Topanga Community Police Station
What Happens After an Arrest at Topanga Station?
By Jane Un, licensed bail agent #1843448. Updated October 29, 2026.
A person arrested by Topanga Station is usually booked at the Valley Jail Section in Van Nuys. LAPD takes bail around the clock, and a bond is how most families pay it. If the person stays in custody, arraignment typically follows within about 48 hours, then LASD county jail. Call to confirm where they are.
From arrest to booking and bail
- ArrestTopanga Station officers take the person to a jail.
- BookingUsually the Valley Jail Section in Van Nuys.
- CallsAt least three completed calls within three hours of arrest.
- Bail postedTaken around the clock. The jail checks for other holds.
- ArraignmentTypically within 48 hours unless a weekend or holiday applies.
- County jailIf still held, the person goes to LASD custody.
What happens after a Topanga Station arrest?
Topanga Station is at 21501 Schoenborn St. in Canoga Park, part of the Valley Bureau. Its official area covers Canoga Park, West Hills, Winnetka and Woodland Hills. A family here can be a long drive from the jail, so it pays to plan.
The arrest leads to booking at a jail, not at the station desk. Booking is the intake. Staff record the person and the charge and place belongings in a property bag. The person then gets phone calls. LAPD says at least three completed calls must be allowed, no later than three hours after the arrest.
Which jail do Topanga Station arrests usually go to?
Usually the Valley Jail Section, at 6240 Sylmar Ave. in Van Nuys. Its number is (818) 374-9645. LAPD can send people to another jail and does not publish a station to jail chart. Call before you drive, because a wrong trip costs hours.
You can also call the county line at (213) 473-6100 or try the online lookup. A new booking may not show for about 2 hours. Our Topanga Station page lists local pages for the area, and the guide to whether bail money is returned explains what happens to bail money later.
What should we have ready before calling a bail agent?
A good call is short and clear. Have these ready.
- The person's full legal name and date of birth.
- The jail, the booking number and the charge, if you have them.
- The bail amount, if the jail gave one.
- Your own photo ID, because the person who signs is the co-signer.
You can call us at (213) 725-2815, or fill in our online application. If you only have a name, call anyway. We can often help you find the rest.
When can bail be posted, and does the person walk out right away?
LAPD says its jails take bail around the clock. A bond must be checked, and the jail may find another hold or warrant. After that, staff finish release paperwork. We cannot promise a time. See what happens after bail is posted at the Valley Jail Section and how bail is set at the Valley Jail Section for the steps and the schedule.
The premium is 10% of the bail, or 8% in certain cases. Our 1% down option on approved credit starts with 1% of the bail down, and the rest is paid on a plan. It is not the whole price.
What happens at arraignment and the move to county jail?
Arraignment is the first court date. The court's schedule says it typically comes within 48 hours of arrest unless there is a holiday or a weekend. The court location depends on where the arrest happened and the charge, and the jail can tell you.
People still in custody after arraignment are remanded to the Sheriff's Department. Men are usually processed at the Inmate Reception Center and women are held at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood. LASD does not notify families about a move, so call (213) 473-6100. Bail can still be posted after a move, but you may need to travel to a different building. Ask the jail before you leave home, and keep a copy of every bond paper you are given.
One more thing for families in the west Valley. Plan the trip before you go. Van Nuys can be a long drive from Canoga Park and Woodland Hills, so call the jail first and bring your own photo ID.
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
Do I go to Topanga Station or the jail?
Go to neither before you call. Bail is usually posted at the jail where the person was booked.
Can someone else sign for the bond?
A co-signer signs the bond paperwork. It does not have to be the person who called, but approval is required.
What if the person is not at Van Nuys?
LAPD may move people. Call the county line at (213) 473-6100 and ask.
Can I visit after booking?
LAPD jails allow short visits, and the watch commander can cancel them. Call the jail first.
More about Topanga Community Police Station
Sources
Jane Un Bail Bonds is a private bail agent licensed by the California Department of Insurance, License #1843448. We are not part of LAPD, LASD or the courts. Rules change, so check the official source before you go.