Central L.A., Los Angeles

Bail Bonds in Chinatown, Los Angeles

By Jane Un, licensed bail agent #1843448. Updated October 29, 2026.

If someone you love was arrested in Chinatown, you are probably holding a phone and trying to work out who to call first. Call us. We are a licensed California bail agent, and our office at 900 Avila St is a short walk from the downtown jails.

We answer at (213) 725-2815 all day and all night. Tell us the full name, where you think they are held, and the charge if you know it. We will walk you through what comes next, one step at a time.

You can start with 1% down on approved credit through our Bail Today, Pay Later plan. The full premium is still owed, and we explain it plainly before you sign anything.

Chinatown at a glance

Where Chinatown arrests usually go

Chinatown is covered by the LAPD Central Division. The station sits on East 6th Street, a short drive south of Chinatown, near Skid Row and the Civic Center. Officers there can book people at the station, but arrests in this part of town usually end up at the Metropolitan Detention Center on North Los Angeles Street. LAPD can move people between facilities, so a quick call to confirm is always smart.

Our Central Division station page has the front desk details. Our MDC page covers bail posting and visiting rules at the jail itself.

A very short trip to the jail

This is one of the easiest neighborhoods in the city for getting to a booking jail. Chinatown and the jail area are both in ZIP 90012. From Chinatown Central Plaza you can reach the MDC in a few minutes by car, or by rail on the A Line from the Chinatown station toward Union Station and then a short walk.

Street parking near the jail fills up on weekdays, because the courts and city offices are right there. If you drive, expect to circle the block or pay for a lot. If the person is held in the middle of the night, the streets are quieter and the process is mostly about waiting on paperwork, not traffic.

Dodger games, festivals and late nights

Chinatown has a lot of foot traffic from the Los Angeles State Historic Park, the galleries, the restaurants and the crowds heading up to Dodger Stadium. On big nights, arrests for drinking in public, disturbing the peace and drunk driving go up in every city, and ours is no different. If your family member was picked up after a game or a night out, ask us about the charge and the bail amount before you panic. Many first-time misdemeanor arrests come with a smaller bail than people fear.

If the arrest was for suspected drunk driving, read our guide on pre-arraignment release without cash bail. Some people are released on a promise to appear, and that changes what you need from us.

What 1% down looks like on common bail amounts

Bail is set by a county schedule, and the amount depends on the charge. The premium we charge is 10% of the bail, the filed rate. It drops to 8% when a private attorney is retained or when the defendant or co-signer is a veteran. Starting with 1% down on approved credit lets a family get moving, with the balance on a monthly plan.

• On a $10,000 bail, 10% is $1,000, and 1% down is $100.
• On a $25,000 bail, 10% is $2,500, and 1% down is $250.
• On a $50,000 bail, 10% is $5,000, and 1% down is $500.

Approval depends on credit and a co-signer, and your numbers may differ. You can run your own figures in our bail calculator, or read how 1% down differs from the 10% premium.

Which court hears the case

For downtown bookings, the first appearance usually happens in the arraignment court on Bauchet Street, next to the Inmate Reception Center. Felony cases then move to the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on West Temple Street. We can help you find the date once you give us a name. Our guide on finding someone in jail shows how to use the sheriff's online inmate locator or call 213-473-6100.

If you cannot afford a private lawyer, a public defender is assigned in court. Our free resources directory lists public defenders, court self help centers and legal aid.

Language and family help

Chinatown families often include grandparents and parents who feel more comfortable in Cantonese, Mandarin or Vietnamese. We cannot promise a specific language on every call, but you are welcome to tell us what you need and we will try to connect you with the right person. Spanish speakers can ask for a Spanish speaking agent.

If a pregnant woman is in custody, tell us right away. Qualifying pregnant women, eight months or more, with bail of $50,000 or less on a non-violent charge and a working co-signer with proof of income, may get free bail, meaning the premium is waived, subject to approval. If you do not qualify, ask anyway. We are often able to help. Read our pregnancy program page for the full terms.

Start the paperwork from your phone

You do not have to come in to begin. Our online surety application at /apply/ takes about four minutes and does not ask for a Social Security number online. A co-signer, usually a parent, spouse or close friend, will need ID and some proof of income, like a recent pay stub.

Not sure what a co-signer takes on? Our guide to co-signer responsibilities is written in plain English. Nearby, we also cover Lincoln Heights and Pico-Union.

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.

Nearby neighborhoods

• Boyle Heights
• Downtown
• Echo Park
• Elysian Park
• Lincoln Heights

More in Central L.A., or see every Los Angeles neighborhood.