Men's Central Jail
How Much Is Bail at Men's Central Jail?
By Jane Un, licensed bail agent #1843448. Updated October 29, 2026.
Bail at Men's Central Jail follows the LA County Superior Court bail schedule, which adds enhancements to a base amount for each charge. The current felony schedule took effect January 1, 2026. To find a figure, ask the jail at (213) 473-6100 or read the schedule. Many low level arrests are released before arraignment with $0 bail.
Work out the 1% down payment
How is bail set for someone held at MCJ?
MCJ holds adult men in LASD custody, some waiting for court and some serving time. For a man waiting on a case, bail starts with a countywide schedule from the LA Superior Court. The 2026 Felony Bail Schedule is a 30 page PDF, with the penal code listings beginning on page 12.
The amount is a base bail plus enhancements. A worksheet on page 11 shows how to add them. Felony and misdemeanor lists are separate, and the court says wobblers fall under the misdemeanor schedule. We could not confirm the current misdemeanor schedule link, so ask the court.
Where do I find his bail amount?
The most reliable route is the jail. Call (213) 473-6100 with his name and date of birth. LASD's online lookup is useful for the booking number, but we have not confirmed that it shows bail, so do not count on it. Our inmate search page covers the lookup.
The schedule gives the starting figure for the charge, but the judge can set something different at arraignment. A figure you read online is a guide, not a promise.
Can he be released with no bail at all?
Sometimes. Since October 1, 2023, the court's Pre-Arraignment Release Protocol decides who is released with no conditions, released with non financial conditions or held until arraignment. Arrestees in the cite and release and book and release groups are released on a promise to appear, at $0 bail.
Not eligible are capital offenses, offenses under Penal Code 1270.1 and offenses with certain enhancements. People on felony probation, parole or PRCS, or with 3 or more recent failures to appear, go to a magistrate. Read our pre-arraignment release guide for the plain language version.
Can the amount be lowered before court?
Yes, in some cases. Under Penal Code 1269c, an attorney, friend or family member can ask a magistrate for a lower release amount, or release without bail, by calling the court's Pre-Arraignment Support Unit at (213) 633-6350 within two hours of booking. The unit is available 24 hours.
This is not available for Penal Code 1270.1 offenses, and police can ask to raise bail in the same window. The court also cites In re Humphrey, which says release cannot depend only on a person's ability to pay.
When does the judge look at it?
Arraignment typically happens within 48 hours of arrest, unless a holiday or weekend gets in the way. Pre-arraignment amounts do not bind the judge. If money bail stands, the cost of a bond is a premium, not the full bail, and 1% down on approved credit is how some families start. Our bail amount guide has more.
Call us at (213) 725-2815 and we will help you work out the next step.
What happens after the first bail amount?
The first amount is often only a starting point. At arraignment a judge hears the case and can keep, raise, lower or remove bail. His attorney or public defender is the person who speaks to that. If he does not have one, the court will address it, and our resources page lists public defender and legal aid contacts.
If bail was already posted and later changes, call us. We can explain what happens to the bond.
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
What is the current LA felony bail schedule?
The LA Superior Court 2026 Felony Bail Schedule, effective January 1, 2026.
Is bail always set before arraignment?
No. Many eligible arrestees are released on a promise to appear at $0 bail.
Who can ask for a lower amount before arraignment?
An attorney, friend or family member can call (213) 633-6350 within two hours of booking.
How soon does a judge review bail?
Arraignment typically occurs within 48 hours of arrest, unless there is a holiday or weekend.
Does a bond cost the full bail?
No. The cost is a premium, usually 10% of the bail at our filed rate, and 8% in some cases. 1% down is only the start of a payment plan, not the price.
More about Men's Central Jail
- Bail at Men's Central Jail
- Inmate search
- Visiting
- Send money
- Phone calls
- Property release
- Release after bail
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.