Booking & Bail / Arraignment (FAQ)

Booking / Bail

• Police will transport you to the police station for booking. During  booking, you will be fingerprinted, questioned, searched, photographed, inventoried, and then held in custody, likely in a group jail cell.  Many first time arrestees find booking to be a very tramatic experience and are surprised how they are treated like a “common criminal.”
• You are entitled to a phone call. You can call us at 415.493.8677 anytime for representation.
• If bail is an option, you will need someone to come to the station to post bail for your release. If you cannot afford bail, you may need to use a bail bondsman. You can contact Beahm Law to assist in your immediate release. We have a list of reliable bail bondsman and can contact them on your behalf and get you out of jail. 

Arraignment

• Arraignment is the first court appearance in a criminal matter. Your attorney, if you have retained one, will have an opportunity to hear the charges, receive the police reports, and receive additional evidence in the possession of the District Attorney. You will receive a formal complaint from the prosecution. You will have an opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. If you have any control over the matter, (i.e. you aren’t still wearing what you were arrested in) wear something nice.
• The court will also make a determination regarding whether to set bail. Most of the time, if you are accused of a misdemeanor or an infraction, you will simply be released on your own recognizance or with a nominal bail amount. If you are accused of a felony, you are probably looking at a significant bail and may require a bail bondsman in order to make bail. In many cases, Beahm Law can appear at your arraignment without your attendance.