Inmate Reception Center (IRC)

How Is Bail Set for Someone at the Inmate Reception Center (IRC)?

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

Los Angeles County uses a court bail schedule. The 2026 felony schedule took effect January 1, 2026. Many low level arrests now have $0 bail before arraignment. To find the number, call LASD at (213) 473-6100 or ask the jail. Arraignment typically happens within 48 hours, except weekends and holidays.

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How is bail amount decided for someone booked at the IRC?

The IRC is where many county arrests are booked, so this is where the bail question often starts. Bail comes from the Los Angeles Superior Court bail schedule. The court calls its current felony list the 2026 Felony Bail Schedule, effective January 1, 2026. It lists a base amount for each charge. Enhancements add to it, and the schedule has a worksheet for adding it all up.

Wobblers, which can be a felony or a misdemeanor, are in the misdemeanor schedule. We could not confirm the current misdemeanor schedule link, so check lacourt.ca.gov or ask the jail. A felony charge that is not listed defaults to $0 bail.

Is bail always required at the IRC?

No. Since October 1, 2023, the Pre-Arraignment Release Protocol has governed who can go home before arraignment without paying. Arrests are sorted into three groups.

CR, cite and release. Released on a promise to appear, $0 bail.
BR, book and release. Also a promise to appear, $0 bail.
MR, magistrate review. A magistrate decides.

Some charges are not eligible for $0 release, including capital offenses, Penal Code 1270.1 offenses and offenses with 1269b(e) enhancements. Someone on felony probation, parole or PRCS, or with three or more recent failures to appear, is sent to a magistrate. See our guide on pre-arraignment release.

How do I find the bail amount for an IRC booking?

Ask the jail. Call LASD at (213) 473-6100, and have the full name and date of birth. You can also look at the court schedule for the charge. We do not know whether the LASD lookup shows bail, so do not rely on it. Our page on finding someone at the IRC covers the lookup.

Note that the pre-arraignment amount does not bind the judge at arraignment. The number can change then.

Can bail at the IRC be lowered?

Before arraignment, yes, in some cases. The court says an attorney, friend or family member may ask a magistrate for a lower release or release on own recognizance. Call the court's Pre-Arraignment Support Unit at (213) 633-6350 within two hours of booking. It is available 24 hours. This does not apply to Penal Code 1270.1 offenses. Police may also ask to raise bail in the same window.

Arraignment typically occurs within 48 hours of arrest unless there is a holiday or a weekend. At that hearing a lawyer can ask the judge to review bail. The court cites In re Humphrey (2021), which says release cannot depend solely on ability to pay.

What does a bail bond cost at the IRC?

If money bail is set, a bond from a licensed agent costs a premium that is set by the agent's rate filed with the California Department of Insurance. See our guide on how much bail costs in California. We are not LASD, and we cannot see charges or holds ahead of time, so we confirm the bail with the jail.

Use the calculator on this page for a quick figure once you know the bail.

Start with 1% of the bail amount down on approved credit. The premium is set by our filed rate, and the rest goes on a payment plan. See how 1% down works or apply online. We are a licensed private bail agent, not part of LASD, and approval is required.

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

Where do I find the LA bail schedule?

The court posts the 2026 Felony Bail Schedule as a PDF, and copies are at lacourt.ca.gov.

Does every arrest need bail?

No. Eligible arrests get $0 bail before arraignment under the Pre-Arraignment Release Protocol.

Can I ask for bail to be lowered before court?

Yes in many cases. Call the Pre-Arraignment Support Unit at (213) 633-6350 within two hours of booking.

When is the first court date?

Arraignment typically happens within 48 hours of arrest, unless there is a holiday or weekend.

More about Inmate Reception Center (IRC)

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.