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California InmateInformation Services

Resource

Infographics

Quick visual summaries of the steps after an arrest in California. Each one is a general overview, not legal advice; local practices vary.
  • Five steps: search the county sheriff's inmate locator, have the full legal name and date of birth, note the booking number, check the arraignment date, and learn release options.

    How to find someone after an arrest

    The five steps most families take in the first day, from the sheriff's search to release options.

  • Checklist: full legal name, date of birth, county or city of arrest, arresting agency, booking number, arrest date and time. State prison uses CDCR, federal uses BOP, immigration uses ICE.

    Information that helps you locate an inmate

    A checklist of the details that make inmate searches reliable, and which locator to use for state, federal or immigration custody.

  • Flow chart: arrest, booking, bail set by schedule or judge, then cash bail, bail bond or own recognizance release, and attend every court date.

    How bail works in California

    How bail is set and the three common paths to release: cash bail, a bail bond, or own-recognizance release.

  • Timeline: arrest and booking, arraignment, pretrial conferences, preliminary hearing for felonies, trial, and sentencing.

    California criminal court timeline

    The usual stages of a criminal case, from arraignment to sentencing.

For details, see our articles and county guides.