South L.A., Los Angeles
Central-Alameda Bail Bonds, South Los Angeles
By Jane Un, licensed bail agent #1843448. Updated October 29, 2026.
If a family member was arrested in Central-Alameda, the downtown jails are only a few miles away, and so are we. Call (213) 725-2815, any hour. We are a licensed California bail agent and we will help you start right now.
You can begin with 1% down on approved credit through Bail Today, Pay Later. The full premium still applies, and we explain every number before you sign.
Central-Alameda at a glance
| LAPD Area | Newton |
|---|---|
| LAPD station | Newton Community Police Station, 3400 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011 |
| Usually booked at | Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) |
| Courthouse, usually | Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
| ZIP codes | 90011, 90058 |
| Women | Century Regional Detention Facility, Lynwood |
Newton Division, right on Central Avenue
Central-Alameda is covered by the LAPD Newton Division. The station is at 3400 South Central Avenue, on the very street that gives the neighborhood its name. Newton covers an industrial and residential mix, and it sits near the edge of the city of Vernon, which has its own police department.
People arrested by LAPD here are usually booked at the Metropolitan Detention Center downtown. LAPD can move people, so call to confirm. A Vernon arrest is different and may start in Vernon. See the Newton station page and the MDC page.
Central Avenue's history, and its streets today
Central Avenue is known for its place in Los Angeles jazz and Black history, and many families here have roots going back generations. Alameda Street and Vernon Avenue carry trucks and workers to the factories and warehouses nearby. Daytime calls often involve work sites, buses and the corner stores along those streets.
Police calls in a neighborhood like this can range from traffic stops to disputes to warrants. If your family member was arrested on a warrant, bail may already be set. Tell us what you know. Read how much is bail in California for how amounts are set.
A short ride to the jail
The MDC at 180 North Los Angeles Street is about three miles north of the Newton station. Take Central Avenue or Alameda Street north, or the 10 or the 110, into the Civic Center. At night it is a ten minute drive. On weekdays, the Civic Center streets are crowded.
Transit works too. Metro buses run along Central and Alameda, and the A Line runs nearby along Long Beach Avenue toward downtown. Parking near the jail is easiest in a garage.
Cost, in plain numbers
The premium is 10% of the bail on our filed rate. With a private attorney, or a veteran defendant or co-signer, it is 8%. You begin with 1% down on approved credit and pay the rest monthly.
- On $5,000 bail, the premium is $500 and 1% down is $50.
- On $22,000 bail, the premium is $2,200 and 1% down is $220.
- On $100,000 bail, the premium is $10,000 and 1% down is $1,000.
Use the calculator for your own case, and read 1% down versus 10% bail.
Many co-signers work in warehouses and shops
A co-signer needs ID and proof of income. In Central-Alameda, many co-signers work in factories, warehouses, garment shops, trucking and day jobs, and some are paid in cash or by the week. Do not assume you cannot qualify. Call us and tell us how you are paid, and we will tell you what may be accepted.
Read co-signer responsibilities before you sign. Spanish speakers can ask for a Spanish speaking agent. Our resources directory lists public defenders, court self help centers and legal aid, all free.
Courts downtown
For downtown bookings, the first court appearance is usually at the arraignment court on Bauchet Street. Felony cases go on to the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on West Temple Street. Write down every date. Missing one can put the bond at risk, so read missed court dates.
After arraignment, some people stay in custody and move to the county jails. Use the inmate locator or call 213-473-6100 to find them.
Neighbors and special programs
We also help families in South Park and Florence. You can apply at /apply/ in about four minutes, with no Social Security number typed online.
Qualifying pregnant women, eight months or more, non-violent charge, bail of $50,000 or less, with a working co-signer, may get free bail, premium waived, subject to approval. The county women's jail, Century Regional, is in Lynwood, not far from here. If you do not qualify, ask anyway. We are often able to help. See the program page and pregnant in jail.
Waiting is the hardest part. Families usually spend the first night on the phone, then the next day at work or school with no sleep. We cannot shorten the jail's process, but we can keep you informed and make the paperwork easy. Ask us anything. There is no wrong question, and nobody here will judge you or your family for calling.
Keep your phone charged, and keep a list of names and numbers in one place. When the person is released, they will need a ride, a meal and a place to rest. Plan those before the call comes in, if you can.
1% down is a down payment on approved credit, not the price of the bond. The premium is the rate on file with the California Department of Insurance, 10% of the bail amount, or 8% when a private attorney is retained or you or the defendant is a veteran. The balance goes on a payment plan.
Questions people ask
Which station covers Central-Alameda?
LAPD Newton Division, at 3400 S. Central Avenue.
Where will they be held?
Usually the MDC downtown. LAPD can move people, so call to confirm. A Vernon arrest may start in Vernon.
Can I qualify if I am paid in cash?
Call us. Tell us how you are paid and we will explain what proof may be accepted.
Is 1% down the full price?
No. It is a starting payment on approved credit. The full premium is 10%, or 8% in some cases.
How far is the jail?
About three miles from the Newton station, a short drive or bus ride.
Nearby neighborhoods
More in South L.A., or see every Los Angeles neighborhood.