Valley Jail Section (Van Nuys Station)

How Do Phone Calls Work at the Valley Jail Section?

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

California law gives an arrested person at least three completed phone calls, immediately after booking and no later than three hours after arrest, except where it is physically impossible. LAPD's plan says the same. Local calls are free, and calls to a lawyer are not monitored. Our page does not confirm that the public can call in.

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What calls does someone get after an arrest in Van Nuys?

Penal Code 851.5 says an arrested person has the right to at least three completed phone calls. They must be allowed immediately upon booking, and no later than three hours after arrest, except where that is physically impossible. LAPD's own custody plan says the same, and that the sign explaining the three calls must be posted.

The calls can go to an attorney or public defender, a bail agent, or a relative or other person. Calls within the local calling area are free. Calls outside it are at the person's own expense.

The mirror of the statute we read is a secondary source, so use it as a guide and not as legal advice.

Who should the person call first?

Most scared people call a parent or partner. That is natural, but it helps to have a plan. A person at the Valley Jail Section has a limited number of calls and little time to explain.

A short list helps. Put the numbers on paper, because many people do not remember phones by heart now. The family member who gets the call can then call a lawyer, or call us at (213) 725-2815 to talk about a bond.

Calls to an attorney, religious advisor or physician are not monitored or recorded, says LAPD's plan. Other calls may be, so the person should not talk about the case on the phone.

What should I do when the jail calls me?

Stay calm and write things down. Ask for these details.

Full legal name and date of birth.
The charge, if they know it.
The booking number.
Any health needs, such as medicine.

Tell them not to discuss the case. Then look the person up using our inmate search page. If the call came on a collect or recorded line, the number may not show up again, so write down what you can.

Can a custodial parent get extra calls?

Yes. Penal Code 851.5 lets a custodial parent request two additional free local calls to arrange child care. If your loved one has kids at home in the Valley and nobody is watching them, they should ask for these calls as soon as they are booked.

This is an easy right to miss in the stress of arrest. If you speak to the person, remind them of it.

Can I call into the Valley Jail Section and talk to my person?

LAPD's pages we reviewed do not say that the public can call a person directly in an LAPD jail. We will not claim they can. You can call the jail desk at (818) 374-9645 to ask a question, and you can use (213) 473-6100 for location information.

After a move to the county jails, phones run through an outside vendor chosen by LASD, and LASD says people who have not been housed yet cannot receive calls. We do not have rate or account steps from official pages, so check the LASD page and our pages for the Inmate Reception Center. Women moved to Lynwood are covered on the CRDF page.

How do I keep the calls useful?

Tell your person to stay brief, give you the facts you need, and hang up. The jail may be loud and busy, and the call can end without warning. Save the number that called you if you can.

Do not argue or ask a lot of questions about the arrest. Ask where they are, whether they are hurt, and whether they have medicine they need. Then act on what you learn. Our bail guide helps you plan the next move.

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

How many calls does an arrested person get?

At least three completed calls under Penal Code 851.5, within three hours of arrest, unless it is physically impossible.

Are the calls free?

Calls inside the local calling area are free. Calls outside that area are at the person's own expense.

Are calls to a lawyer recorded?

LAPD's plan says calls to an attorney, religious advisor or physician are not monitored or recorded.

Can a bail agent be one of the three calls?

Yes. The person may call an attorney, a bail agent, or a relative or other person.

Can I call the person at Van Nuys?

LAPD's pages do not say so. Call the jail at (818) 374-9645 and ask.

More about Valley Jail Section (Van Nuys 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.