase, decrease or remove bail. If you’re released on your own recognizance or pay bail, you must return for all future court dates unless instructed otherwise by your lawyer or the court.
- You may need to follow certain conditions of release depending on the type of release you’re given.
Release options:
- Own recognizance: You’re released without paying bail.
- You must return for all future court dates.
- Conditional release: You’re released after promising to follow certain conditions of release, like avoiding certain places (stay-away orders) or people (restraining orders), participating in the electronic monitoring program or other conditions.
- You must return for all future court dates.
- You must fulfill all the conditions, and for some conditions you may need to bring proof to the next court date.
IF YOU DON’T SHOW UP
- This is called a failure to appear, and it’s very serious.
- A warrant is put out for your arrest, and you can end up back in custody.
- It can hurt the outcome of your case.
- If you’ve paid bail to the court and fail to appear, you give up your right to get your money back.
- If there’s an extreme emergency and you can’t show up for the court date:
- Call the courthouse where your hearing is scheduled and let them know right away.
- Call the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office to connect with a lawyer.
- If you can’t contact the courthouse or your lawyer ahead of time, you can also send a family member to court to let them know what happened and ask for a different court date.
- If you’ve already missed your court hearing, call your lawyer right away. If you don’t know your lawyer’s name, call the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office to find out their contact info.
Released, waiting for next court date
NEED TO KNOW
- Your lawyer will discuss with you all available options for your case. In some cases, this may include diversion programs.
- Unless your lawyer suggests waiving time for your hearing:
- For misdemeanor charges, your trial may happen within 45 days of arraignment (if you’re out of custody).
- For felony charges, your preliminary hearing may happen within 10 court days.
- During court dates before the trial, you may or may not be offered a plea bargain by the prosecutor.
- Until the case is resolved or goes to trial, you may have one or more pretrial hearings.
- At each court date, your lawyer will explain what is happening in the case. Most cases are resolved and don’t go to trial.
- It’s important to show up for all court hearings.
- If you don’t show up or show up late, the court can take you into custody even if you posted bail or followed all the conditions of your release.
NEED TO DO
- Keep in contact with your lawyer all through the process.
- If you think you will be late or miss a court date, let your lawyer know immediately.
- If your lawyer or the JCOD Justice Connect Support Center contacts you by phone or email, respond quickly so they can best help you.
Preparing Your Case
NEED TO KNOW
- Some trials can be very short, while others can be much longer. Your lawyer will let you know what to expect.
NEED TO DO
- Show up for every court date, before and during trial.
- Follow your lawyer’s guidance on what to say and do in court.
Go back to the start